Portugal visa requirements for South Africans

Travel and visa requirements

Basic Travel Requirements for South Africans visiting Portugal

Travelers are required to fulfill the following requirements in order to apply for a Portuguese Visa.

  • A valid passport with at least 3 months validity and at least 2 blank pages are required.
  • Two recent passport photographs that follow the format of a Portugal visa should be provided. The photo should also be on a light background.
  • A copy of the applicant's return ticket is needed.
  • A bank statement dating back to at least 6 months must be submitted so as to show that you can financially sustain yourself for the duration of stay.
  • Children below the age of 12 are not required to go to the embassy for the interview.
  • Applicants should ensure they have a copy of the correctly filled and signed visa application form.
  • Travel insurance.
  • Proof of accommodation for the duration of stay must be provided.
  • If the trip is sponsored by a friend or relative in Portugal, then an invitation letter is needed.
  • Applicants below the age of 18 years must provide the following documents:
    • A copy of the birth certificate.
    • A consent letter from Parents.

Portugal Visa for South Africans

Facts about Portugal

Portugal is a great destination for tourists. The country is located on the Atlantic Ocean and this has really had a great influence on the culture of the people in the country. There are a lot of beautiful beaches and islands in the country as a result of the location of the country. The oceanarium is a top choice of tourists. The oceanarium gives tourists a little feel of the life of sea animals in the ocean. Other top destination includes; Furnas lake, Matosinhos beach, and the Museu Calouste Gulbenkian just to mention a few.

Portugal is a prime destination among tourists and this is reflected in the number of foreign visits the country gets yearly. Over 60 million people visited Portugal in the year 2016 and that figure went up by 12 percent the following year.

Types of Portugal Visa

Types of Visa Processing Time Duration of Stay
Tourist visa 15 days 90 days
Business visa 15 days 90 days
Medical visa 15 days 90 days
Official visa 15 days 90 days
Student visa 2 months 6 months-5 years
Transit visa 15 days 24 hours

General Requirements for Portugal Visa

  • A valid passport with at least 3 months validity and at least 2 blank pages are required.
  • Two recent passport photographs that follow the format of a Portugal visa should be provided. The photo should also be on a light background.
  • A copy of the applicant's return ticket is needed.
  • A bank statement dating back to at least 6 months must be submitted so as to show that you can financially sustain yourself for the duration of stay.
  • Children below the age of 12 are not required to go to the embassy for the interview.
  • Applicants should ensure they have a copy of the correctly filled and signed visa application form.
  • Travel insurance.
  • Proof of accommodation for the duration of stay must be provided.
  • If the trip is sponsored by a friend or relative in Portugal, then an invitation letter is needed.
  • Applicants below the age of 18 years must provide the following documents:
    • A copy of the birth certificate.
    • A consent letter from Parents.
Portugal Tourist visa Portugal Business visa Portugal Medical visa Portugal Official visa Portugal Student visa Portugal Transit visa

Portugal Tourist Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • This visa is issued to people who want to visit the country for tourism and leisure purposes.
  • This visa also allow its holder to visit friends and families in Portugal. A letter of invitation containing the host's necessary details must be provided in this case.
  • The visa application form for the Portugal Schengen  visa can be downloaded or filled electronically. The visa filled online should be printed out.
  • The visa processing usually takes about 2 weeks and is valid for a period of 90 days.
  • Applicants are expected to fill a form for a multiple entry Schengen visa.
  • A valid passport that was issued not later than 5-10 years from the application period and has two blank pages for visa stamps is to be submitted.  
  • It typically costs about €60 unless otherwise stated on the passport.
  • Applicants with previous visas are required to present them as part of the documents.
  • Reservations should be made for a return ticket to South Africa. Note it is not recommended to get the ticket before obtaining a visa.
  • There should be a proof of confirmed accommodation in Portugal. This might be hotel booking reservations or address of a residential apartment.
  • Applicants of this visa type are not allowed to take up paid employment during their time in the country.
  • You are also not allowed to take up permanent residence with this visa.
  • If you are traveling with a minor, the application form of the minor should be signed by both parents.
  • You will not be allowed to study with this visa.

Portugal Business Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • This type of visa is issued to those who visit the country to conduct businesses, attend business meetings and sign business contracts.
  • Holders of this visa are not allowed to take up any paid employment in the country.
  • A letter of invitation is needed from either the employer or partner company to state coverage of applicant’s expenses during his stay in the country.
  • A certificate which approves your business travel is required from your current employer.
  • A receipt of the visa application fee must be tendered.
  • This visa does not allow you to study in any institution in the country.
  • The business visa costs about €60 to process.
  • The  business visa takes a period of 15 days to be processed and it is valid for 90 days.

Portugal Medical Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • This type of visa is issued to those who want medical treatment but cannot get such in their home country.
  • A letter of invitation from the medical institution is mandatory.
  • Evidence of the covered medical treatment is also required.
  • Applicants for this visa are required to submit a diagnosis from their local physician stating the kind of ailment and reason the treatment cannot be gotten in South Africa.
  • If the applicant is a minor, a consent form which should be signed by both parents is mandatory.
  • Proof of covered medical bill must be provided.
  • An original copy of birth certificate should be tendered in cases of minors. 
  • The medical visa fee is €60.
  • The visa is processed for about 15 days and is valid for 3 months.
  • You are expected to leave the country at the conclusion of treatment.

Portugal Official Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • This is the visa issued to government delegates from a foreign country.
  • The identity of the applicant should be submitted at the embassy.
  • A diplomatic note stating the applicant's status in the government and purpose of visit is required from the South African government is required.
  • Diplomats with non-official reasons for visiting the country will be denied this visa.
  • Local government officials representing their states will not be issued this visa.
  • Original copy of minor’s birth certificate is required.
  • You are not allowed to tour the country or take up paid employment with this visa type.
  • Official visa processing take a period of 15 days and ceases to be valid after 90 days.
  • The visa processing fee is €60.

Portugal Student Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • The Portugal study visa is meant for those who seek to attend one of the country’s institutions of learning.
  • There are two types of Schengen visa that can be gotten for this purpose:
    • The type-C visa is gotten for short stays or for transit. The short stay is always within the period of six months. This visa allows one, two or multiple entry.
    • The type D visa is for a period longer than 6 months. It could last for at most five years.  
  • Applicant's bank statement for the last three months is needed to prove financial sustenance for the duration of stay.
  • Enrollment certificate which allows for attendance of courses is needed.
  • If you are minor, the original copy of your birth certificate is required during the visa application process.
  • Proof of accommodation for the duration of the stay in the country should be provided.
  • The visa could take 2-3 months to be issued.
  • You are also required to submit a criminal record to show if you have committed crimes in the past.
  • All students are required to get a residence permit or card.
  • Students from South Africa are allowed to take up casual employment with this visa. 

Portugal Transit Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • This visa is issued to people who need to stop at the airport to board a connecting flight to their destination country.
  • The holder is not allowed to visit any relative or friend.
  • Foreigners with this kind of visa can neither study nor take up paid employment while in the country.
  • Minors should ensure that they have the original copy of their birth certificate.
  • The visa and flight ticket of the destination country must be tendered.
  • The transit visa is a single-entry visa.
  • You are expected to leave the country before your visa expires.
  • It is valid for only 24 hours.

Portugal Visa Fees

Visa Type

Sub Types

Visa Fees

Tourist visa

60.00 (EUR)

Business visa

60.00 (EUR)

Medical visa

60.00 (EUR)

Official visa

60.00 (EUR)

Student visa

60.00 (EUR)

Transit visa

60.00 (EUR)

Portugal Visa Application Centres & Embassies in South Africa

Location

Address

Pretoria

599, Leyds Street Muckleneuk Pretoria 0002

http://www.embaixadaportugal.org.za/contactos.htm

pretoria@mne.pt

012 341 2340

Pretoria

Portuguese Embassy. 32 George Storrar Dr, Groenkloof, Pretoria, 0027, South Africa

http://www.embaixadaportugal.org.za

+27 12 346 8224

Johannesburg

15 Ernest Oppenheimer Ave, Bruma, Johannesburg, 2026, South Africa.

+27 11 622 0645

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I extend a Schengen visa in Portugal?
Yes, you can extend your Schengen visa but only in exceptional cases where new facts and special reasons arise after entry in Portugal.
How long does it take to process a Portugal visa?

Generally, it takes about a period of two weeks.

How do I submit a Portugal visa application?

Your Portugal visa application can be submitted at any nearest visa application center to you.

How much does a Portugal visa cost?

A short stay visa costs about €60 while a long stay visa goes for €99.

Are there things that are considered offensive in Portugal?

There are a couple of things that are frowned at while in Portugal. Pointing at people and things for example is considered very offensive except you have the intention of buying in the case of objects. Getting too drunk is also very offensive in Portugal.