If you’re planning to visit Portugal, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the country’s entry requirements so you can apply for the appropriate visa and travel documents needed for entering the country. There are several visa options available depending on your nationality. U.S. citizens, for example, can choose from many types of visas including a visitor visa, or a student visa to name a couple. Depending on what you will be doing in Portugal (and for how long), it may be a better option to obtain one type of visa over another.

Do you need a Visa to visit Portugal? That is one of the most asked questions by people looking to travel to Europe. This often comes as a surprise, as most people believe that if you are holding a valid U.S. Passport you don’t need any other documentation to visit Europe. This is true for the entire European Union (EU). In fact, since the implementation of the Schengen Agreement in 1995, citizens of participating member countries have been able to travel freely between EU states without any passport checks.

Do I Need A Visa For Portugal

There are many different types of Portuguese visa that expats can apply for. It is possible to obtain a Portugal Tourist Visa, and then later on convert your residency status while in the country. Or you may be able to begin the immigration process immediately upon entering the country. There are however a few restrictions when entering Portugal that visitors should be aware of.

Portugal Visa Application and Entry Requirements

Portugal, the westernmost sovereign state in Europe, is also one of the oldest states in the old continent. It has a population of 10,291,027 and an area of 92,212 km2.

The Portuguese Republic is a developed country with a high-income advanced economy and high living standards. The country has a mesmerizing architecture marked by its history of invasions.

Portugal is a member of the United Nations, the European Union, NATO, as well as the Schengen Zone. It joined the latter in 1995, thus abolishing its borders with the rest of the member states.

Since then, travellers can apply for a Portuguese Schengen Visa. They can also enter the territory of Portugal and the whole Schengen holding a short-stay visa to Portugal.

Fun fact: The oldest bookshop in the world is in Portugal!

Portugal Entry Restrictions in Response to Coronavirus

Amid the Coronavirus outbreak, Italy and the rest of the EU/Schengen Area members imposed an EU-wide entry ban on third-country nationals in mid-March 2020, on the recommendation of the EU Commission. In addition, entry restrictions to Italy are frequently changing based on the COVID-19 situation in other countries.

Read “A Complete Guide to Travelling to Portugal Amid COVID-19” to get the latest updates regarding Portugal travel & entry restrictions and other measures imposed by Italian authorities.

Portugal Entry Requirements

The documents you have to present at the Portuguese port of entry depend on your nationality. If you are an EEA national, you will only need an identification document, to enter Portugal.

At the same time, if you are a non-EEA traveller wishing to visit Portugal you will need to present the following when you show up at the Portuguese port of entry:

• A valid passport or travel document. Valid for at least three more months beyond your planned date of exit from Schengen, and issued within the last 10 years.
• A visa – if you are subject to the Portuguese visa regime.

*British passport holders are exempt from the criteria of passport validity and issuance date.

Aside from these documents, the Portuguese border officer may ask you a few questions about your trip to Portugal like:

• What is your purpose of visiting Portugal?
• How long do you intend to stay in Portugal?
• Where are you going to stay in Portugal? Etc.

You may be asked for documents to support your answers, such as an invitation letter by a Portuguese host, proof of lodging or a round-trip ticket. For more information in this regard, contact the local consular services of Portuguese in your home country.

Keep in mind that the border police holds the final decision if you shall be permitted to enter Portugal or not. If the Portuguese border officer concludes that you are no risk for Portugal, upon checking your documents, you will be permitted to enter Portugal, and thus the Schengen territory.

Please, make sure that the Portuguese border officer stamps your passport when you enter Portugal. Without a stamp, you could be fined or detained from Portugal.

Who Needs a Schengen Visa to Enter Portugal?

Due to the Schengen visa policies, part of which Portugal is, you will need a visa to enter this country or any other in the Schengen zone, if:

• You are a national of a third-world country that has not reached a visa liberalization agreement with the Schengen states
• You are a national of a third-world country that has signed a visa liberalization agreement with the Schengen states, but you were previously rejected from entering Portugal or any other Schengen country.

What Documents Are Required for a Portugal Schengen Visa Application?

According to the Portugal visa requirements, you will need to submit some mandatory documents as part of your short-term Portuguese Visa application at the Portugal embassy/consulate in your country of residence. These documents are as follows:

• Portuguese visa application form. Complete the visa application form with all required information, print it and then sign it at the end. Here you can learn more How to Fill-in a Portuguese Schengen Visa Application Form without any mistakes.
• Two passport photos. The photos should be identical and comply with the photograph requirements for the Portuguese Schengen visa application.
• Your valid passport.
  • Two blank pages in order to affix the visa
  • Is not older than 10 years,
  • Has a validity of at least three more months beyond the date you plan to leave Portugal and the whole territory of Schengen.
• Copies of your previous visas. If you have ever held a visa issued by any world country, submit copies of them.
• Portugal Travel Health Insurance. Confirmation that you have travel insurance for Portugal and the whole territory of Schengen, with a minimum 30,000 € coverage of medical emergencies.

Travel medical insurance policies for foreigners travelling to Portugal that fulfil the Portuguese Visa requirements can be purchased online from Europ Assistance or AXA Assistance. Travel insurance policies issued by both companies are accepted by the Portuguese authorities worldwide. 

• Round-trip Flight Itinerary. A document that shows you have a booked flight, to enter and leave Portugal. This document should specify flight numbers, dates, and your details.
• Proof of accommodation. I.e. a hotel reservation.
• Proof of sufficient financial means for the period of stay in Portugal
• A cover letter. A personal letter in which you explain why you are applying to visit Portugal, how long you plan to stay, when will you leave and other details.
• Proof of civil status. This could be a marriage certificate, birth certificate of childre