People go to Portugal for its mild climate, ocean, relaxed pace of life, and beautiful nature. In Porto, you can stroll through historical quarters, and in Algarve, relax on beaches and gaze at the ocean. But before booking tickets to Lisbon, you'll need to obtain a tourist visa. Here's how to do it. 

What visa do you need for Portugal

For a trip to Portugal, Russians typically need a Schengen visa if it's a short-term visit of up to 90 days. Most often, a Category C visa is issued for tourism, visiting friends or relatives, business trips, and transit. Processing times are quite long, averaging 8-12 weeks, so you need to plan your trip well in advance, especially if you want to catch the summer season or are already making plans for New Year and winter holidays. 

What types of visas are available for Portugal

The main types of visas depend on the purpose of the trip. The most common options are tourist, guest, business, transit, student, and work visas. 

• Short-stay Schengen visa C – also suitable for tourists. Allows a stay of 90 days within a 180-day period. An optimal option for a vacation.

• National visa type D – needed for long-term stays, from 91 days. It is issued for study, work, or medical treatment.

• Special D7 visa (Passive Income Visa) – an option for those considering moving to Portugal. There is a special condition here – confirmed passive income of 870 euros per month or more. 

What documents are needed for a Type C visa to Portugal

The most important thing is a correctly assembled package of documents. Without it, “the trick won't work.” What it should contain:

• international passport: original + copies of all, even blank pages. It must be valid for another 3 months after the end of the trip. A minimum of 2 pages must be blank (for the visa itself);

• internal passport with copies of all filled pages;

• completed application form: filled out in Latin characters, English, or Portuguese. Enter information carefully; any error will lead to re-submission;

• medical insurance: for the entire period of the trip, coverage of 30,000 euros, valid in the “Schengen” area or “Worldwide”;

• photographs: 2 pcs., 35x45 mm, color, on a white background, taken no more than 6 months ago. The face must be strictly centered and occupy 70 to 80% of the total frame area. No smiling, remove glasses and headwear;

• copy of marriage certificate: if applicable;

• flight tickets: paid round-trip or a valid booking. If it is canceled at the time of submitting the visa application package, such an option will not be accepted;

• proof of purpose of travel: detailed travel plan, explanation of purpose, hotel bookings for each night, itinerary;

• financial guarantees: the most complex point. This will require a certificate from work on company letterhead, indicating your position, salary, length of service, and confirmation of leave. Next – a bank statement showing transactions for the last 3 months. The amount in the account – 75 euros for the first day and 50 for each subsequent day. All calculated per person;

• fingerprinting: if you have not previously applied for documents for travel to Europe or if more than 5 years have passed since this operation;

• receipt for visa fee payment;

• consent to personal data processing.

For all documents in Russian, a translation into English or Portuguese will be required – for the work certificate, bank statement, pension fund certificate, birth certificate, consent to travel (if the visa is issued for a child). For ordinary certificates, a standard translation with a bureau seal will suffice; for consent, a notarized one. 

What documents are needed for minors

A child always needs a separate set of documents, even if traveling with parents. Typically, the child's international passport, birth certificate, photographs, application form, certificate from an educational institution, and documents confirming travel and accommodation are required. If a minor travels with one parent, with a third party, or independently, notarized consent from the parents or legal guardian is required; when accompanied by a third party, consent is usually required from both parents.

How to apply for a visa to Portugal

Collected the entire package? Great, now let's move on to the next stage of the quest. You can submit documents through the visa center BLS International. 

To do this, you need to register on the website, fill out an application, and choose a day and time for document submission. This is the most challenging part, as appointment slots appear at the beginning of the month and need to be “caught.” Another option is a paid service for submitting documents without an appointment. Then, you upload a photo to the application, indicate travel dates, and information about previous Schengen visas, if you had any. 

Once your appointment is confirmed, you will receive an email – you need to print it and bring it with you to the appointment. After submitting documents at the visa center, the application status can be tracked online. You can collect your passport in person or via courier delivery. 

Tips for submitting documents

• choose a visa for Portugal if you intend to visit it specifically.

• use the visa checker on the kupi.com website when searching for tickets.

• there are no direct flights from Russia to Portugal. You will have to plan your route with a layover in Istanbul (the most common option). Plan it so that, in case of possible delays, the trip fits within the visa's validity period.