Portugal, one of Europe's oldest nations, is a dream destination for many travellers who yearn to explore its fascinating architecture and indulge in its unique cuisines. But before you pack your bags, ensure you have a visa and mandatory travel insurance for your journey from India. 

Dive into this blog to uncover all you need about Portugal visas and jot down the details that will be invaluable for your travels. Safe travels and happy exploring!

Yes, Indians do need to have a Portuguese Schengen Visa. Your visa will differ depending on the days you plan to stay and how often you plan to visit here. The most standard type of visa is the short-stay visa.

No, Indian nationals must apply for a visa in advance; they are not eligible for visas on arrival.

Yes, travel insurance is mandatory when travelling to Portugal. Portugal is a part of the Schengen countries. Hence, to acquire a Schengen visa, you must have valid Travel Insurance. 

Here are some of the essential eligibility criteria that one must adhere to while applying for a Portuguese visa.

• A visitor must have a valid purpose for travelling to Portugal.
• They must own a valid passport with at least two blank pages.
• The passport must remain valid for three months after the visitor has left the country.
• Applicants should have sufficient financial resources to support their tour throughout their term of stay.
• Travel insurance is also one of the critical aspects which everyone must plan to get along with preparing for the trip to Portugal.

1. If travelling to meet a friend or family member staying in Schengen country

• Original signed invitation letter from the family member/friend staying in the Schengen country
• Their address and contact details
• Intended period and duration of stay
• Evidence of legal residence of family/friends visited: copy of passport/national ID card (first and last page if it's an Indian passport) + copy of their residence permit (Inviter in the Schengen country) if applicable.
• Name and passport number of traveller
• Purpose of trip and itinerary of the visit in brief

2. If the application is not submitted by the applicant directly

• Signed authorisation letter for the travel agent or the representative
• Copy of the passport of the person submitting the application

3. If travelling to meet a friend or family member staying in Schengen country

• Original signed invitation letter from the family member/friend staying in the Schengen country

• Their address and contact details

• Intended period and duration of stay

• Evidence of legal residence of family/friends visited: copy of passport/national ID card (first and last page if it's an Indian passport) + copy of their residence permit (Inviter in the Schengen country) if applicable.

• Name and passport number of traveller

• Purpose of trip and itinerary of the visit in brief

4. If the application is not submitted by the applicant directly

• Signed authorisation letter for the travel agent or the representative

• Copy of the passport of the person submitting the application

5. In the case of a retired applicant

• Pension statements for the last three months and

• Proof of regular income generated by ownership of property or business

• Applicant's bank statements for the previous 3 months stamped by the bank (passbook copies are not accepted)

6. If self-employed

• Business registration documents and recent bank statements of the business

7. If unemployed

• Applicant's bank statements for the last 3 months stamped by the bank (passbook copies are not accepted)

8. If a student

• Enrollment certificate and a no-objection letter from your school or university

9. Proof of civil status

• If married, a marriage certificate is needed

• If divorced, divorce decree/custody decree is needed

• If travelling with children, the birth certificate of the children must be provided

• If applicable, the death certificate of the spouse should be provided

10. In the case of a retired applicant

• Pension statements for the last three months and

• Proof of regular income generated by ownership of property or business

• Applicant's bank statements for the previous 3 months stamped by the bank (passbook copies are not accepted)

11. If self-employed

• Business registration documents and recent bank statements of the business

12. If unemployed

• Applicant's bank statements for the last 3 months stamped by the bank (passbook copies are not accepted)

13. If a student

• Enrollment certificate and a no-objection letter from your school or university

14. Proof of civil status

• If married, a marriage certificate is needed

• If divorced, divorce decree/custody decree is needed

• If travelling with children, the birth certificate of the children must be provided

• If applicable, the death certificate of the spouse should be provided

Identify the Schengen Country You Want to Visit

Choose the country or countries you wish to visit within the Schengen area and decide which one you will enter first. This is crucial because the visa application process and required documents vary based on each country’s regulations. Once selected, identify the appropriate consulate or embassy for your visa application.

Select the Consulate or Embassy to apply for a Portugal Visa

There are three ways to select the consulate:

1. If you plan to travel to multiple Schengen countries, you should apply for a visa at the embassy or consulate of the country you will visit most days. This will be your primary destination. 

2. If there is no specific main destination and you visit multiple countries randomly, you should apply at the embassy or consulate of the first Schengen country you enter.

3. If you want to visit one specific country, apply to that country's consulate/embassy. 

If the country you're visiting doesn't have an embassy or consulate in India or doesn't process visas, you can apply through the Schengen state that represents it for visa matters.

What Is the First Port of Entry for a Schengen Visa?

The first port of entry for a Schengen visa is the first Schengen country a foreign visitor enters. Through the first port of entry, you enter the Schengen Area, and from there, you can travel to any other Schengen country using the same visa.

Initiate the Portugal Visa Application

To start your Schengen visa application, head to the official website of the application centre or the embassy or consulate website representing the country you plan to visit first in the Schengen Area.

Check If You Need a Schengen Visa

Once you land on the right website, the first thing you should do is check if you need a visa and the particular visa type by providing your nationality, age, leading destination of stay, country of submission of application, etc., in the designated section.

The processing time for a Portugal tourist visa for Indians typically ranges from 2 to 15 working days. However, it can sometimes take up to 45 days, especially if additional documentation requests or interviews are required. To avoid any delay, applying at least two weeks before your travel date is advisable.

• Ensure all your information and documents are accurate and complete to avoid delays.

• Beware of offers to speed up your visa process or guarantee approval for a fee.

• Use bank statements, sponsorship letters, or scholarship proofs to show you can afford your stay in Portugal.

• Schedule an appointment at the Portuguese embassy or consulate in India.

If your Portugal visa application is rejected, you will get a notification. You can appeal within a specific timeframe by providing additional documentation to the Portuguese embassy or consulate. If the appeal fails, you may need to wait before reapplying with corrected information. Addressing the issues can improve your chances of success in future applications.

To avoid having your Portugal visa application rejected, make sure you submit all required documents accurately. Provide clear financial proof, like bank statements or sponsorship letters. Clearly state your trip's purpose and support it with documents. Apply well in advance to avoid delays, and double-check all details for accuracy. Consider getting professional help to meet all requirements. Doing this can improve your chances of getting your visa approved.

Yes, you can extend your Portugal visa while in the country. Make sure to apply before your visa expires and provide a valid reason for the extension, such as medical treatment or family emergencies. The extension duration depends on your visa type and personal circumstances.

Buying travel insurance for Portugal will protect you financially if something unexpected happens. It will also help you relax and enjoy your trip without worrying about money.

Engage in Exciting Adventure Sports Without Worries

You can enjoy adventure sports that last less than 24 hours continuously, provided you participate in a non-professional capacity and under the supervision of a trained professional, during your trip because this cover provides protection if things go wrong.

Medical treatment and evacuation exigencies

It is a cover for unexpected emergencies requiring hospitalisation due to an illness or acute pain. We will pay reasonable charges as per your policy.

Loss of Passport, Driving License and Temporary Permit

If you lose your passport, visa, driving license, or temporary permit while abroad, and it stops you from continuing your trip. Then we'll cover costs incurred in the issuance of an emergency certificate or duplicate passport so that you can get back on enjoying your trip.

Accidental Treatment and Evacuation Exigencies

If you meet with an accident during your trip, resulting in hospitalization, the cost of treatment will be covered. We will pay reasonable and customary charges as mentioned in the policy.

Receive Compensation for Lost/Stolen Baggage

In case of luggage delay or theft in transit, we will compensate you after deducting depreciation.

Hijack Distress Allowance

In case your trip gets interrupted because the common carrier is hijacked, we'll pay you for each day of the hijacking, up to the amount mentioned in your policy.