Portugal visa and entry requirements

The Schengen Borders Code says a third-country national's travel document must be valid for at least three months after the intended date of departure from the territory of the Member States (this may be waived in a justified case of emergency) and must have been issued within the previous 10 years.

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No official source we read lists a vaccination certificate required for entry.

The Visa Code says applicants for a uniform visa must prove they hold adequate and valid travel medical insurance (for a multiple-entry visa, covering the first intended visit); it must be valid throughout the territory of the Member States, cover the entire intended stay or transit, and the minimum coverage is EUR 30,000. No official source we could read states an insurance requirement for visa-exempt visitors.

No official source we could read states that a return or onward ticket is required. The Schengen Borders Code lists a return or round-trip ticket among the documentary evidence that may be used to verify the fulfilment of entry conditions, and the UK Foreign Office tells British travellers that at Portuguese border control they may need to show an onward or return ticket.

The Schengen Borders Code requires third-country nationals to have sufficient means of subsistence, both for the duration of the intended stay and for the return, or to be in a position to acquire such means lawfully. Portugal's visa portal says a Schengen visa holder should have or be able to legally obtain €75 for each entry and €40 for each day, or present a statement of responsibility signed by a national citizen or legal resident.

• EES — Entry/Exit System (biometric registration) — The EU's Travel to Europe website says that the first time you arrive at a border crossing point since the EES started, passport control officers will take a photo of your face and/or scan your fingerprints, and that this can be quicker if you register some of your data in advance, at a self-service system if available at your border crossing point or through a mobile application if the country makes one available. The UK Foreign Office says there is no cost for EES registration. (at the border on first entry) travel-europe.europa.eu ↗(opens in a new tab)
• ETIAS — European Travel Information and Authorization System — The EU's ETIAS website says 30 European countries, Portugal among them, require visa-exempt travellers to have an ETIAS travel authorisation, but ETIAS is not yet in operation and no applications are being collected; the EU will announce the start date several months before launch. The official ETIAS website is travel-europe.europa.eu. (before travel, once etias starts) travel-europe.europa.eu ↗(opens in a new tab)

Staying in Portugal, or in other EU member states and states applying the Schengen Convention, beyond the authorised period is an administrative offence. The fine is EUR 80 to 160 for up to 30 days, EUR 160 to 320 for over 30 and up to 90 days, EUR 320 to 500 for over 90 and up to 180 days, and EUR 500 to 700 for over 180 days. The same fine applies when the overstay is detected on departure. A foreigner who enters or stays illegally is removed or judicially expelled. A person subject to a removal decision is barred from entering and staying for up to five years, or longer if they are a serious threat to public order, public security or national security. A person who left under article 139(1) or 160(1) is barred for up to three years.

Done by the accommodation.

An accommodation bulletin is filled in and signed in person for every foreign guest, including nationals of other EU member states. Anyone providing paid accommodation to foreigners must send it to the GNR or PSP within three working days, and report the guest's departure within the same period. Foreigners who enter Portugal from another member state across a border without controls must declare their entry within three working days, unless right after entry they stay in a hotel or other accommodation covered by article 16(1). Failing to declare is fined EUR 60 to 160. Accommodation providers who fail to send the bulletins are fined according to the number of bulletins or guests.

If not done: For the accommodation provider: failing to register foreign guests electronically or to submit the accommodation bulletin is fined EUR 100 to 500 (1 to 10 bulletins or guests), EUR 200 to 900 (11 to 50) or EUR 400 to 2,000 (more than 51). For the traveller, failing to make the entry declaration under article 14(1) is fined EUR 60 to 160.

• Porto Municipal Tourist Tax (Taxa Municipal Turística do Porto) — 3 EUR per person per night. Paid at the accommodation.

  Porto's municipal tourist tax is a contribution by guests of tourist establishments and local accommodation in the city. Under the regulation in force since 1 December 2024, it is EUR 3 per overnight stay (dormida), not per booking. Not liable: children aged 12 or under, medical stays (and two companions), and persons with a disability or incapacity of 60% or more (and two companions). Accommodation providers record the amounts collected on the municipal tourist tax platform.

  Exemptions: Children and young people aged 12 or under; stays for medical treatment, extended to two companions; persons with a disability or incapacity of 60% or more, extended to two companions.

Cash of €10,000 or more (or equivalent) must be declared when entering or leaving the EU.

• The EU's Your Europe portal says that when you enter the EU from a non-EU country you can bring goods free of VAT and excise duties if they are not for resale: 4 litres of still wine and 16 litres of beer, plus 1 litre of spirits over 22% vol. or 2 litres of fortified or sparkling wine; where the higher tobacco limit applies, 200 cigarettes (or 100 cigarillos, 50 cigars or 250 g of tobacco), since a higher or lower limit may apply depending on the EU country; and other goods worth up to €300, or €430 for travellers by air and sea. Travellers under 17 are not entitled to a duty-free allowance for tobacco or alcohol.
• The UK FCDO says you cannot take meat, milk or products containing them into EU countries, with some exceptions such as powdered baby milk, baby food and special foods or pet feed required for medical reasons.