Navigating the intricate process of applying for a Portugal tourist visa can be a daunting task, especially for those unacquainted with the necessary documentation and procedures. This article aims to elucidate the essential documents required for a successful visa application, ensuring a smooth and stress-free experience.

1. Passport

• Signed passport, at least 2 blank pages for visa purposes, must be valid for at least 90 days beyond the return date of the trip to the Schengen Area and has to be issued within the last 10 years on the day of leaving the Schengen Area.

• Extended passport may still be valid, but when older than 10 years the passport is no longer acceptable; in that case customers first needs to apply for a new passport.

• Photocopies of previous Schengen visas endorsed in an old passport and issued in the last 3 years, if applicable.

2. Residence Permit

• UK Residence permit, endorsed in the passport or issued as a Biometrics card, must be valid for at least one month beyond the return date of the trip to the Schengen Area; C type visitor visa (see here) is also acceptable, then a Schengen visa application can only be accepted, subject to analysis from the Mission, for Essential Travel (business, study, family reunification, health or humanitarian reasons, and EU Family Members accompanying the corresponding family member)

3. Application form & Photograph:

• Fill the form by the link.

• Fully completed and signed application form. Please fill in and sign the form before attending your appointment.

  In case of a minor the form needs to be signed by both parents/legal guardians.

• Your details (name, signature etc.) must be filled exactly as they appear in your passport.

• One recent colour photograph (not older than 6 months) passport-size, with white or off-white background (meeting all photo requirements mentioned on the website).

4. Proof of current occupation:

a. Employer letter (original): recent (less than 1 month old), signed, headed letter (addressed to the Mission, name and position of the signee and confirming customers employment) AND last 3 months payslips

b. Student letter (original): recent (less than 1 month old), signed, UK school/college/university letter (addressed to the Mission, name and position of the signee and confirming customers enrolment)

c. Self- employment letter (original): recent (less than 1 month old), signed, headed letter (addressed to the Mission, name and position of the signee and confirming customers self-employment) and obtained from (if applicable):

i. customers accountant: when customers company’s accountancy is done by an external/independent accountant

ii. solicitor: when customers company has been registered by a solicitor

iii. bank manager: when customers company has a business bank account

iv. Companies House: Certificate of Incorporation received upon registering business: if customers name is not mentioned on certificate, then additional proof demonstrating connection customer – company should be provided

d. Unemployed/retired

• Receiving Benefits: recent original letter obtained from local Jobcentre or Pension Service

• Not receiving Benefits: cover letter explaining customers financial situation

• Housewife/man (only applicable to married couples): customers may be sponsored by their spouse/registered partner; in these cases the following needs to be provided:

  a.marriage certificate (original + copy): when this document was issued outside the EU and is not in English or Portuguese, then it should be translated by a certified translator in the UK

  b.spouse/registered partner’s passport (original + copy)

  c.spouse/registered partner’s proof of occupation (as in B.1.a, b or c)

  d.spouse/registered partner’s proof of funds

  e.spouse/registered partner’s cover letter (signed & dated) confirming sponsorship

• Fully paid return travel tickets: when paid through a travel agency, then receipt, invoice or payment confirmation should be provided.

• All documents provided regarding your transportation must mention the name of all travellers.

• When travelling by car, please provide driver’s driving license, car registration, car insurance and travel tickets (ferry or Eurotunnel) showing the car’s registration number and passenger’s names.

• If travelling through more Schengen countries, all evidence of transportation between countries need to be provided.

5. Proof of funds:

a.Latest 3 months UK current account bank statements showing customers name, address and an end balance dated within the last month on the visa application submission date; balance needs to show a minimum amount of £ 50.00/day of stay in the Schengen Area + outstanding accommodation and travel fees (alternatively online bank account printouts are also accepted).

b.Travellers’ cheques covering the same amount as explained under a.

6. Proof of travel (airplane, train, boat, coach, (hired) car)

a.Confirmed return travel tickets: mentioning customers name and travel dates to & from the Schengen Area

b.When travelling by car: car registration, car insurance, return travel tickets (ferry or Eurotunnel) mentioning the car’s registration number and driver’s driving licence. If the customer is not the driver, then driver’s cover letter (signed & dated) confirming joint travel with the customers and travel dates need to be provided too.

When travel tickets have been paid through travel agency, then a receipt, an invoice or a payment confirmation is also required.

7. Proof of accommodation

• Confirmed accommodation (hotel, hostel, camping,…) reservation mentioning customers name, travel dates and accommodation address details.

• If the customers name is not mentioned on the accommodation reservation, then a joint travel confirmation letter, signed and dated by the person whose name is on the reservation, must also be provided along with a photocopy of that same person’s passport/ID card + passport signature page, if signature is not on passport’s bio page.

• When accommodation is reserved for a group, then a list with the names of the group members will also be required; alternatively the group members their names may also be mentioned on the travel ticket.

8. Travel insurance (all-risk medical travel insurance)

The travel insurance – clearly showing the customers name - has to be valid throughout the complete territory of the Schengen Area and must cover the entire period of the customers intended stay in the Schengen Area; the minimum coverage for medical emergency and repatriation (in case of death clause included) must be 30.000 €.

Important notes:

• The list of documents below is not an exhaustive list of documents and the customer can always be asked to provide additional information/documents, if desired by the Mission.

• Both the standard and the supporting documentation have to be recent, i.e. not older than 1 month, and need to be provided for every Schengen visa application.

• Customers always have to bring and present their original documents, but they only need to submit photocopies of the same; unless the requirements specify that an original document has to be submitted.

For other types of visas check the list by the link.