Applying for a Visa can be quite complicated. It will be simpler if you know which type of visa you require and prepare all of the documents necessary to present to your local Portuguese consulate. See below brief descriptions of the Short Term Visa, the Temporary Stay Visa, Residence Visa and the Residence Permit in Portugal.
Please note: visa requirements can change or be different depending on the government agency you talk with. Please communicate with your local Portuguese consulate to learn their exact requirements.
Short Term & Tourist Visa
If you are travelling to Portugal and you are not a resident of one of the Visa Waiver Countries , then you will need to apply for a Short Term Visa at local Portuguese embassy or consulate in your country. Please communicate with the consulate to be certain of requirements. Following are the standard requirements:
- You have not been subject to a removal measure from the Portugal and within the ban period of entry into the national territory, following a removal from Portugal
- You do not have an alert in the Schengen Information System for purposes of refusing entry by any of the Schengen countries
- There is no indication in SEF Integrated Information System for non-admission purposes under article 33;
- You must prove that you have funds to cover your costs while staying in Portugal, as defined by decree order of the Members of the Government responsible for home affairs and social security areas
- You must have a valid travel document, such as a passport or other official document issued by your country
- You must have travel insurance for the duration of your stay.
Give the process plenty of time. Request your visa as much as two-to-four weeks in advance. This gives the consulate time before your travel to approve your vias.
Extending Stay
If you arrived in the country without a visa, but now want to stay beyond the 90-day maximum stay, you should call the SEF Contact Center to discuss your options and make your request.
Entering a Border without Border Control in Place
If you are entering Portugal by sea or across a land border and there are no border control officers on site, you are STILL required to notify Portugal Immigration within three days of entering. Those who do not need to report their entry are:
- Residents or previously authorized to stay in the country for more than six months
- Those benefiting from the Schengen community system or equivalent.
- If you stay and register with passport in a hotel establishment or equivalent.
If you do not fall into these categories, then you will need to:
- Print and fill in Form Declaration of Entry available online at Forms area
- Personally deliver the filled in form, after scheduling a meetings in a SEF’s bureau, and present passport or other valid travel document.
Learn more at the Portugal Immigration Short Stay Visa page.
Temporary Stay and Residence Visa
Temporary Stay Visas generally provide permission to stay in the county for three months beyond your tourist visa.
Note: Foreigners hoping to stay in the country as residents will need to obtain the Residence Visa first…before applying for a Residence Permit.
Various categories for application for a Temporary stay include:
- Medical care
- Transferring workers
- Professional activity in the national area
- Scientific investigation and teaching at higher education institutions
- Amateur sports activity, study programs and seasonal work.
See descriptions and requirements for each type of Temporary Stay Visa here.
Applying for the Temporary Stay Visas
Applications for the extension of stay are submitted in any SEF’s directorate or regional delegation, on a standard form, signed by the applicant or his/her legal representative, or via on-line. Documents that you will require include:
- Two recent, identical photographs, in colour with blank background, and easily identifiable (only for appointments at Aveiro or Braga SEF bureau)
- Passport or any other valid travel document
- Whenever the applicant is a minor or legally disabled person, the application should be submitted and signed by his/her legal representative
- Evidence of sufficient means of subsistence (as per the provisions of Order number 1563/2007, of 11/12)
- Evidence that the applicant has adequate accommodation
- Permission for checking criminal records, where the stay is intended to exceed 90 days (except for under 16 years old)
- Return travel ticket, or, in duly proven and well-documented situations, booking travel arrangements with clear return date, where the stay is intended to exceed 90 days
Residence Permit
A Residence Permit allows for full-time residency in Portugal. There are two types: permanent and temporary.
A Temporary Residence permit (ART) allows foreigners to reside in Portugal for a limited time. Normally it is valid for one year, and can be renewed (if the applicant provides the proper documentation ) for periods of up to two years.
A Residence Permit can be permanent (ARP), with unlimited validity. It must, however, still be renewed every five years, or every time there is a change in marital status or in the personal details of the holder. To obtain a permanent residence permit you must have had a temporary permit for five years.
There are numerous categories of Residence Permit one can apply for, such as:
- Entrepreneurial for start-ups
- Family reunification
- Education and teaching
- Dependent employment
- Independent employment
- Guidance, training and vocational retraining
- Access to health care
- Legal rights and access to the legal system
- Equal treatment, namely to social security, the tax system, goods and services, recognition of professional titles, diplomas and certificates.
Visit the SEF Residence Permit page for full descriptions and qualifications of each type of Residence Permit.
Applying for the Residence Permit
To apply for the Residence Permit, schedule an appointment with any SEF directorate or regional delegation (via an electronic platform). Submit the standard form and required documents. The documents you will need to gather include:
- Two recent, identical photographs, in color with white background, and easily identifiable (only for appointments at Odivelas, Aveiro or Braga SEF bureau)
- Passport or any other valid travel document
- Valid residence visa
- Evidence of sufficient means of subsistence (as per the provisions of Order number 1563/2007, of 11/12)
- Evidence that the applicant has adequate accommodation
- Permission for SEF to check Portuguese criminal record (except for under 16 years old)
- A document attesting to the existence of a family relationship, where applicable
- Supporting evidence of registration within Tax Authority
- Document proving that the applicant is registered with the Social Security, where applicable
- Health insurance or supporting evidence he/she is covered by the National Health Service
After reviewing your materials the directorate will make a decision and forward it to the applicant’s area of residence.
Portugal Visa Application Fees
A fee is charged when applying for a visa or permit. Fees range are different for the various types of visas or permits. Consult the SEF website for costs associated with applying for each Visa and Permit mentioned above.