Visa Requirements For Portugal: Unraveling The Entry Process

If you're planning a trip to Portugal, you may not need a visa at all. Portugal has an agreement with several countries, allowing for visa-free stays of up to 90 days. However, this only applies to tourism and does not include work, study, or retirement in Portugal. US citizens, for example, do not need a visa to visit Portugal for short periods of time, but they can't work in Portugal without a visa, or study for longer than 90 days.

If you're not an EU/EEA or Swiss citizen, you will need to apply for a visa if you intend to move to Portugal for work. Before getting a work visa, you must have a job offer from a Portuguese employer and a salary that meets the minimum requirements. You will also need to provide proof of sufficient funds to sustain yourself, as well as proof of accommodation in Portugal.

Work visas

If you are a non-EU national, you will need to apply for a work visa to work in Portugal. This involves a three-step process:

• Your employer applies for a Work Permit on your behalf with the Portuguese Labor Authorities or the Portuguese Immigration and Borders Service (Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras – SEF). They must submit several documents, including the employment contract, company tax statements, proof of registration with Social Security, and proof that the position could not have been filled by an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen.
• Once you have received authorisation to work, you can apply for a Work Visa at the Portuguese Embassy in your country. This will allow you to travel to Portugal and apply for a residence permit.
• After arriving in Portugal, you must apply for a Residence Permit at the SEF, register for social security, and get a tax number.

The requirements for a Portuguese work visa include:

• A valid passport.
• Passport-size pictures following Portugal's visa picture guidelines.
• Proof of sufficient funds to sustain yourself.
• Criminal records from your country of residence and any other country you have lived in for more than a year.
• A document giving permission to the SEF to check your Portuguese criminal records.
• Proof of health insurance coverage as a foreign worker.
• Proof of accommodation in Portugal.
• Your employment contract.
• Proof of legal entry into Portugal if you are already in the country, or proof of legal stay (e.g. residence permit or visa) if applying from another country.

All documents must be in English or Portuguese. If not, they must be translated by a certified translator and notarized. Certain documents, such as diplomas, may need to be legalised through an Apostille Stamp or the Portuguese Embassy in your country.

There are several types of Portuguese work visas:

• Work Visa for Skilled Workers: For qualifying professions or positions, such as scientists, medical professionals, IT professionals, engineers, or high-ranking administrative positions.
• Work Visa for Self-Employment: For business owners or those offering services as independent workers.
• Work Visa for Highly-Skilled Workers: For those with exceptional qualifications who are paid at least 1.5 times the national average gross annual salary.
• Work Visa for Cultural Activities: For those involved in cultural projects recognised by the relevant Portuguese authorities.
• Work Visa for Teaching: For those with a job offer from an educational or vocational training institution or research centre in Portugal.
• "Tech" Visa: For employees of companies active in the area of technology and innovation.

The cost of a work visa includes the entry visa fee (€90), the residence permit application fee (€83), and the residence permit issuance fee (€72). The processing time can be up to 60 days for the Work Permit and two to three months for the entry visa. The residence permit is valid for one to two years and can be renewed before expiry if you still have a job offer. After five years, you can apply for permanent residency.

Student visas

The type of student visa you will need to study in Portugal depends on your nationality and the length of your course.

EU/EFTA Nationals

If you are an EU/EFTA national, you will not need a student visa to study in Portugal. However, if your stay exceeds three months, you must provide a certificate of residence from your local city council.

Non-EU/EFTA Nationals

If you are a non-EU/EFTA national, you will need a student visa and a residence permit if your course is longer than three months. For short study programs lasting less than three months, residents of 61 countries (including Australia, Canada, Japan, and the US) do not need a visa.

There are three types of student visas:

• Short-stay student visas – for any study course lasting three months or less
• Temporary stay student visas – for any courses lasting between three months and a year
• Long-stay student visas – for any study programs lasting longer than one year, which includes all degree and Ph.D. programs

The application process and documents needed are the same for all three visas. You will need to apply via the Portuguese embassy or consulate in your home country, a visa application centre, or the online e-visa service.

You will need to provide the following documents:

• Completed application form
• Two passport photographs
• Passport or valid travel ID
• Confirmation of acceptance (e.g. a letter from the college or university)
• Proof of health insurance covering your stay
• Accommodation details
• Proof of sufficient finances, such as bank statements
• Details of your return flight leaving Portugal

The cost of a short-stay student visa is around €80 for adults and children over 12, €40 for children aged 6-12, and free for children under six. Nationals from Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Russia can apply for €35, and the following groups can apply for free:

• Family members of EU/EFTA nationals
• Pupils and students accompanying teachers during a school trip
• Scientific researchers
• Representatives of non-profit organizations (not older than 25) participating in conferences, cultural or sports events organized by non-profit organizations

The visa fee is non-refundable, and you will pay it when you submit the application. The length of the short-stay visa is 90 days, or a maximum of 90 days within any 180 days. You cannot extend this visa unless there are exceptional circumstances.

For a temporary stay visa, you will need to pay €75 for the entry visa (if required) plus around €90 for the temporary residence permit. Visas are typically issued for a maximum of one year and are not renewable.

For a long-stay visa, you will need to pay €90 for the entry visa (if required) and €108 for the long-term residence permit. Your visa or permit will usually be valid for the duration of your study course, up to five years. Initially, it may only be valid for 12 months, but you can extend it if you continue with your course. Most long-stay visas are renewable as long as you still meet the Portuguese immigration requirements.

Once in Portugal, you will need to apply for your temporary residence permit at any AIMA bureau or online if you register an account. If you enter the country and stay for three months without a visa, you can apply for your student residence permit within the first three months of your stay.

Working While Studying

You can work on a Portuguese student visa without needing any additional permits. However, you should inform the AIMA before starting any employment in Portugal. Although EU/EFTA nationals can work unlimited hours in Portugal, non-EU/EFTA students are restricted to 20 hours per week of employment during term time. However, they can work full-time hours during the school holidays.

If you work to support your studies in Portugal, you may have to pay income tax and social security, depending on how much you earn. If you are on a scholarship or grant funding your living costs while in Portugal, check the terms and conditions to ensure that taking up employment is permitted.

Transit visas

If you are transiting through Portugal, you may need a visa depending on your nationality and the country you are coming from.

Airport Transit Visas

If you are transiting through one or more airports in the Schengen Area, you will need an airport transit visa if you are a national of the following countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, and Sri Lanka.

In addition, if you are a national of Guinea, Senegal, or Uzbekistan, you will need an airport transit visa when passing through the international transit area of airports in Portugal.

To apply for an airport transit visa, you must present the following documentation:

• A duly filled and signed form (for minors and incapacitated individuals, the form should be signed by the legal guardian)
• A reservation of the transport document (return ticket)
• A passport photograph
• An entry visa for the destination country, if applicable
• A valid travel document (passport) with a validity of at least three months after the date of exit, as well as a photocopy of prior passports and visas
• A certificate of being in a regular situation if the applicant is from a different nationality than that of the country where the visa is being requested
• Proof of economic and work conditions, such as a work certificate, salary, and the last three bank statements, covering the entire stay and return to the country of origin
• Travel medical insurance

Transit and Short-Term Stay Visas (Visa C)

The Transit and Short-Term Stay Visa is issued for transit and short-term stays in the Schengen Area and is valid for 90 days within a six-month period. This type of visa is suitable if you plan to visit Portugal and move freely within the Schengen Area. To be eligible, you must submit various documents demonstrating that you have sufficient funds to support yourself during your trip.

Schengen Visas

If you are a citizen of a country that is not a member of the European Community, you will need a Schengen visa to transit between two Schengen area member states. The following countries are exempt from holding a visa when crossing external borders:

• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
• The Holy See (Vatican City State)
• Saint Kitts and Nevis
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• The United Arab Emirates
• The United States of America
• Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China (Hong Kong and Macao)
• British citizens who are not nationals of the United Kingdom for the purposes of Union law
• British overseas territories citizens (BOTC)
• British overseas citizens (BOC)
• British protected persons (BPP)
• British subjects (BS)

However, please note that some of these exemptions only apply to holders of specific types of passports, such as biometric passports.

Retirement visas

Portugal has several visas available for retirees seeking to move to the country. The two most prominent are the D7 Visa and the Golden Visa.

The D7 Visa, also known as the Retirement Visa or the Passive Income Visa, is a route to Portuguese permanent residency aimed at non-EU/EEA citizens who do not rely on an active or salaried income. Introduced in 2007, the D7 Visa allows retirees to enjoy the benefits of living in Portugal while seeking residency status. Applicants must prove a passive income of at least €820 per month, which can come from pensions, savings, or other legitimate sources. The D7 Visa is valid for an initial two years and can be renewed for an additional three years. After five years of legal residence in Portugal, individuals can apply for Portuguese citizenship.

The Golden Visa, officially known as the Residence Permit for Investment Activity (ARI), is a five-year residency-by-investment scheme for non-EU nationals. Applicants must make a minimum investment of €250,000, which can take the form of contributing to a qualified investment fund, investing in the arts or reconstruction of national heritage, scientific research, creating and maintaining jobs, or incorporating a company or reinforcing a company's share capital. The Golden Visa grants applicants the right to live, work, and study in Portugal. It is valid for one year and can be renewed twice, each time for two years, adding up to a maximum of five years. After five years, individuals can apply for permanent residency in Portugal.

D7 Visa Requirements

To apply for a D7 Visa, applicants must submit the following documents:

• Completed D7 Visa application form
• Two passport-sized photos
• Proof of passive income
• Proof of adequate accommodation (e.g. 12-month lease agreement)
• Criminal record background check
• Valid travel insurance with healthcare services
• Three months of bank statements
• Last year's tax statement

Golden Visa Requirements

To apply for a Golden Visa, applicants must submit the following documents:

• Completed application form
• Copy of a valid passport and travel documents
• Declaration from a bank in Portugal confirming the transfer of funds from abroad
• Proof of health insurance in Portugal
• Background check or police clearance letter from the country of origin
• Declaration of honour to maintain the investment for five years
• Documents showing good standing with the Portuguese Tax and Customs Authority and non-enrollment or good standing with the Social Security
• Receipt showing payment of the application processing fee

Family reunification visas

Visa Requirements for Portugal

Whether or not a person needs a visa to enter Portugal depends on their nationality, the purpose and length of their stay, and whether they are a citizen of an EU/EEA country or Switzerland.

Citizens of EU/EEA countries or Switzerland can enter Portugal without a visa, but if they intend to stay longer than three months, they must request a registration certificate. After five years of living in Portugal, they can obtain a permanent residence certificate.

All other foreign nationals are classified as 'non-EU' and will need some form of visa and/or residency permit.

The Portuguese family reunification visa, also known as the family visa, D6 visa, or family reunion visa, is one of Portugal's residence permits. It allows non-EU family members of Portuguese residents to travel to Portugal and join them as residents. The non-EU national travelling to Portugal will normally receive a residence permit that is valid for the same duration as their Portuguese family member's.

To be eligible for the family reunification visa, both the Portuguese resident and the family member living outside of Portuguese national territory must fulfil certain requirements.

Who Can Apply for a Family Reunification Visa?

Non-EU citizens who have a valid residence permit in Portugal may apply to bring the following family members to join them in Portugal:

• Married or registered partners
• Minor children, including adopted children
• Any children under the care of the applicant
• Dependent children of any age who are enrolled in an established educational institution in Portugal
• First-degree relatives who are dependent on the applicant
• Minor siblings who are under the legal custody of the applicant

Those in Portugal with a student permit, on an unpaid traineeship, or voluntary service may only bring their spouse, children, and adopted children to Portugal to join them.

How to Apply for a Family Reunification Visa

The first step in applying for a family reunification visa involves the resident in Portugal submitting an application on the family member's behalf to the Portuguese Immigration and Borders Service (Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras, or SEF). This initial application will be processed within 60 days, and the resident, the family member, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be informed of the decision.

After the initial application has been processed and approved, the family member who wishes to travel to Portugal will then have to apply at a Portuguese embassy or consulate in their home country. They will need to ensure that they have all the required documents ready and prepared for their application. Note that any documents not in Portuguese need to be translated into Portuguese by an authorised translator and then certified by a notary.

The family member will then have to schedule an appointment with the embassy or consulate where they will present their documents. If their application is approved, they can travel to Portugal. Once they arrive, they must make an appointment with SEF to register as a resident and receive their long-term residence permit.

Documents Required for a Family Reunification Visa

The applicants applying for a family reunion visa must submit the following documents with their visa application:

• Proof of legal residency in Portugal (such as a valid residence permit)
• Proof of relationship for family members, such as an adoption certificate or marriage certificate
• Copies of valid passports, IDs, or travel documents
• Proof of viable accommodation for family members
• Proof of funds to financially support family members
• Criminal record certificate for family members
• Proof that the family members have been living legally in their current place of residence
• Proof of incapacity or economic dependency of any dependent relatives who are not minor children
• Birth certificate, proof of economic dependence, and proof of educational enrolment in Portugal for children who are studying in Portugal
• Documents proving legal guardianship in the case of minor siblings
• Proof of de facto union for common-law partners

Fees and Processing Times

A Portuguese family reunification visa costs around €90. Family reunification visas normally take around 60 days to process but may take longer depending on the volume of applications received.

Validity of Family Reunification Visas

If the Portuguese resident has a temporary residence permit, family members will receive a family reunification visa that is valid for the same duration. However, the family reunification visa will be eligible for renewal beyond its initial expiration date. Portuguese temporary residence permits are normally valid for up to five years.

If the Portuguese resident has a permanent residence permit, the family reunification permit issued will be valid for up to two years, although this can also be renewed and extended. After the initial two-year period, family members can obtain an independent residence permit if the family link is still present.

Applying for Citizenship with a Family Reunification Visa

After the family member has lived in Portugal continuously for five years, they will be eligible to apply for permanent residency. If they obtain permanent residency, they will be eligible to apply for Portuguese citizenship after another year (six years of residency in total).

Note that to be eligible for citizenship, applicants will need to provide proof of a basic working knowledge of the Portuguese language and proof that they have not been convicted of any crimes during their residency in Portugal.

Frequently asked questions