How to apply for Portugal Visa from India

Indian citizens who are planning to visit Portugal are required to obtain a Portugal Visa from India. Portugal is a Schengen state situated in Europe, along with 25 other countries. These nations are all part of the European Union, and upon joining this group, they have eliminated passports and various forms of border control at their shared borders.

If you’re considering traveling to Portugal from India, this guide has you covered. Learn about getting a Portugal tourist visa from India, the fees, and the online application process. Get all the essential information for a smooth travel experience to Portugal.

Portugal Visa from India

A holder of a Schengen visa, granted by any of the Schengen Area member countries, is eligible for free movement within the entire Schengen Zone, within the validity and period limitations of the Portugal visa. Different restrictions apply to the particular access issued by the embassy of Portugal, according to the nature of traveling and length of stay.

What are the requirements for Indians to be eligible for a Portugal Visa?

Eligibility criteria for Indians applying for a Portugal Visa include:

1. Valid Purpose: You need a valid reason for visiting Portugal.
2. Passport: Your passport should have atleast two blank pages and remain valid for at least three months after leaving Portugal.
3. Financial Resources: You must have enough funds to cover your expenses during your stay.
4. Travel Insurance: It’s crucial to have travel insurance for your trip to Portugal.

Types of Portugal visa for Indians

1. Airport Transit: This permit is for those who are simply passing through Portugal during their journey.

2. Short Term Schengen (Portugal Schengen Visa):

• Tourist: A tourist Portugal visa from India is  for tourism, leisure, and travel. It allows a stay for a set duration, under 90 days, but doesn’t allow work or business activities.
• Business: A  business Portugal visa from India permits business activities without joining the workforce. Government assistance isn’t received, and the visa is for under 90 days.
• Friends/Family Visit: For those invited to visit family or friends in Portugal.
• You can stay for upto maximum of 90 days within a 180-day period.

3. Long-Term (Portugal National Visa):

• Work: If you’re heading to Portugal for work-related purposes.
• Study: For students planning to study in Portugal for more than 90 days.
• Family Reunion: If you’re visiting family members who are already living in Portugal.
• You can stay for a longer duration, exceeding 90 days, up to 365 days.

Schengen Visa from India

Apply for UK Visa

Spain Visa process

How to apply for Portugal Visa from India?

Step 1:

Visit the link to access the online Portugal Visa application form.

Step 2:

Select ‘Apply for a Visa’. You will then be redirected to another page containing the visa form which you can fill online.

Step 3: Fill in the application form by stating the following details:

• Surname at present
• Surname at birth
• First Name of the applicant
• Date of Birth, Place of Birth and Country of Birth of the applicant
• Current Nationality and nationality at birth
• Sex
• Marital status
• In case of Minor applicant: fill in first name, surname, address (if different from the main applicant), and nationality of parents or legal guardians
• Type of Document held by applicant (official Passport, Ordinary Passport, Diplomatic Passport, or Service passport)
• The number on travel document (passport number)
• The validity of travel document
• Date of Issue of travel document
• Name of Issuer of travel document
• Applicant’s home address, email address, and telephone number
• State whether the applicant is currently residing in another country
• Current occupation of the applicant and employer’s name, address, and telephone number. If the applicant is a student, mention the name and address of the educational establishment in this field.
• The main purpose of the journey (such as tourism, business, visiting friends and family, culture, sports, or other reasons)
• State of destination which the applicant wishes to visit. If multiple, member state of first entry must be mentioned
• Number of entries requested (such as single entry, double-entry or multiple entries)
• Duration of intended stay or transit
• Tick whether the applicant was issued a Schengen visa in the past three years. If yes, state the date of issuance and date of expiry of the visa.
• Tick whether the applicant’s fingerprints have been collected previously for the purpose of obtaining a Schengen Visa.
• Fill in the name and address of the inviting company/organization or person, their email ID, telephone number, and address, if any.
• Fill in how the costs are to be met and by whom in Portugal.

Step 4: 

After finishing your application, click on ‘Submit.’ The applicant must then take a printout of the filled-out application form and go to the Visa Application Centre.

They must choose a center in their application that is nearest to their residence. Applicants must keep in mind that they must bring the required supporting documents and the Portugalvisa service fees to the centre.

Step 5:

At the visa application centre, the service centre personnel will take your picture (for all applicants). A biometrical process will then take your fingerprints. All Schengen short-stay visa applicants must appear in person at the centre to have their fingerprints recorded, and personnel took their photographs.

The Visa Information System (VIS) will then register this information. Although this registration procedure only takes a few minutes, it identifies you with certainty about the only legal holder of the Portugalvisa. Identity theft and fraud are prevented by this method. However, children younger than 12 years of age do not need to get their fingerprints recorded.

Step 6:

After the staff checks the integrity of the Portugal visa application, and they will record your application information in the system. You will have to pay the fees at this point. They will then generate an acknowledgment receipt which you can keep for further reference.

Note:

You are required to select a ‘date’ on the Portal das ComunidadesPortuguesas Visas website at the end of completing the Online Visa Application Form. Please be aware that this date on the visa application form should be the same date you wish to submit your visa application at the Visa Application Centre.

Portugal visa requirements for Indians

The following documents are required irrespective of which Portugal Visa from India type you are applying for.

1. Travel document– Your passport should be valid for at least three months after your intended departure from Portugal. It must have two blank pages and be issued within the last 10 years. No observations on the front data page are allowed.
2. Application form– Submit a complete Portugal visa application form. Incomplete or false information can lead to delays or rejection. The form can be downloaded in English and must be filled out in English.
3. Photograph– Provide a recent passport-size color photo with a white background. It should not be older than six months.
4. Covering letter– Include a cover letter introducing yourself, explaining the purpose, duration, and itinerary of your visit.
5. Payment Receipt: Proof of payment for the Portugal tourist visa charges.
6. Return Ticket: Reservation details for your return ticket.
7. Flight Tickets/Itinerary: Provide your flight tickets or travel itinerary.
8. Criminal Records: Proof of no criminal records on your end.
9. Travel Medical Insurance– Have valid medical insurance for your stay in Portugal covering health expenses, treatment, and hospitalization. The policy should be worth 30,000 Euro and cover all Schengen countries. It must be valid for your entire stay. Adjust your visa validity if needed to match your insurance coverage.

The applicant may shorten the validity of the Portugal visa from India if their insurance policy does not cover the entire duration of the stay in Portugal.

Various Proofs

1. Proof of Means of Transport – Provide proof of your return or round-trip flight reservation. If traveling to multiple Schengen States, show train or car rental info. Paid tickets aren’t needed, just the booking receipt is enough.
2. Proof of Lodging – Share hotel reservations, holiday home receipts, or campus residence info. If staying with family or friends, add sponsorship and accommodation proof. For multiple Schengen States, show lodging proof for each.
3. Proof of Financial means– You must have 100 PLN per day for stays over 3 days or 30 PLN per day for shorter stays. Show your recent bank statement (stamped and signed), tax return statement, or the sponsor’s details. If sponsored, add sponsorship letter and sponsor’s passport copy.

In addition, if the applicant is employed:

• Current employment contract
• Copy of current bank statement of the latest 6 months
• No-objection certificate from current employer
• Income Tax Return (ITR) form or Certificate of Income Tax deducted at the source of salary from the applicant

If the applicant is a company owner or self-employed:

• A copy of their business license
• Copy of the company bank statement of the latest 6 months
• Income Tax Return (ITR) of the company

If the applicant is retired:

• Pension statement for the previous 6 months
• Proof of regular income received from property or rent for the last 6 months (if any)

9. Minor Applicant

• When a minor travels with just one parent, the other parent or guardian must provide written consent certified by a public notary, except in cases of sole custody or guardianship.
• If the minor travels alone without a legal guardian, parents or guardians with custody must provide certified consent from a notary. Copies of parents’ passports are also required. If this isn’t feasible, the applicant’s birth certificate and parent’s ID copies are mandatory.
• All minors need both parents or guardians to accompany them to the Visa Office to sign the form with a VFS officer. This requirement is waived if a child visits one parent residing in Portugal.
• Passport Copy– Include a full-color photocopy of your valid passport for your Portugal visa application. Include photocopies of all pages, including visa pages from old or canceled passports for Schengen States, USA, UK, Canada, or Australia issued in the last three years.

Portugal tourist visa from India

1. If the applicant is being sponsored, an invitation letter with the address and phone number from the family or company that is sponsoring is required.
2. Bank statement of the last 6 months
3. Passport copies of the applicant
4. A certificate from the travel agency confirming the booking of an organized trip of the applicant (if any)
5. Any other appropriate document indicating the travel plans of the applicant, including period and reason of visit.
6. If the applicant is married and cannot provide evidence of marital status in the passport, a marriage certificate must be submitted. If applicable, a copy of the ration card can also be submitted.

Portugal  Business Visa

1. Invitation letter from the company in Portugal applicant will be visiting and their complete address along with the dates of the visit
2. A certificate from your employer allowing the business travel and stating the details about the trip.
3. Both invitation letter, as well as a letter from employer, must confirm the following details:

• The applicant’s identity;
• The purpose of the visit, such as meetings, conferences, training or business-related events.
• The period and place of intended stay of the applicant, while in Portugal.

4. Proof of previous trade relations between the two companies, if such events have occurred.
5. Bank statement of the last 6 months of the company
6. The coverage of applicant’s expenses during their stay in Portugal must be proved by either the employer or the host company who is hosting the applicant, on the letter or invitation.

Note:

• The applicant must ensure always to have valid Schengen travel insurance during their stay in Portugal. The border authorities may ask to see proof of valid insurance when you enter the Schengen Area or Portugal.
• All documents should be provided in A4 size of paper.
• If the documents not originally in English, they must be accompanied by valid English translations.
• Although the Embassy reserves the right to request the original of any document provided at any point during Portugal visa processing, please submit only photocopies of all documents. Do keep in mind to carry original documents at the time of submission at the Visa Centre.
• Remember, the Portugal Embassy can request extra documents or an interview for specific cases.
• If your application is incomplete or you decline a special Portugal visa interview, it could lead to rejection.

Portugal Visa Fees for Indian

The cost for a Short Stay Schengen Portugal Visa from India for travel and business purposes :

• For children below 6 years of age- No Charge
• Children between the ages of 6 and 12 years- INR 2760
• Regular applicants- INR 4732
• Spouse or children of a European Union National – No Charge

Applicants are required to pay a service charge of INR 1882 at the Visa Application Centre. There’s also an optional courier service at INR 450/- per application/passport and SMS service at INR 115/- per application/passport. All prices include 9% SGST and 9% CGST.

The Portugal Visa fees for Indian Rupees is determined by the current exchange rate and can change due to economic fluctuations. Remember, visa fees are non-refundable, regardless of the visa outcome.

Portugal visa status tracking

If you submitted your application using the online submission method, visit the link  to see the status of your Portugal There you will have to fill in the following details:

• Reference Number
• Date of Birth
• Captcha

Once your visa processing is complete, your status will be shown on your screen.

After approval, collect your passport from the designated VAC office. You’ll need to do this yourself and carry the appointment receipt.

Only specific individuals can collect the documents or passport, including:

• Immediate Family Member such as Parents, Children, or Spouse of the applicant
• A person collecting the passport on behalf of Government officials, if so mentioned on the Government letterhead.
• Red Carpet Representatives of the applicant, if authorized on the Company’s letterhead

If any of the above people come to collect the passport, they need to carry any of the following documents in Original :

• Government ID card
• Dentity Proof
• Authorization letter from the applicant

Where to apply for a Portugal Visa from India?

The application process for a Portuguese visa depends on your jurisdiction. If your current state of residence (where you’ve lived for the last 6 months) is Maharashtra, Goa, or the UTs of Daman & Diu or Dadra & Nagar Haveli, you should submit your application to the Consulate General of Portugal in Goa.

Alternatively, if you’re from Maharashtra, you can also use VACs in Mumbai and Pune, but your application will still be processed by the Goa consulate.

For residents of other states and UTs in India, the application should be submitted to the Embassy of Portugal in New Delhi. You can also apply through VACs spread across India, according to their respective jurisdictions.

FAQ’s

How long can I stay in Portugal without a visa?

For individuals from countries not under the Schengen visa agreement, entry to Portugal without a visa is not possible. However, if you are from a visa-exempt nation, you can stay for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

Does Portugal offer Visa on Arrival for Indian Citizens?

No, Portugal does not provide Visa on Arrival for Indian citizens. All Indian nationals must apply for a visa before traveling; Visa on Arrival is not available.

Do Indians need a visa to travel to Portugal?

Yes, Indians traveling to Portugal need a visa. Portugal, being part of the Schengen Area, does not offer visa-free access to Indian citizens.

How many days before travel should I apply for Portugal visa?

Considering the standard processing period for the Portuguese permit is approximately 15 working days, excluding transit time, it's advisable to initiate your application at least 15 days before your planned travel date. However, note that you cannot submit your application more than 3 months before your travel date.