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Last Updated 23 September 2026

Why apply for a Portugal Visit Visa?

Portugal is a popular travel destination in Europe and attracts many tourists every year.
You can stay in Portugal and other Schengen countries for up to 90 days within 180 days.
You can travel to 29 Schengen countries with one visa.
You can enjoy Portugal’s beaches, cities, food, and culture.
Many ancient castles to explore

A Portugal Visit Visa is a short-term Schengen visa (Type C). It allows you to travel for tourism, visiting family or friends, or short business trips. You can stay for up to 90 days in a 180-day period. Since Portugal is part of the Schengen Area, you can also travel to other Schengen countries. To apply, you need a valid passport, proof of funds, accommodation details, and travel health insurance.

Portugal Tourist Visa

Jump to: [ Visa Types ] [ Eligibility ] [ How to Apply ] [ Fees ] [ FAQs ]

Types of Portugal Visit Visa

Short-Stay Schengen Visa (Type C)

This is the most common Portugal visa. It allows you to stay in Portugal for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. It is suitable for short visits such as:

Tourist Visa: For holidays, sightseeing, and leisure travel
Business Visa: For meetings, conferences, exhibitions, or short business trips
Visiting Family or Friends: For personal visits to relatives or friends living in Portugal
Cultural, Sports, or Medical Visa: For short-term events, competitions, training, or medical treatment

Since Portugal is part of the Schengen Area, this visa also allows you to travel to other Schengen countries during your stay.

Airport Transit Visa (Type A)

This visa is required for travelers who are passing through the international transit area of a Portuguese airport without entering Portugal. It is only meant for airport transit purposes and does not allow you to leave the airport transit zone.

Long-Stay Visa (National Visa – Type D)

This visa is required if you plan to stay in Portugal for more than 90 days. It is usually issued for:

Work purposes
Study programs
Family reunification
Long-term residence

The Type D visa allows you to stay in Portugal for a longer period based on the purpose of your visit and may require a residence permit after arrival.

*Want to apply for a Schengen visa? Let Y-Axis help you with the process.

Top 10 Places to Visit in Portugal

Portugal is one of the most beautiful countries in Europe. It has history, beaches, nature, culture, and tasty food. You can visit busy cities or relax on peaceful islands.

Here are the top 10 places to visit in Portugal:

Lisbon: Walk in the old Alfama area, ride the yellow trams, visit São Jorge Castle, and try the famous Pastel de Nata.
Porto: Walk near the Douro River, cross the Luís I Bridge, and enjoy wine tasting.
Algarve: Relax on sandy beaches, see cliffs and sea caves, and enjoy fresh seafood.
Sintra: Visit beautiful palaces like Pena Palace surrounded by green hills.
Madeira: See gardens, mountains, and enjoy walking trails and local wine.
Douro Valley: Take a river cruise and see vineyards in a famous wine region.
Évora: Explore an old town with Roman history and the Chapel of Bones.
Azores: Visit islands with lakes, hot springs, and natural beauty.
Óbidos: Walk in a small historic town with white houses and old walls.
Cascais: Enjoy beaches, seafood, and a relaxing coastal vibe near Lisbon.

Eligibility for Portugal Tourist Visa

To apply for a Portugal Tourist Visa, you must meet the following basic conditions:

A valid passport issued within the last 10 years, with at least 3 months validity beyond your return date and minimum 2 blank pages
Proof of sufficient funds to cover travel, accommodation, and daily expenses for yourself and accompanying family members
Clear intention to return to India after your short stay
No criminal record
Genuine purpose of travel
Travel medical insurance covering at least €30,000 for the entire Schengen stay
Confirmed travel plan, including accommodation and itinerary

Portugal Tourist Visa Requirements

When applying for a Portugal Tourist Visa, you need to submit the following documents:

Completed and signed Schengen visa application form
Two recent passport-size photographs
Valid passport with required validity and blank pages
Copies of previous visas
Cover letter explaining the purpose of your visit and travel details
Flight reservation or travel itinerary
Proof of accommodation
Valid travel medical insurance covering the full Schengen area
Proof of sufficient bank balance
Income Tax Returns (ITR) for the last 2 years
Proof of employment

Portugal Visit Visa

Steps to Apply for a Portugal Visit Visa Application

Step 1: Select the correct visa type based on your travel purpose.

Step 2: Fill out the Portugal Schengen visa application form carefully and correctly.

Step 3: Book an appointment at the VFS visa application center.

Step 4: Prepare and collect all the required documents.

Step 5: Submit your application, give your fingerprints (biometrics), and provide two passport-size photographs.

Step 6: Pay the required visa fee at the time of submission.

Step 7: Attend the visa interview if required (may be scheduled approximately 2 weeks after submission).

Step 8: Wait for the visa decision. If your application meets all the requirements, your Portugal Tourist Visa will be approved.

Note: Applications should be submitted at least 4 weeks (28 calendar days) before your travel date, and no earlier than 6 months before your planned travel date.

Portugal Tourist Visa Processing Time

A Portugal tourist visa application must be processed within 15 calendar days of receipt of a complete application, per Article 23 of the Schengen Visa Code (Regulation (EC) No 810/2009). In practice, processing can extend to 30–45 calendar days Apply at least 4 weeks (28 calendar days) before your travel date and ensure all documents are complete and accurate.

Portugal Tourist Visa Cost

The Portugal Tourist Visa follows the standard Schengen visa fee structure for short stays of up to 90 days. The visa fee depends on the applicant's age. The fee must be paid at the time of submitting your application and is non-refundable, even if the visa is refused. In addition to the visa fee, a VFS service charge will also apply when you submit through a visa application center.

Type	Cost
Adult (18+)	€ 90
Children (6–12 years)	€ 45
Children (under 6 years)	Free

Note: Fee updated to €90 per adult (effective June 11, 2024, per EU Commission Regulation 2024/1601, increased from €80). Verify the current fee at the Embassy of Portugal in India or vfsglobal.com/in/en/pt. An additional VFS Global service charge applies separately.

EU Entry/Exit System (EES) at Schengen Borders

The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) is fully operational at all 29 Schengen external border crossings, including all Portuguese international airports: Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS), Porto Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport (OPO), and Faro Airport (FAO).

What this means for Indian visitors to Portugal:

Passport stamps are replaced with digital biometric registration. On your first Schengen entry, your fingerprints and facial image are captured. First-time registration takes approximately 5–10 minutes extra at passport control — allow extra time at Portuguese airports.
The 90/180-day rule is now digitally tracked. Days spent in Spain, France, Germany, or any other Schengen country also count towards your 90-day limit.
Your visa requirement is unchanged.
ETIAS does not apply to Indian passport holders who require a full Schengen visa.

How Y-Axis Can Help You?

Y-Axis offers complete support to make your Portugal Tourist Visa application simple and stress-free. Our experienced team guides you at every step of the process to improve your chances of approval and avoid common mistakes.

Our services include:

Identifying the right visa type
Document guidance and preparation
Accurate application form filling
Document review and verification
End-to-end visa assistance

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Portugal Tourist Visa?

The Portugal Tourist Visa is a short-stay Schengen Type C visa that lets Indian nationals visit Portugal for tourism, family visits, or short business trips. It permits a stay of up to 90 days within any 180-day period and also allows travel across the wider Schengen Area. Applicants need a valid passport, proof of funds, accommodation details, and Schengen-compliant travel health insurance.

How many countries can I visit with a Portugal Schengen visa?

A Portugal Schengen visa lets you travel freely across all 29 Schengen Area member countries, including four non-EU members — Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland — for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. Not every EU country is part of Schengen (Cyprus, for example, is not), so the "Schengen" and "EU" country lists differ slightly.

What is the current Portugal Tourist Visa fee for Indians?

The Schengen visa fee for Indian applicants is €90 for adults aged 18 and over, effective under EU Commission Regulation 2024/1601. Children aged 6–12 pay €45, and children under 6 are exempt. This fee is non-refundable, even if the application is refused, and an additional VFS Global service charge applies separately. Source: EU Commission Regulation 2024/1601; emb-india.mne.gov.pt.

How long does it take to process a Portugal Tourist Visa?

Under Article 23 of the Schengen Visa Code, a complete application must be processed within 15 calendar days. In practice, processing can extend further when additional checks are needed. Apply at least 4 weeks before your intended travel date to allow for any delays, and ensure your documents are complete before submission to avoid additional review time.

What documents are required for a Portugal Tourist Visa?

Required documents include a completed Schengen visa application form, two recent passport photographs, a passport valid beyond your return date with blank pages, a cover letter, flight and accommodation reservations, travel medical insurance covering at least €30,000, proof of funds, income tax returns for the last two years, and proof of employment.

Where do I submit my Portugal Tourist Visa application?

Indian applicants submit their Portugal Schengen visa application through VFS Global, the authorised Visa Application Centre for Portugal in India. You will need to book an appointment, submit your documents, provide biometric fingerprints, and pay the visa fee plus the applicable VFS service charge at the time of submission.

Can I extend my Schengen stay beyond 90 days?

No. The Portugal Tourist Visa (Type C) permits a maximum stay of 90 days within any rolling 180-day period across the entire Schengen Area. Extensions are granted only in exceptional circumstances, such as medical emergencies or force majeure, and must be approved by the relevant national immigration authority before your permitted stay expires.

What is the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) and how does it affect my Portugal visit?

The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) is now operational at all Portuguese international airports — Lisbon (LIS), Porto (OPO), and Faro (FAO) — as well as land borders. It replaces manual passport stamps with digital biometric registration on entry and exit. Your visa requirement is unchanged; allow extra time at the airport for first-time biometric registration.

Does ETIAS apply to Indian travellers visiting Portugal?

No. ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) is a pre-travel registration requirement for visa-exempt nationalities only. Indian passport holders require a full Schengen visa to visit Portugal, so ETIAS does not apply to them regardless of when it becomes operational for other travellers.

Can I get a multi-year multiple-entry Schengen visa through Portugal?

Yes. Under the EU visa cascade regime (Schengen Visa Code Article 24(2)), Indian nationals who have lawfully used two or more Schengen visas within the past three years qualify for progressively longer multiple-entry visas — moving from a 1-year to 2-year, then 5-year, and eventually 10-year validity. Contact Y-Axis to check your eligibility based on your travel history.

What is the minimum passport validity required?

Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond your intended departure date from the Schengen Area, issued within the last 10 years, and contain at least 2 blank pages for visa stamps and entry/exit records. Passports not meeting these conditions will not be accepted for a Schengen visa application.

How much travel insurance coverage do I need?

Your travel medical insurance policy must provide coverage of at least €30,000 for the entire duration of your stay across the Schengen Area. The policy should cover medical emergencies, hospitalisation, and repatriation, and must be valid in all Schengen member countries, not just Portugal.

How much money do I need to show for a Portugal visa application?

There's no single official minimum published by the Portuguese consulate for Indian applicants. As a general reference, €50–€100 per person per day is commonly cited for Schengen visa applications, but you should confirm the current exact requirement with the Embassy of Portugal in India or VFS Global before applying, as figures can vary by case.

Can I visit family or friends in Portugal on a Tourist Visa?

Yes. The Portugal Schengen Type C visa covers visits to family or friends as one of its permitted purposes, alongside tourism, short business trips, and cultural, sports, or medical visits. You'll typically need an invitation letter and proof of the host's accommodation and residency status alongside your standard application documents.

What is the Airport Transit Visa and do I need it?

The Airport Transit Visa (Type A) is required only for travellers passing through the international transit zone of a Portuguese airport without formally entering Portugal. It does not permit leaving the transit area. Most Indian travellers with a confirmed onward connection and no need to clear immigration will not require this visa — check your specific itinerary with your airline or Y-Axis.

What's the difference between a Short-Stay and Long-Stay Portugal visa?

The Short-Stay Schengen visa (Type C) covers visits up to 90 days for tourism, business, or family visits. The Long-Stay National Visa (Type D) is for stays beyond 90 days, typically for work, study, or family reunification, and usually requires a residence permit after arrival in Portugal.

When should I apply for my Portugal Tourist Visa?

You should apply no earlier than 6 months before your planned travel date and no later than 4 weeks before departure, to allow sufficient time for processing and any additional document requests. Applying too close to your travel date increases the risk of your visa not being ready in time.

Why was my Portugal Tourist Visa application rejected, and can I reapply?

Common rejection reasons include insufficient funds, incomplete documentation, unclear travel intent, or a weak cover letter. Yes, you can reapply after addressing the specific reasons cited in your refusal letter. Reviewing your documents carefully and, where needed, seeking professional guidance before resubmission can significantly improve your chances of approval.

Do children need a separate Portugal Tourist Visa application?

Yes, each child requires their own visa application and passport, even if travelling with parents on a family trip. Fees are reduced for children aged 6–12 and waived entirely for children under 6, but the required documentation, including proof of relationship and parental consent where applicable, must still be submitted.

How can Y-Axis help with my Portugal Tourist Visa application?

Y-Axis assists with identifying the right visa type, preparing and reviewing your documents, accurately completing your application form, and providing end-to-end guidance through the VFS Global submission process, helping reduce common errors that lead to delays or refusals.