Portugal tourist visa
Lisbon's trams, the beaches of the Algarve, a glass of port in the Douro - whatever draws you to Portugal, an Indian passport holder reaches it on a Schengen short-stay visa (Type C, the uniform visa), secured before you fly. The rule for where to apply is simple: name Portugal as your main destination, meaning the country where you'll spend the most days, or - if the days are split evenly - your first point of entry into the Schengen area. Every application goes through VFS Global by appointment, the Portuguese missions' authorised partner in India. Nothing is accepted by post or e-mail.
Where you live decides which mission rules on your case. The Embassy of Portugal in New Delhi handles most of the country; the Consulate General of Portugal in Goa takes applicants from Goa, Maharashtra and the union territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu. The fee is EUR 90 for adults, EUR 45 for children aged 6-12, and nothing for those under 6. Expect a decision in at least 15 calendar days once your file reaches the consulate - longer if they want closer scrutiny or call you for an interview. The consulate alone settles the outcome, the validity and the number of entries.
Who this visa is for
- ✓Indian passport holders travelling to Portugal for tourism, sightseeing or visiting friends and family, for a short stay of up to 90 days.
- ✓Portugal must be the main destination of the trip (the country of longest stay); if stays are equal, it must be your first point of entry into the Schengen area.
- ✓Applicants who apply in their correct consular jurisdiction - the Embassy of Portugal in New Delhi for most of India, or the Consulate General of Portugal in Goa for Goa, Maharashtra and Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.
- ✓Applicants who can show sufficient funds, confirmed accommodation, a round-trip travel booking and travel medical insurance of at least EUR 30,000 covering the whole Schengen stay.
- ✓Passport issued within the last 10 years, valid for at least 3 months beyond the planned return date, with at least two blank pages; Indian handwritten passports are not accepted.
Visa options for Portugal
Schengen tourist visa (Type C) - single entry
One entry into the Schengen area for tourism; the visa is used up once you leave, even if permitted days remain. Common for first-time applicants.
Schengen tourist visa (Type C) - multiple entry
Several entries within the validity the consulate grants (for example 1, 3 or 5 years); each stay counts toward the 90-days-in-180 limit. Usually issued to applicants with a strong Schengen travel history.
Documents typically required
- ✓Schengen visa application form, completed and signed on every page; each applicant (including minors) files an individual form.
- ✓Passport issued within the last 10 years, valid at least 3 months beyond the planned return and with at least two blank pages, plus any previous passports and copies of earlier Schengen, UK, US or Canada visas.
- ✓Two recent passport photographs, white background, 35x45 mm, taken within the last 6 months (one pasted on the form, one on the passport).
- ✓Personal cover letter introducing yourself and setting out the purpose, full itinerary and means of transport, and naming any accompanying travellers with their passport and ticket copies.
- ✓Flight tickets showing the traveller's name and travel dates; for multi-country trips, proof of the intra-Schengen itinerary (flights, train, bus or car).
- ✓Confirmed accommodation in Portugal / Schengen (hotel booking, rental or paid tour) covering the entire stay.
- ✓Original travel medical insurance with the Travel Health Declaration, minimum cover of EUR 30,000, covering repatriation, urgent medical care and emergency hospital treatment for the whole Schengen stay (an insurer from the approved list).
- ✓Proof of financial means, originals stamped by the bank: if employed, last 3 months' salary slips and personal bank statements, ITR (ITR-V) for the last two assessment years, and an employer's leave-approval letter; if self-employed, business registration / GST, business and personal statements and company and personal ITRs.
- ✓If sponsored or invited from Portugal: a notarised Statement of Responsibility (Termo de Responsabilidade) with the sponsor's Portuguese ID card, passport or residence permit, tax declaration, three months' payslips and bank statements.
- ✓For minors: birth certificate with Hague Apostille and, where travelling with one parent or alone, notarised parental consent plus ID copies of the parents or guardians.
Your exact checklist depends on your profile — we confirm it during your case analysis. Every visa decision rests with the embassy or consulate.
Apply no earlier than 6 months and no later than 15 days before travel; the consulate advises applying at least one month ahead. Applicants in Goa, Maharashtra and Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu submit at the VFS Global centres in Mumbai, Pune or Goa (assessed by the Consulate General of Portugal in Goa); everyone else uses their nearest VFS Portugal centre (assessed by the Embassy of Portugal in New Delhi). All documents must be in English or Portuguese, or carry a certified translation.
Frequently asked questions
Where in India do I apply for a Portugal tourist visa?
Through VFS Global, by appointment. If you live in Goa, Maharashtra or Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, your case is decided by the Consulate General of Portugal in Goa and submitted at VFS Mumbai, Pune or Goa. Everyone else is decided by the Embassy of Portugal in New Delhi and submits at their nearest VFS Portugal centre. Remember: you apply to Portugal only when it is your main destination or your first Schengen entry point.
How long does the Portugal Schengen visa take, and when should I apply?
Count on at least 15 calendar days from the day your file reaches the consulate, and longer if they ask for more documents, run checks or call you in for an interview. Apply no earlier than 6 months and no later than 15 days before you travel - a month ahead is the comfortable window. The consulate sets the pace, not us.
Can I visit other Schengen countries on a Portugal visa?
Yes. The Type C is a uniform Schengen visa, valid right across the area, letting you stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Two conditions hold: you must apply through Portugal when it is your main destination or first entry point, and carry travel medical insurance of at least EUR 30,000 covering the entire Schengen stay.
Do you guarantee the visa?
No one can. The decision rests solely with the Portuguese consulate and immigration authorities. What we do is give you a frank, honest assessment of your profile and make your application as complete and strong as possible. Over the last 2-3 years our applications have seen a 97% success rate.