Portugal Visa Types, Requirements, and Application
Setting foot in Portugal is a golden opportunity for many people. So how many Portugal visa types are there? Is there something special about its requirements? Let’s find out in this article.
Who needs a visa to enter Portugal?
Similar to neighboring countries, Portugal visa comply with the Schengen regime. Not surprisingly, in addition to EEA member states, 🇨🇭 Switzerland and countries with visa agreements with the Schengen area, you will need a Portugal visa.
- EEA member countries include:
- Countries have visa agreements with the Schengen area include:
Portugal visa types
Portugal visa contains 3 different types which are short-stay visa, temporary stay visa and long-stay visa
Short-stay visa (Schengen visa)
These types of visa allow the holders to travel around the Schengen Area up to 90 days of a 180-day period. They are granted for some purposes as follows:
- Tourism.
- Business.
- Visiting family.
- Transiting at airports in Portugal.
It is suggested that you should apply for Portugal visa at least 15 days prior to your trip. Additionally, nationals of the following countries can pay a reduced Portugal visa fee costing only 35 euros.
There are primarily 3 types of Portugal visa for short stays, including:
- General short-stay visa.
- Seasonal work visa.
- Airport transit visa.
Temporary stay visa
This type of Portugal visa is granted for applicants wishing to live in Portugal in one year. Below are some available sorts of temporary stay visa:
- Temporary work visa.
- Study visa.
- Volunteering visa.
- Medical treatment visa.
- Self support visa: If you apply for this visa on this matter, you will need to justify that you can support yourself financially during your 12-year period of stay.
- Youth mobility visa: This special visa is only granted for people from these following countries to pursue their study, training or volunteer for a year.
Long-stay visa
In order to lodge this Portugal visa application, it is necessary to apply for a Portuguese residency permit issued by the Portuguese Immigration Service.
The regular types of long-stay Portugal visas are as follows:
- Work visa.
- Student visa.
- Family reunion visa.
- Retirement visa.
- Passive income visa: This type of visa will be granted for freelancers planning to work remotely for a foreign employer outside Portugal.
- Golden visa: This kind of visa plays a role in stimulating the investment of non-EU citizens to some extent. However, since August 2023, you have not been eligible for this visa once you own or invest in real estate in Portugal.
Portugal visa requirements
General visa requirements
These are some compulsory documents as follows when you apply for Portugal visa.
- A duly completed visa application form.
- Your passport which is expected to last at least another three months since you arrive in Portugal or other Schengen countries.
- Recently taken passport-sized pictures in the white background.
- Confirmation proof of your accommodation.
- Travel itinerary such as proof of booked flight tickets.
- A visa cover letter specifying the purpose of visiting Portugal as well as the dates of arrival and departure.
- Biographic documents including birth certificate.
- Documents showing your sufficient finance such as bank statements, payroll or bank balance.
- Civil status proofs to justify.
- Medical travel insurance covers a minimum 30,000 euros and it is expected to be valid in the Schengen Area.
If you fail to meet one criteria of Portugal visa requirements, your Portugal visa will be likely to be turned down.
Additional documents
Asides from the aforementioned documents, there are some supporting documents depending on the type of your visa.
Employed
- The work contract.
- A confirmation letter issued by your company to indicate your absence and duration of occupation.
- Bank statement which lasts at least 3 months.
- Work leave.
Freelancer/ Self-employed
- A copy of business license
- Company bank statement which lasts at least 6 months
Student
- The enrollment letter from the institution.
Retired
- Documents of pension confirmation.
Minors
- Consent form of the legal guardian or the parents.
- His/ her birth certificate.
- Copies of the legal guardians/parents’ valid passports.
How to apply for Portugal visa?
To apply for Portugal visa, you need to follow these steps one by one.
Step#1. Plan ahead
Pick a reasonable time to apply for Portugal visa. Then, you prepare your Norway visa application, including but not limited to: your duration of visa, your purpose of the stay, your type of visa and choose the nearest embassy to apply.
Step#2. Fill out visa application form
First, you should create a user account portal of the Portuguese immigration system. Then, you will complete the application form and gather the necessary documents which are tailored for your type of visa.
Step#3. Pay the fee
The fee of the Portugal visa depends on the age and nationality factors.
- The fee for adults is 80 euros.
- The fee for children aged between 6 and 12 is 40 euros.
- Children aged under 6 are exempt from visa fee.
- Azerbaijan and Russian citizens aged above 12 pay a reduced fee of 35 euros.
You pay the fee either online or in person at your chosen Embassy when being interviewed.
Step#4. Book a visa appointment
You should book a Portugal visa appointment with your application destination via online. The other alternatives of booking is phone or email though it can even take months.
Step#5. Attend your interview
You will hand in your documents to your application destination in order to finalize the decision.
Step#6. Collect your visa
Once being accepted, you will be informed by the embassy and a Portugal visa would be accompanied by your passport.