Schengen 90-day Visa to Portugal

The Schengen 90-day visa is a popular type of visa that allows individuals to travel and stay in Portugal and the Schengen area for up to 90 days. The visa is often referred to as a tourist visa. 

The Schengen area is a group of 27 European countries that have abolished internal borders, meaning that individuals can travel between countries without the need for border checks. 

This includes countries such as France, Germany, Spain, UK, Italy, and Portugal. The Schengen visa is one of the most sought-after visas in the world, as it allows individuals to explore a diverse range of cultures and landscapes, from the bustling cities of Paris and Rome to the scenic countryside of Portugal and Switzerland.

Obtaining a Schengen visa to Portugal requires careful planning and preparation. The visa application process can vary depending on the country you are applying from and the embassy you are dealing with.

In general, applicants are required to provide a range of documents, including a valid passport, travel itinerary, and proof of financial means. 

The visa application fee is also a consideration, as this can vary between countries and can be quite expensive. Once the visa has been granted, individuals must adhere to the 90-day limit and ensure that they leave the Schengen area before their visa expires, or risk being banned from entering the Schengen area in the future.

Overall, the Schengen 90-day visa provides a unique opportunity for individuals to explore a diverse range of cultures and landscapes in Portugal and the rest of Europe.

However, it is important to carefully plan and prepare for the visa application process and to adhere to the 90-day limit once in the Schengen area to avoid any issues or complications.

Can I enter Portugal with Schengen 90-day Visa

Yes, you can enter Portugal with a Schengen 90-day visa as Portugal is one of the 27 countries that are part of the Schengen area, which means that a Schengen visa issued by any of the Schengen countries grants you entry into Portugal. 

However, it is important to note that the 90-day limit applies to your stay in the entire Schengen area, not just Portugal.

If you have already spent time in other Schengen countries before entering Portugal, that time will count towards your 90-day limit. 

Additionally, you must ensure that your Schengen visa is valid for the duration of your stay in Portugal and that you meet all the other entry requirements for Portugal, such as having a return ticket and sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay.

Steps to apply for a 90-day Schengen visa for Portugal

  • Determine which Schengen country you will be visiting the most or where you will be entering first. This country's embassy or consulate will be responsible for processing your visa application.
  • Gather all the required documents for your visa application. The exact documents you need may vary depending on your nationality, the country you are applying from, and your travel plans. However, common requirements include a valid passport, a completed visa application form, travel itinerary, accommodation bookings, and proof of financial means.
  • Book an appointment with the embassy or consulate to submit your application. In some cases, you may be able to apply online or by mail.
  • Attend your appointment at the embassy or consulate and submit your application, along with the required documents and visa fee.
  • Wait for your visa application to be processed. The processing time can vary depending on the embassy or consulate you are applying to, but it typically takes between 5 to 15 working days.
  • Once your visa is approved, you will receive your passport back with the visa sticker attached.
  • Check the visa sticker to ensure that all the information is correct, including the validity dates and the number of entries allowed.
  • Make sure you have travel insurance that covers your entire trip, including the Schengen area.
  • During your trip, make sure to follow all the rules and regulations of the Schengen area, including the 90-day time limit and any visa restrictions or conditions.

What countries need to apply for a Schengen 90 day visa 

It is important to note that the exact process and requirements for obtaining a Schengen visa can vary depending on the embassy or consulate you are applying to.

Therefore, it is recommended that you check the specific embassy or consulate's website for more detailed information on how to apply for a 90-day Schengen visa.

Citizens of certain countries are required to apply for a Schengen visa in order to enterPortugal and the Schengen Area for a period of up to 90 days.

The list of these countries can vary depending on the Schengen member state that the traveler intends to visit, but generally includes countries that do not have a visa exemption agreement with the Schengen Area.

Some of the countries whose citizens need to apply for a Schengen 90-day visa to enter Portygal include China, India, Russia, Philippines, Ukraine, and many countries in Africa and the Middle East.

However, it is important to note that the specific list of countries can vary depending on the Schengen member state, and travelers should check the visa requirements for the country they intend to visit. Additionally, some countries have agreements with the Schengen Area that may exempt their citizens from the visa requirement for short stays

Checklist to help you prepare for your 90-day Schengen visa application:

  1. Determine the Schengen country or countries you will be visiting, and which embassy or consulate you will need to apply to.
  2. Check the visa requirements for the embassy or consulate you will be applying to, as these can vary between countries.
  3. Ensure that your passport is valid for at least three months beyond the date of your intended departure from the Schengen area.
  4. Check whether you need any additional documents, such as travel insurance, proof of accommodation, or proof of financial means.
  5. Plan your itinerary and make sure that you have all necessary travel arrangements in place, such as flight bookings and accommodation reservations.
  6. Determine whether you need to apply for your visa in person, online, or by mail, and book an appointment if necessary.
  7. Complete the visa application form and prepare all necessary documents according to the embassy or consulate's requirements.
  8. Make sure that you have enough time for your visa application to be processed before your intended departure date.
  9. Pay the visa fee, which can vary depending on the country you are applying to.
  10. Double-check all your documents and information to ensure that everything is correct and complete before submitting your application.

What countries must apply for a visa before entering Portugal? 

The countries whose citizens need to apply for a Schengen 90-day visa can vary depending on the Schengen member state they intend to visit. However, here is a list of the countries whose citizens need to apply for a Schengen 90-day visa to enter Portugal:

  • Afghanistan
  • Angola
  • Armenia
  • Azerbaijan
  • Bahrain
  • Bangladesh
  • Belarus
  • Belize
  • Benin
  • Bhutan
  • Bolivia
  • Botswana
  • Burkina Faso
  • Burundi
  • Cambodia
  • Cameroon
  • Cape Verde
  • Central African Republic
  • Chad
  • China
  • Colombia
  • Comoros
  • Congo (Brazzaville)
  • Congo (Kinshasa)
  • Cuba
  • Djibouti
  • Dominica
  • Dominican Republic
  • Ecuador
  • Egypt
  • Equatorial Guinea
  • Eritrea
  • Ethiopia
  • Fiji
  • Gabon
  • Gambia
  • Georgia
  • Ghana
  • Grenada
  • Guinea
  • Guinea-Bissau
  • Guyana
  • Haiti
  • India
  • Indonesia
  • Iran
  • Iraq
  • Ivory Coast
  • Jamaica
  • Jordan
  • Kazakhstan
  • Kenya
  • Kiribati
  • Kuwait
  • Kyrgyzstan
  • Laos
  • Lebanon
  • Lesotho
  • Liberia
  • Libya
  • Madagascar
  • Malawi
  • Maldives
  • Mali
  • Mauritania
  • Micronesia
  • Moldova
  • Mongolia
  • Montenegro
  • Morocco
  • Mozambique
  • Myanmar
  • Namibia
  • Nauru
  • Nepal
  • Niger
  • Nigeria
  • North Korea
  • North Macedonia
  • Oman
  • Pakistan
  • Palau
  • Papua New Guinea
  • Peru
  • Philippines
  • Qatar
  • Russia
  • Rwanda
  • Saint Kitts and Nevis
  • Saint Lucia
  • Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
  • Samoa
  • Sao Tome and Principe
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Senegal
  • Serbia
  • Seychelles
  • Sierra Leone
  • Solomon Islands
  • Somalia
  • South Africa
  • South Sudan
  • Sri Lanka
  • Sudan
  • Suriname
  • Syria
  • Taiwan
  • Tajikistan
  • Tanzania
  • Thailand
  • Timor-Leste
  • Togo
  • Tonga
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • Tunisia
  • Turkey
  • Turkmenistan
  • Tuvalu
  • Uganda
  • Ukraine
  • United Arab Emirates
  • Uzbekistan
  • Vanuatu
  • Venezuela
  • Vietnam
  • Yemen
  • Zambia
  • Zimbabwe

This list is not exhaustive and may change, so it's important to check with the Portuguese embassy or consulate in your country for the most up-to-date information.

It is important to note that this list is not exhaustive and may change depending on the Schengen member state being visited.

Additionally, some countries may have agreements with the Schengen Area that may exempt their citizens from the visa requirement for short stays.

Can I apply for a permanent visa after entering Portugal with a 90 day Schengen visa?

It is generally not possible to apply for a permanent visa directly after entering Portugal with a 90-day Schengen visa. The Schengen visa is a short-term visa that allows you to stay in Portugal and other Schengen countries for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

If you wish to stay in Portugal for a longer period of time, you would need to apply for a long-term visa or a residence permit.

There are different types of residence permits available depending on your situation, such as for work, study, or family reunification.

To apply for a residence permit, you would need to meet the specific requirements for the type of permit you are seeking and submit the necessary documents to the Portuguese immigration authorities.

These requirements can vary depending on the type of permit you are applying for and may include things like proof of financial means, health insurance, and a clean criminal record.

It is important to note that the application process for a residence permit can take some time and may require additional documentation or steps beyond what is required for a Schengen visa.

It is advisable to research the specific requirements and procedures for obtaining a residence permit before entering Portugal with a Schengen visa.

Do British citizens need to apply for a visa to Portugal after Brexit?

British citizens no longer need a visa to travel to Portugal for stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

This is because the United Kingdom is now considered a third-country by the European Union after Brexit, and as such, British citizens are subject to the same rules as other non-EU/EEA citizens when travelling to Portugal.

However, British citizens do need to have a valid passport with at least six months' validity remaining, and may also need to show proof of onward travel, sufficient funds to support themselves during their stay, and travel insurance.

It's important to note that visa requirements and other travel rules can change, so it's always a good idea to check with the Portuguese embassy or consulate in your country for the most up-to-date information before you travel.

Consequences of overstaying the 90-day limit ot the Schengen visa

Overstaying the 90-day limit in the Schengen area can have serious consequences. Here are some of the potential consequences:

  • Fine: Overstaying can result in a fine that can range from a few hundred to several thousand euros, depending on the country and the length of the overstay.
  • Ban: Overstaying can also result in being banned from the Schengen area for a period of time, which can range from a few months to several years.
  • Deportation: If you are caught overstaying your visa, you may be deported immediately and prohibited from entering the Schengen area in the future.
  • Criminal charges: In some cases, overstaying can be considered a criminal offence, which can result in arrest, detention, and a criminal record.
  • Visa problems: Overstaying can also create problems for future visa applications, as it can be seen as a violation of immigration laws and may be taken into consideration when evaluating future visa applications.
  • Travel restrictions: Overstaying can result in travel restrictions within the Schengen area, making it difficult or impossible to travel freely between countries.

It's important to adhere to the 90-day limit and plan your travels accordingly to avoid these consequences. If you need to stay longer, you should apply for a long-term visa or residency permit before your initial visa expires.

Can I apply for a Schengen visa if I break the rules of the Schengen 90 day visa?

Breaking the rules of the Schengen 90 day visa by overstaying can have consequences for future visa applications. If you overstay your visa and are caught, you may be subject to fines, bans, and other penalties, as outlined in my previous response.

If you overstay your visa and then apply for a new Schengen visa, the visa application may be rejected due to the previous overstay, especially if the overstay was recent or for a significant period of time.

However, each visa application is considered on a case-by-case basis, and it's possible to be granted a new visa even if you have previously overstayed your visa.

It's important to be transparent about your previous overstay in your visa application, and provide a strong explanation for why it happened and why it won't happen again.

Ultimately, it's up to the discretion of the embassy or consulate processing the visa application to decide whether to grant the visa or not.

Other visas can you apply for to Portugal?

In addition to the 90-day Schengen tourist visa, there are other visas you can apply for to Portugal depending on the purpose of your trip.

Here are some examples:

  • Schengen visa for business: This visa is for individuals who need to travel to Portugal for business purposes, such as attending meetings, conferences, or negotiating contracts. It allows you to stay in the Schengen area for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
  • Study visa: If you plan to study in Portugal for more than 90 days, you will need to apply for a study visa. This visa allows you to stay in Portugal for the duration of your study program.
  • Work visa: If you plan to work in Portugal, you will need to apply for a work visa. The type of work visa you need will depend on the nature of your work and your employment status.
  • Family reunification visa: If you have family members who are Portuguese citizens or legal residents, you may be eligible for a family reunification visa. This visa allows you to join your family in Portugal.
  • Residency visa: If you plan to stay in Portugal for an extended period of time, you may be eligible for a residency visa. This type of visa is for individuals who plan to live and work in Portugal for more than 90 days.

It's important to note that the requirements and application processes for each type of visa may vary, so it's always a good idea to check with the Portuguese embassy or consulate in your country for the most up-to-date information.