Portugal Tourist Visa: Portugal Visa Requirements For US Citizens

Portugal is one of the most scenic and exciting countries in all of Europe. From the famous cobblestone streets of Lisbon to the volcanic beaches of the Azores, Portugal is much more than Port and Pasteis de Nata. However, before you can submit your Portuguese Tourist Visa application and attend your Portugal visa appointment at the closest Portuguese Embassy, there's a couple of things you'll need to know from Portugal visa requirements to Portugal visa processing time.

Portuguese Tourist Visa At A Glance

Portugal forms part of the Schengen Area, and as such, a Portugal Tourist Visa is known as a Schengen Tourist Visa.

Citizens from countries outside the EU may need to acquire a Schengen Visa before traveling to Portugal. EU, US, & UK citizens do not need a Schengen Visa when traveling to Portugal for 90 days or less.The main details of this visa are as follows:

Portugal Schengen Visa Fees: Portuguese Schengen Visa Fees differ from country to country but for most countries, it's EU 80.00.

Portugal Schengen Visa Processing Time: In normal circumstances, a Portuguese Schengen Visa can take up to 21 days. However, the Portugal visa processing time can take as long as 30 days, depending on the number of Portugal visa applications being processed.

Portugal Schengen Visa Requirements: To apply for a Schengen Visa To Portugal, an applicant will need a complete Flight Itinerary, a full Hotel Itinerary, as well as various other Portugal visa requirements that we'll discuss in detail in this article.

How To Get Your Portugal Schengen Visa Quickly?

If you don't want to read through this extensive guide on Portugal Schengen Visas, or if you don't want to spend hours filling and completing paperwork - don't worry, you are not alone. That's what the Atlys, the leader in visa services is for! With Atlys, you can immediately start your next Portugal Tourist Visa application and have it completed in a fraction of the time.

What Is A Portugal Schengen Tourist Visa?

A Portuguese tourist visa is a travel document that will allow the holder to gain entry into Portugal for several days. Holders will be allowed to visit Portugal for purposes as stated by the type of visa - in this case, "tourism."

However, because Portugal is a member of the Schengen Area, you will actually apply for a Schengen Tourist Visa for Portugal or a Portuguese Schengen visa. There is absolutely no difference between these two visas. They are essentially the same travel document that is sometimes named differently.

Apart from the country where you are applying to - in this case, Portugal - a Portuguese Schengen Visa also grants you access to all the countries in the Schengen Zone.

The 26 Schengen states are the following: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

When applying for a Schengen Visa, the country you spend the most time in should usually be the country where you apply for your Schengen visa. If you spend an equal amount of time in different countries, the country that is your first entry into the Schengen Zone should be the country where you apply for your Schengen Visa.

Where Should I Apply For My Portuguese Tourist Visa?

We suggest you first ascertain where you want to apply for your Schengen Visa for Portugal as this might influence how long your application will take, and therefore when you should apply. We'll provide 3 options you can choose from when determining where you should apply for your Portuguese Schengen Visa:

1. Use Atlys To Apply For your Visa EasilyAtlys does all the heavy lifting for you. Gone are the days when you have to apply for your visa the traditional way. With the Atlys app, you can effortlessly apply for your visa from the comfort of your home.

2. Apply At Your Local Portuguese Embassy or ConsulateApplying at your local Portuguese Embassy or Consulate-General Of Portugal is the more traditional way of getting your Portuguese Schengen Visa. Keep in mind that this option does involve some uncertainty and time-wasting. Unlike Atlys, there is no clear guidance from the Embassy. Forgetting a document or submitting an incomplete application form can lead to your visa being denied without you even being aware of the error until it's too late.

3. Apply Through A Visa Application Center. You'll find that the process is similar to the process of applying at your local Embassy. Keep in mind that Visa Application Centres receive a lot of visa requests. This may influence the time it takes for your visa to be processed.

It's possible to obtain your Portugal Tourist Visa no matter what option you decide to use.

When Should I Apply For A Portuguese Schengen Visa?

To ensure you are not caught unawares by last-minute problems when applying for your Portuguese Schengen Visa, we recommend that you start the application process 2 months before your intended date of departure.

Typically, a Schengen Visa Application for Portugal takes a minimum of 14 calendar days to process, but in some extreme cases, the Portugal visa processing time has been as long as 45 days.

How Much Is The Portuguese Schengen Visa Fee?

Schengen visa fees depend on the nationality applying for the Schengen Visa. As such, citizens from India will need to pay more than citizens from South Africa. For this reason, contact your nearest Portugal Embassy to find out exactly what the Schengen Visa Fee will be.

That being said, we have gathered an average Schengen Visa fee, and most applicants can expect to pay as follows:

For an adult - €80For children between the age of 6 - 12 years - €40For children younger than 6 years - Free

Note that paying the visa application fee doesn't guarantee a successful visa application. Instead, the fee you're paying is for the service provided by the Embassy. Also, the payment for your Portuguese Schengen Visa is non-refundable.

Fees are liable to change, and we suggest you contact your nearest Embassy or Consulate-General of Portugal to determine the exact fee.

Who Needs A Portuguese Schengen Visa?

As mentioned before, Portugal is part of the European Union and part of the Schengen Area, and as such, EU citizens are allowed free movement within Portugal and other European countries.

Some countries, like the USA, enjoy visa-free travel, but you'll still need to ensure that you have a valid passport and that your stay does not exceed the 90 days limit. In addition, some additional required documents may be requested upon arrival, so it's a good idea to have documents like proof of accommodation close at hand.

If EU/EEA/Swiss National:

If you are an EU, EEA, or Swiss National, you do not need a Schengen visa to visit any Schengen Area member state countries.

If Citizen Of Schengen Area Country:

If you reside in one of the Schengen Member States, you enjoy the benefits of the Schengen Agreement. Meaning, you can work, study, and live in any Schengen Member State without applying for any type of visa.

If US Citizen:

US citizens can travel to any Schengen Area country visa-free. They only stay in the Schengen Area for 90 days, within 180 days. Discover more on the Schengen 90/180 Day Rule - Schengen Rules Made Easy

If Green Card Holder:

Unfortunately, US Green Card Holders don't enjoy the same benefits of visa-free travel as US citizens. In the case of a Green Card holder, your nationality, i.e., the country of your passport, will determine if you need a Schengen Visa to Portugal or not. So if you're a US Green Card Holder with a nationality that does not qualify for visa-free travel (like India), you'll need to apply for a Portuguese Schengen Visa.

Luckily, you can do this in the US, and you're not required to travel back to your home country and apply from there. However, suppose you're in the US on a visitors visa (B1/B2 visa). In that case, you must travel back to your country of origin and apply for your Portugal Schengen Visa from there.

What Are The Visa Free Travel Requirements For Portugal?

Even if you enjoy visa-free travel to Portugal, it's still not as simple as flying to Lisbon and strolling through Portuguese border control. There are still a couple of requirements you'll need when entering Portugal visa-free.Also, please keep in mind that Portuguese Authorities have the final decision when it comes to allowing you entry into Portugal.

To make the Portuguese authorities' job easy, ensure you have the following documents with you when traveling to Portugal:

A Valid Passport: Your passport must be in good condition and valid for 3 months beyond your intended departure date back to your home country. Additionally, your passport pages must have 2 blank pages.

A Return Flight Ticket: This can be proved by presenting a return flight ticket with all of your travel dates.

Proof Of Accommodation

Proof Of Sufficient Funds: You must prove sufficient financial means of a minimum amount of €45 per day for your stay. You can present your bank statements, cash, or credit card statements to prove you have sufficient funds.

Valid Medical Insurance: Your health insurance must be valid for the duration of your trip and provide a minimum of €30,000 in coverage.

It's worth mentioning that these documents are subject to change. If you're still unsure about the requirements, contact your local Portuguese Consular for the most up-to-date information.

What Are The Required Documents For A Schengen Visa to Portugal?

To ensure that your Portugal Schengen Visa application is processed and approved, you must provide supporting documents. Here you'll find a list of all the required documents for a Portuguese Schengen Visa Application:To ensure that your German Schengen Visa application is accepted, you'll need all of the following:

A Completed Portuguese Schengen Visa Application Form: The information you provide on the form must be accurate and correct.

A Valid Passport: Your passport must be in good condition and valid for 3 months beyond the date you intend to return to your home country.

2 Passport Photos: Your 2 passport photos must meet the following requirements.

Copies Of Your Previous Visas: If you've previously traveled to the Schengen Area, make copies of those visas and submit them with your other documents.

Travel Insurance/Health Insurance: It must be valid for the duration of your trip and have a minimum coverage of at least €30,000.

Proof Of AccommodationYou must prove where you'll be staying during your trip.

Proof Of Sufficient Funds: To prove you have the financial means to support yourself during your stay, you can provide your bank statements, cash, or payslips. Note that you'll need a minimum of €45 per day when you visit Portugal.

Civil Status Document: When applying for your Schengen Visa, you must prove your civil status. You can either present a birth certificate or a marriage license to do this.

An Itinerary You can present a complete travel itinerary..

Return Flight Tickets: Use the Atlys tool to get a free flight itinerary.

Personal Cover Letter: Cover letter for Schengen visa: Your Visa request letter to the Embassy

A Clean Criminal Record: You can provide a clean criminal record that proves you're not involved in any illegal activities.In addition to the documents mentioned above, you'll need to prove your employment status.

What Are The Required Documents In Concordance With Your Employment Status?

If You're Employed you'll need an employment contract, a letter from your employer that permits you to take leave from work, your bank statements for the previous 6 months, and an Income Tax Return (ITR) Form.

If You're Self-Employed you'll need a copy of your business license, an Income Tax Return (ITR) Form, and your company's bank statements for the previous 6 months.

If You're A Student you'll need proof that of enrollment at a recognized educational institution and a letter from your educational institution that permits you to be absent from your studies.

If You're Retired you'll need a document that proves you're a retiree (or any similar document) and a pension statement of the previous 6 months.

Note, the document requirements for your Portuguese Schengen Visa may be different depending on your country of residence. Contact your local Embassy to learn about the exact documents you require.

What Type Of Travel Insurance Should I Get For A Portuguese Schengen Visa Application?

Because most Schengen countries provide public healthcare, travel insurance but not health insurance is required to obtain a Portuguese Schengen visa, to ensure that visitors don't become a financial burden on Portugal's health system in the event of unforeseen issues.

The insurance should explicitly meet these requirements:

Coverage of at least EUR 30,000.

Be valid in all 26 Schengen States: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.

Cover medical emergency expenses and anything connected with repatriation for medical reasons, urgent health attention, and/or emergency hospital treatment or death.

For those hoping to get a longer-term Schengen visa, it is advisable to provide travel insurance that lasts the whole year as per this EU directive:

"Applicants for a uniform visa for more than two entries (multiple entries) shall prove that they are in possession of adequate and valid travel medical insurance covering the period of their first intended visit.In addition, such applicants shall sign the statement, set out in the application form, declaring that they are aware of the need to be in possession of travel medical insurance for subsequent stays."

How To Complete A Visa Application For A Portuguese Schengen Visa?

A Schengen Visa Application for Portugal can take up to 13 hours to complete. When you use Atlys, the average time to complete a Portuguese Schengen Application is 5 minutes! Try Atlys now and experience a new way of dealing with visas!

The Portuguese Schengen Visa Application process can be divided into 6 steps:

Step 1: Gather All Of The Supporting Documents

Step 2: Fill Out Your Portuguese Schengen Visa Application Form

Step 3: Schedule Your Schengen Visa Appointment

Step 4: Attend Your Portuguese Schengen Visa Appointment

Step 5: Pay The Schengen Visa Fee

Step 6: Collect Your Portuguese Schengen Visa

Step 1: Gather All The Required Documents

To start with, you'll need to collect all of the required documents for your Portuguese Schengen Visa application. Therefore, we suggest that you list all the documents as numbered above. This way, you'll be certain that you have all of the required documents. In addition, this page can act as your index - to show anyone dealing with your visa application that you have all of the documents.

Please keep in mind that all documents must be either in English or Portuguese. You should get any translated document certified through a qualified Portuguese translator.

Step 2: Fill Out Your Portuguese Schengen Visa Application Form

After you've collected all of your required documents, you can start filling out your Portuguese Schengen Visa Application Form. This form must accompany all of your other required documents.

For more information on creating the perfect Schengen Visa Application,read this guide.. Check out this guide to learn about the visa application mistake you should look out for.

Step 3: Schedule Your Schengen Visa Appointment

Once you've collected all the required documents and filled out your Portuguese Schengen Visa application form, you need to schedule a Portugal visa appointment at your local Portuguese Embassy or Consulate.

This can be done by using the convenient appointment tool located at the top of this Atlys page. You can also opt to call your local Embassy to schedule an appointment. However, keep in mind that you may not always find an appointment slot to your liking. For example, your ideal time might be on a Saturday, but Monday is the only open slot available.

After you've scheduled your Portugal visa appointment, ensure that you store your documents and application form in a safe place. You'll need to submit them at your appointment.

Step 4: Attend Your Portuguese Schengen Visa Appointment

On the day of your appointment, you need to travel to your nearest embassy and attend an in-person interview with an embassy official. Follow these tips on how to ace your Schengen interview.

Naturally, during your interview, you'll be asked a few questions about your trip. Answer these questions truthfully. Furthermore, you'll have the opportunity to submit all your required documents.

After finishing the interview, embassy officials will collect your biometric data. Your biometric data consists of a digital photo and your fingerprints.

Step 5: Pay The Schengen Visa Fee

While at your Schengen Visa Appointment, you will need to pay the Visa Fee. You can expect to pay around €80 per adult and €40 for children between 6 - 12. Children under the age of 6 don't need to pay any visa fees.

Step 6: Collect Your Portuguese Schengen Visa

Once you've finished with your Portuguese Schengen Visa application, you'll need to do is wait for feedback from the Portuguese Embassy. You'll receive feedback via mail, email, or the preferred contact method you've selected. If the feedback you receive is favorable, you need to travel back to the Embassy to collect your new Portuguese Schengen Visa.

In some cases, a visa can be denied due to a small and simple mistake. If your feedback is not favorable, you won't be able to get your visa. But don't worry, you're allowed to appeal the initial visa decision. If you appeal and the decision is reversed, you can collect your Portuguese Schengen Visa at the embassy.

What Are The Photo Specifications For A Portuguese Tourist Visa Application?

The photo requirements for a Portuguese Schengen visa follow ICAO standards.

Two identical photos. Not older than six months.

Photo size: 35x45mm or 2 in x 2 in

In color. No black and white.

The Head should cover most of the photo. Portugal may make exceptions for religious reasons. Exceptions to this and the other requirements may be made in case of a permanent medical condition.

White background.

What Are The Requirements For Minors Applying For A Visa To Portugal?

If you require a Schengen visa to travel to Portugal, your children will also require a Schengen visa. Each child will need their own application. In addition to all the standard documents, you've to provide the following:

Application form signed by both parents

Birth certificate of the child

If a child is traveling alone, a notarized parental authorization is signed by both parents or guardians.

If the child travels with one of the parents, then there must be a notarized permission letter issued from the other parent. Furthermore, in case of the parents' absence (divorce, death, etc.), a relevant official certificate (i.e., divorce, death and etc.) must be presented.

Additionally, copies of IDs of parents are also required.The visa photos requirements for children vary slightly. Children aged 5 and under do not need to have a neutral expression or look directly at the camera, and their heads do not have to be centered in the photo. Babies under one year do not have to have their eyes open.