How to get a visa to Portugal for Russians in 2021?

Portugal joins Schengen

• May tours
  around the world
• Last minute tours
  around the world

To get to the westernmost tip of Europe - Portugal, you need a Schengen visa. It can be applied for at visa centers or directly at the consular section of the Portuguese Embassy. The list of documents for obtaining a visa corresponds to the “general Schengen” one. The procedure itself is simple, but it requires some attention, time and money.

Types of visas

The Consular Section of the Portuguese Embassy in Moscow issues only two categories of visas:

• category C - short-term tourist. Designed for those who visit the country as a tourist or come for a visit, as well as for business, medical and other purposes. It can be single, double or multiple and allows you to cross the borders of any country within the Schengen area. Moreover, the total time spent in Portugal or Schengen should not exceed 90 days within six months.
• category D - long-term national, for permanent stay in Portugal for a period of more than 90 days. Required for contract work in Portuguese companies and other organizations in the country; for studying or teaching at universities; professional sports; for family reunification. To be completed in person at the consular department.

Possible reasons for refusal to issue a visa by the Portuguese consulate

Despite the fact that there may be many possible reasons for refusal to obtain a visa, at least one of them is enough for the decision to be made not in your favor.

The most common reasons are:

• concealment or distortion of facts presented in the application form and other documents (concealment of a criminal record, exaggeration of salary levels, discrepancy between travel dates and hotel booking dates, lack of finances for the entire stay in Portugal, etc.);
• previously committed violations of the visa regime with other states of the Schengen area: exceeding the period of stay, violating the rule of the country of first entry (if you are planning a trip to several countries, you need to apply for a visa of the one you are going to visit first), using a visa issued for a specific purpose for other purposes actions (working on a tourist visa, not getting married if there is an entry stamp for the bride, etc.);
• a passport provided with insufficient validity (especially relevant when requesting a long-term stay in Portugal);
• committing administrative offenses and/or crimes during previous visits to Schengen countries.

However, even if you were denied the first time you tried to provide documents, you can try to file an appeal by redoing incorrect documents or eliminating errors and inaccuracies in the data.

Applying for a visa yourself

Documents for visa applications are accepted at the consular department in Moscow, as well as Portugal visa centers in the Russian Federation.
The latter do not make decisions on issuing a visa, but are intermediaries between the applicant and the Consular Section. They are run by VFS Global (office site) and are located in Moscow, St. Petersburg and other cities of Russia. To submit documents through the consular department, you must fill out an online form at the office. website of the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and select the date of your visit to the consulate. The waiting period is usually 5-10 working days, in fact - 2-3 weeks. To submit documents to the visa center in Moscow, a prior appointment is required on the VFS Global website. You can apply to regional visa centers on a first-come, first-served basis.

The visa processing time is 5-10 working days, in fact – 2-3 weeks.

At visa centers you can get additional services: SMS notification about the readiness of the passport for issue (150 RUB); courier delivery of a finished passport to any address in the Russian Federation (1-7 days, 705-1690 RUB for each passport, a discount is provided for delivery of 3 or more passports to one address); filling out a form (300 RUB); photography (300 RUB for 6 photos); photocopying of documents (20 RUB/sheet). Prices on the page are for April 2021.

Visa processing time

• when applying for a visa to Portugal through a travel agency
  , check the deadlines with your manager, usually they are
  5-7 working days
  from the date of application + time to send documents from the city of departure, and in the high season this period increases to 10 days
• when applying for a visa through visa centers,
  the period is
  from 5 working days
  , plus time for sending documents
• Documents for obtaining a Portuguese visa can be submitted no earlier than 3 months before departure
  .

Documents for a visa to Portugal

Required documents to obtain Schengen category C:

1. Questionnaires
2. Photography
   3 color photographs (see photo requirements below);
3. International passport
   Must have two blank pages, valid for more than 3 months after the planned departure from the Schengen area;
4. Copy of international passport
   A copy of the first page of the international passport is required;
5. Certificate of employment
   Certificate of employment with the stated position and salary;
6. Bank account statement
   The statement must be recent and not older than 6 months;
7. For students, schoolchildren
   Certificate from the place of study, sponsorship letter with a photocopy of the sponsor's general passport, certificate from work/extract from the sponsor's account (issued according to the general rules);
8. Medical insurance
   Medical insurance valid throughout the Schengen territory and for the entire duration of the trip (the amount of insurance coverage is at least 30,000 EUR);
9. Receipt
   for payment of the consular fee;
10. Copy of tickets
    A photocopy of air tickets or round-trip tickets for any type of transport.
11. Hotel reservation
    Confirmation of the reserved room in the hotel/hostel. The document must indicate all members of the incoming family/company, as well as information about payment for accommodation;
12. Photocopy of a general passport
    Copies of the first spread of a Russian passport, pages with marital status, registration and number of the issued international passport;
13. For a private visit: invitation and/or confirmation of relationship
    A written request/invitation from the host. As well as documents confirming the legality of the inviting person’s stay in Portugal.
14. For a business visa: invitation and copy of the agreement
    A written invitation from the host company or organization with full details. Invitation to participate in a conference/seminar, business trip program, tickets to a trade exhibition, etc. documents.
15. To travel in a rented car,
    confirmation of car reservation and a copy of the International Driver's License are required.
16. For a national visa
    To obtain a category D visa, you must contact the consulate and obtain a list of additional documents.

When submitting documents, they must be folded in a certain order (there are instructions at the consulate and visa centers).

List of documents for obtaining a visa to Portugal through a travel agency

An approximate list of documents required to obtain a Portuguese visa (different tour operators may require a different set of documents):

• international passport
  valid for 3 months after the end of the trip. Be sure to have two blank pages. The passport must not be damaged, torn, dirty, or have any extraneous entries or marks. All corrections in the passport must be certified by the seal of the issuing authority. The passport must contain the signature of the owner from the age of 14;
• application form for a visa to Portugal in two copies. The application form must have the original signature of the tourist, as in the international passport (signature in paragraph 37 and at the end of the 4th page), one of the parents signs for the minor;
• 3 color photographs
  : 3.5x4.5 cm, matte, on a white background, without corners, ovals, stamps, black glasses, in dark clothes, less than 6 months old, head size 3.2-3.6 cm (70-80 % of the entire image). The passport should not contain visas with this photo;
• copies
  of the first page
  of the international passport
  and all Schengen visas in it. If the passport contains visas opened by the consulates of Schengen countries, but the border crossing stamp was placed by another Schengen country, then a written explanatory note from the tourist is required to provide the reasons for this discrepancy;
• copies
  of all
  Schengen visas
  in canceled passports, including copies of the first pages of these passports;
• copies
  of all completed pages
  of the internal passport
  . In case of a change of surname and replacement of a civil passport with a new one, the tourist MUST replace the foreign passport with a new surname within one month from the date of change of surname;
• a certificate from the place of employment
  on the company's letterhead indicating the telephone number and address of the organization, position, length of service and monthly salary of the applicant (at least 20,000 rubles), the period of paid leave is indicated. The certificate must indicate the date of issue. The certificate is valid for no more than a month from the date of submission of documents to the Consulate. The certificate is signed by the head of the organization and certified by a seal. If the head of the enterprise is a relative or namesake, a second signature is required (chief accountant, deputy director, head of human resources). Working pensioners additionally provide a pension certificate;
• confirmation
  of a sufficient amount of funds (if the salary is less than 45,000 rubles) - an original bank account statement with movements for the last 6 months on bank letterhead, confirming that the tourist has sufficient funds, at the rate of 75 euros on the first day and 40 euros each for all subsequent days for each participant of the trip, regardless of payment for hotels/tickets or, in case of insufficient personal funds, an application from the sponsor to assume all expenses, indicating the relationship of the sponsor and the sponsored + documents confirming the relationship: copies of the marriage certificate / birth, + a copy of the first page and page with registration of the internal passport, a certificate from the sponsor’s place of work and an extract from his account;
• for tourists who are married
  but have different surnames, it is necessary to attach
  a copy of the marriage certificate
  ;
• if one of the tourists has a valid Schengen visa
  , you must attach copies of the double-page spread of your passport with a photo and visa;
• if your own funds are insufficient,
  be sure to include
  a statement from the sponsor
  agreeing to cover all expenses

Additional requirements

for non-working people
(schoolchildren, students, pensioners, housewives, etc.):

• certificate from the place of study
  (students, schoolchildren)
• copy of student ID
  (students)
• a copy of the pension book
  , notarized (pensioners)
• a statement from the sponsor
  about accepting all expenses, indicating the relationship between the sponsor and the sponsored person (+ a copy of the relationship document), + a copy of his international passport (first page) or a copy of the first page and page with registration of the internal passport, a certificate from the sponsor’s place of work, with indicating a salary of at least 20,000 rubles or a bank account statement at the rate of 57 euros per day per person.

for individual entrepreneurs

and those who work for them (in addition to a certificate from the place of work):

• a copy of the certificate of registration
  with the tax authority
• a copy of registration certificate
  with the tax authority

for minors:

• a notarized copy of the child's birth certificate
  . If the surname of one or both parents in the birth certificate does not coincide with the surname of the child, it is necessary to provide notarized copies of documents confirming the relationship (certificate of paternity, marriage certificate, divorce certificate)
• when a child leaves with one of the parents,
  it is necessary to provide a copy of the notarized permission to leave from the second parent + a copy of the internal passport of the parent giving consent to the entry and exit of the child
• when a child leaves accompanied by third parties,
  it is necessary to provide a copy of the notarized permission to leave from both parents + copies of their internal passports, including the accompanying person
• a copy of the visa
  + a double page of the passport with the details of the accompanying person (or parents), if any;
• in the event of the death of one of the parents or deprivation of his parental rights, it is necessary to provide copies of the relevant documents. If one of the parents is missing, a police certificate is required; if at the birth of the child the father was registered according to the mother’s words, it is necessary to provide a certificate from the regional registry office - form 25 (original or notarized copy)

Sponsors can only be immediate family members

- spouses, parents, children, grandparents (documents confirming relationship must be provided)

The consulate reserves the right to request additional documents and invite a tourist for an interview, regardless of his location.

Confirmation of financial solvency

The availability of funds for a trip to Portugal can be confirmed by bank certificates, traveler's checks, a bank card, accompanied by a bank certificate about the account status (valid for 1 month). If the applicant’s stay in Portugal is paid for by a third party (sponsor), then a bank certificate and a certificate of employment are provided on his behalf along with a letter of guarantee and a copy of the first page of his Russian passport.

Certificates of currency exchange, as well as account statements in any currency other than rubles, euros and dollars are not accepted.

The required amount of funds for one person to stay in Portugal is calculated from the following condition: 75 EUR on the first day and 40 EUR for each subsequent day of the trip, regardless of paid hotels and transportation costs.

Documents for a visa to Portugal: list from 2021

All visa documents must be translated into Portuguese or English. Originals or copies of documents are not returned from the Portuguese Embassy.

For a Schengen visa to Portugal you must provide:

1. completed application form (2 original copies);
2. valid international passport;
3. 3 photos;
4. information about accommodation (reservation or payment) or travel agency voucher;
5. tickets (reservation);
6. original certificate from the bank about the account in rubles/euro/dollars or a sponsorship letter;
7. photocopy of internal passport;
8. health insurance.

If possible, a certificate from the place of work or study is provided. A copy of your pension certificate is also suitable. If you have previously issued Schengen visas from any country in your old passport, you can attach copies of them.

Photo for a visa to Portugal

Portuguese diplomats' photo requirements are practically no different from those generally accepted in the EU. It must have a size of 35x45 mm, be rectangular (oval are not accepted), clear, and in color. The background is specified separately - only white.

Visa documents for children

Portugal visa centers accept documents for a child's visa only if he has his own passport.

A copy of the internal passport for minors under 14 years of age is replaced with a copy of the birth certificate. If a child is traveling with one of the parents or with a third party, a consent to travel (notarized) is required. Copies of the parents’ internal passports (all completed pages) are attached to it.

Additional documents for different types of visas

Depending on the purpose of the trip to Portugal, the following are provided:

• invitation from an organization or individual;
• confirmation of relationship;
• a copy of real estate documents (Caderneta Predial);
• Termo de responsabilidade (obligation to pay or accept expenses);
• student ID or certificate of enrollment;
• employment contract;
• report or certificate from a medical institution.

Lisbon, Portugal

Visa application for children

Children under 14 years of age who do not have their own passport are granted a visa provided that their details and photograph are included in the passport of one of the parents. A separate form is filled out for them, and a copy of the Birth Certificate is attached to the package of documents. A child over 14 years old must have a foreign passport. The visa application form for minors is signed by parents or guardians.

If a child travels with one of the parents, a notarized permission to leave from the other is required. It is also necessary to present copies of all completed pages of the Russian foreign passport of the parent giving permission. Permission is not required in the event of the death of one of the parents or deprivation of parental rights (supporting documents must be provided). A child entering Portugal without parents, accompanied by a third party other than a passport, must have a notarized permission from both parents to leave, indicating the passport details of the person responsible for the child.

Portuguese visa for a child

A separate visa is required for children.
When applying for a visa for minors, the identity document is a birth certificate.

The written consent of the parent (guardian) is also required. If a child travels accompanied by only one parent, the consent of the absent parent is confirmed. The application is accompanied by passport data (photocopy of the completed pages of the internal passport) of the absent parent.

Sample consent for a child to travel abroad for one of the parents (823 Downloads) Sample consent for a parent to travel abroad for a child accompanied by a third party (703 Downloads)

• Read more about the Schengen visa for a child ->

Photo requirements

The visa requires 3 color photographs without a corner, on a white or light gray background, taken less than 6 months before submitting documents. The skin color is natural, the gaze is directed directly into the lens. You cannot be photographed wearing a headdress (its presence is allowed only for religious reasons), outerwear, dark glasses, or with hair covering the face. If you wear glasses all the time, glare on the glass, as well as frames that cover your eyes, are not allowed in the photo.

The length of the head from the chin to the crown is approximately 30 mm (70-80% of the area). The photo is taken from the front, the gaze is directed at the camera, there is no smile.

List of required documents

You can apply for a tourist visa to Portugal either directly through the Embassy or through a visa service center.

In addition to the application form with the applicant’s signatures in several places, the following documents will be required

1. original passport and a copy of the opening page;
2. 2 color photos (according to specified rules);
3. copies of completed pages of the national passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation;
4. medical insurance (issued with us);
5. check for the fee for consular services;
6. certificates from work and bank;
7. biometrics.

In addition to the above, you need to prepare tickets for the trip. If you plan to travel in your own car, you must additionally include documents confirming your car’s registration, driver’s license, and car insurance. An important aspect is place of residence.

Suitable as supporting documents:

• A certificate from the hotel, drawn up on a corporate template, which indicates the personal data of the applicant, period of stay, and payment form.
• Hotel reservation. A printout from the website will do.
• Reservation of another type of housing (apartment, cottage, villa, etc.).

Consular fee – 35 €

For citizens of the Russian Federation, the consular fee for processing an application for a category C visa is 35 EUR, for urgent processing (within 3 working days) - 70 EUR. For category D visas – 75 EUR. Close relatives, children under 6 years of age, schoolchildren, students, teachers, disabled people and accompanying persons, as well as a number of other categories, are exempt from paying the fee. When submitting documents through visa centers, an additional service fee of 26 EUR is charged. Payment of consular fees, service and other services is made in rubles at the exchange rate of the Central Bank of the Russian Federation on the day of payment.

Visa centers charge an additional service fee of 26 EUR.

How much does a visa to Portugal cost in 2021?

A consular fee will be charged for processing your Portuguese visa application. Children, disabled people, schoolchildren and students heading to study, and relatives of EU citizens are exempt from it.

Consular visa fee is:

• 35 € for Schengen;
• 70 € for urgent processing of Schengen documents;
• 75 € for a temporary residence visa;
• 90 € for a resident visa.

Visa centers additionally charge visitors a service (26 €) and logistics (450 rubles) fees. The service service is mandatory for all VCs, and the logistics service is not paid for by visitors to the Moscow visa center.

Fees are accepted in cash in rubles. The exact cost of a visa depends on the exchange rate and is subject to change without notice.

Embassy and consulates of Portugal in Russia

Embassy of Portugal in Russia

Portugal Visa Application Center in Moscow

Portugal Visa Application Center in St. Petersburg

Main types of visas

The Portuguese Embassy issues 3 types of visas to Russians - transit category A, Schengen category C and national category D. Which one is needed in a particular case depends on the purpose of visiting the country.

Transit visa to Portugal

A transit visa is required for air passengers for whom a Portuguese airport is a transfer point for a plane bound for a country outside the Schengen area. But you can do without a transit permit if the interval between flights does not exceed 24 hours and the passenger does not intend to leave the airport terminal.

Schengen is issued most often. The document is issued to tourists, those who go on a visit or to a business meeting with business partners, athletes, journalists, etc. The holder of a category C visa has the opportunity to cross the border of any country participating in the Schengen Agreement.

National visa to Portugal category D - long-term

A national visa is issued to Russians who wish to reunite with family members legally residing in Portuguese territory, who have entered into a work contract and have enrolled in an educational institution in the country.

Validity periods

Schengen visas are short-term. They are issued for a short period of time, for example, for the period of validity of a tourist voucher. The maximum validity period of a permit is 90 days. You can stay in the country for as long as six months.

National visas allow you to stay on the territory of the state from 3 to 6 months. You do not need to leave the country to renew your document. By contacting the migration authorities, you can obtain permission to continue staying in the republic for another 1 year. Visa D allows you to obtain a residence permit in the future.

Contacts of embassies and visa centers of Portugal

The Portuguese Embassy is located in Moscow, but there are visa centers in the regions. Let me remind you once again that at the end of March the visa operator changed from VFS Global to BLS Internatiobal. Be careful and check information on other sites.

Embassy of Portugal in Moscow

Address of the Portuguese Embassy in Moscow: Botanichesky Lane, 1, index: 129010.

Opening hours of the visa department of the Embassy: from 9:00 to 13:00. More detailed information can be found on the Embassy website.

What to do if you are refused a visa to Portugal?

If you have been denied a visa, we assure you that it is not the end of the world. Everything can be corrected. First you need to find out the reason for the refusal. Usually the Consulate indicates the reason for the refusal and issues it along with the passport. The reasons may be different, such as an unissued insurance policy, insufficient amount on a bank certificate, doubts from the Consulate about your return home, etc. We will help you find out the exact reason for the refusal. We will help you fill out the documents correctly and correct the mistakes you made, and get a visa after Sweden has refused. We have received more than 90% of visas after refusal and know what to do and how to help you. After a refusal, you will have to collect documents for a visa again.