How Long Can You Stay in Portugal Without a Visa?
Whether you’re traveling to Portugal for vacation, business, or work, you will need to get the right visa for your trip. Read on to learn more about what you need to do.
Citizens of countries that are part of the Schengen Area don’t need a visa to travel to Portugal for up to 90 days in a 6 month period. This includes US and Canadian passport holders.
Schengen Area
The Schengen Area is a group of European Union (EU) and non-EU countries which share common rules for visa-free travel. These rules were first established in 1985 and later signed by the EU member states of Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal and Switzerland. Since then, the Schengen Area has expanded and is now made up of 28 countries and Liechtenstein.
The VIS and SIS systems are crucial for the proper functioning of the area, as they collect, process and share information between the member states. They help with law enforcement and cooperation within the countries, reducing barriers and helping to make the European Union as safe as possible for everyone.
To enter the Schengen Area, you need a valid passport. You must also have a visa for the country you are visiting. You can apply for a visa online at the nearest Portuguese embassy or consulate, but you should make an appointment in advance.
Depending on the type of visa you are applying for, you may need to meet different requirements. Generally, you need to have a minimum income of EUR2,800 per month, a clean criminal record and be able to provide proof of long-term accommodation in Portugal.
You can also apply for the Temporary-Stay Digital Nomad Visa or the D7 Passive Income Visa if you are working as a digital nomad and want to live in Portugal. The D2 Entrepreneur Visa and Golden Visa are more targeted towards those looking to invest in the country and pursue a path to permanent residency.
For both of these, you will need to have a Portuguese bank account and evidence of long-term accommodation in Portugal. You should also have a valid passport and a residence permit for your home country.
The temporary-stay visa is best for digital nomads who are planning to work remotely from Portugal. Citizens of the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand can get this visa if they have a minimum income of EUR2,800. You can also get a visa for any other country if you meet the criteria.
Once you have the visa, you can then visit Portugal for up to 120 days in order to register as a resident. During this time, you must also pay your taxes and open a local bank account. After this, you will be eligible to apply for a residency permit and permanent residency or citizenship.
Lastly, you can apply for a visa if you have family members living in Portugal. This is a relatively easy way to stay in the country, but it is also quite costly.
If you have more questions about the Portugal visa process, our team at Global Citizen Solutions can help you find the right route for your needs! Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
The Schengen Area was created in 1985 to eliminate internal border controls. It was initially made up of five EC member states, but it was later expanded to include the rest of Europe and now includes a total of 28 countries.
