How to get a Schengen visa to Portugal: three simple ways

Introduction

This article will cover the three different methods of obtaining a Schengen visa to travel to Portugal, and we will discuss the required documents and costs involved in the process. The Portuguese Schengen visa is issued in accordance with the general rules applicable to all Schengen countries. It is a short-term C category visa limited to 90 days in a six-month period.

This is important to consider: with a Portuguese visa, a traveler must first visit Portugal before traveling to other countries in the Schengen zone of 26 European countries.

Ways of obtaining a Schengen visa

There are three main ways to get a Schengen visa to travel to Portugal:

• Visa Centers;
• Travel companies;
• In-person filing.

You can apply for a visa six months before your trip, but no later than 15 days before your planned departure. Usually the process of applying for a tourist visa to Portugal takes three to five working days.

Visa processing through visa centers

Now more about obtaining a visa through visa centers. Visa processing is possible in the BLS International center, which is accredited by the Portuguese Embassy in Russia. To submit documents, a preliminary appointment is required, which can be made online or by phone.

The visa center offers a variety of services including:

• Counselingvisa application and preparation for the interview, if required.
• Checkingof submitted documents for compliance with the established requirements.
• Collection of biometric data: photography and fingerprinting. Please note that biometric data is provided every five years, and it is not mandatory for children under 12 years of age.
• Preparation of the final package of documentsfor submission to the Portuguese consulate and tracking the status of the review.
• Registration of compulsory health insuranceto apply for a Schengen visa.
• Appointment for consultationto the embassy if necessary.
• Hotel Reservationsat the customer's request.

Visa application through travel agencies

Another way is to obtain a visa through a travel agency. In this case, specialists will help to check the collected set of documents, which significantly reduces the likelihood of rejection or the need for a second interview at the consulate due to their professional training.

Self-issuance of visa

For more experienced travelers who are fluent in English and have already had Schengen visas, applying for a visa on their own may be the best solution. It is important to be careful, following all the necessary steps to minimize the risks of rejection.

It is imperative that you gather a complete set of documents and keep up to date with current changes in visa laws and requirements.

Conclusion

As a result, the proposed approaches to obtaining a Schengen visa to Portugal make the process of preparing for travel more convenient. Regardless of whether you decide to apply to a visa center, use the services of a travel agency or submit the documents yourself - every traveler will be able to choose the most suitable option for themselves.

In order to apply for a visa to Portugal, you need to follow a certain sequence of actions. First of all, you should register a personal account on the official website of the Portuguese Consulate. After that you will need to fill in the visa application form and upload a 35x45 mm photo. In addition, you will need to attach a receipt of the consular fee payment, which should also be attached to your application.

After authorization in the personal account, the system will automatically generate a list of documents that will be required for visa processing. All required documents can be submitted in electronic format, however, it is necessary to have an electronic signature. It is important to remember that all documents must be uploaded within thirty days after registration.

If you successfully pass the initial document check, you will be called for an interview at the consulate. Be sure to bring both originals and copies of all required documents. Mobile devices such as phones, tablets and metal objects should be left in a special box during the entire appointment. It is recommended that you arrive at the interview 15-20 minutes before the scheduled time, as lateness may negatively affect the outcome.

Waiting and filing process

If you decide to submit your documents yourself to the consular section, please be aware that it may take two to three weeks to wait for your turn. Even if you have submitted all documents electronically, your presence will be required to submit biometric data.

List of documents for obtaining a visa to Portugal

As for the list of documents for obtaining a visa to Portugal, it includes the following items:

• Schengen visa application formwhich must be completed in English via the consulate's website.
• Consular fee payment receiptwhich must be generated and printed before submitting the application form for review.
• Two 35x45 mm photographsThe photo should be taken against a light-colored background, with no makeup and a neutral expression.
• Internal passportand copies of all the marked pages.
• Foreign passportmust be valid for more than three months after the end of the visa and have at least two blank pages; a copy of the photo page is also required.
• Old passportIf you have one, with copies of your photo page and Schengen visas obtained in the last three years.
• Certificate of employmentIt should state your position and salary.
• Bank statementwith a balance of at least 580 euros. This amount is calculated on the basis of 75 euros for the first day of stay and 50 euros for each subsequent day for an adult tourist. These calculations do not include the cost of accommodation and visa.
• Medical insurancewith coverage of at least 30 thousand euros, which must be valid for the entire period of validity of the visa and another 14 days after its completion.
• Airline reservationsround trip.
• Hotel Reservationsor a rental agreement in Portugal.
• Invitation from a resident of Portugalif any.

By following all of the above tips, you will make the visa process much easier and will be able to focus on your upcoming trip.

If you intend to visit Portugal with a visa, especially to meet loved ones, study or look for work, you will need a special invitation from the host country. This can come from either a private person or a legal entity. It is also important to note that you will need consent to process your personal data. Do not forget about the receipt for payment of the service fee, if the visa is issued through a special visa center. This set of documents is the main one and must be submitted to the consulate to obtain a visa to Portugal. In addition, you will need to provide biometric data.

Additional documents for visa

Based on the purpose of your visit, additional documents may be required. For tourists, the general package remains unchanged, which makes this method of obtaining a visa the easiest and most convenient.

New apartment offerings are booming in Portugal, creating excellent opportunities for investors to increase their income. In particular, in the neighborhood of São Pedro do Sul there are only five modern apartments, the price of which starts from 280,000 euros. These apartments offer a solid yield of 4%. Such offers become particularly attractive because the buildings were erected in 2021. However, this is not the only neighborhood where you can invest.

Investment opportunities in Belém and Cascais

Belém, which is located in Lisbon, offers 22 chic apartments starting from a price point of 1,100,000 euros. These unique apartments are equipped with terraces and have access to a swimming pool with stunning river views. Another interesting project boasts Cascais, where there are 57 apartments with prices starting from 1,200,000 euros. This is a modern residential complex with all the necessary amenities and luxurious swimming pools.

Apartments in Lisbon

Lisbon also pleases with new offers - 15 modern apartments, the price of which starts from 500 000 euros. All apartments are fully equipped and located in the heart of the Portuguese capital. In the Oeiras area you can find 17 apartments with prices starting from 481,000 euros, which offer mesmerizing views of the ocean and the river. The complex was built in 2022, which adds an extra attraction for buyers.

Luxury accommodation in Lisbon

Those who are considering applying for a visa to move to Portugal need to prepare in advance an invitation from a resident of this country. If the inviting party is an individual, you need to provide his passport details. For legal entities, a package of relevant documents will be required.

Requirements for pensioners and clients with families

Pensioners wishing to relocate must show proof of sufficient funds in a bank account or provide a letter of sponsorship from close relatives. If you have relatives already residing in Portugal, you may be eligible for a visitor visa or a long-term family reunification visa.

Requirements for minor children

For minor children, a birth certificate and notarized travel consent of one of the parents will be required. Parents fill in the visa application form for the child and sign it.

Student visa

Students enrolled in Portuguese educational institutions can apply for a long-term visa, while participants in language programs must obtain short-term visas. The basic documents required to obtain a visa include:

• Invitation from an educational institution
• Confirmation of successful completion of examinations
• Bills for tuition and accommodation

Parents of minors must also provide a letter of sponsorship indicating funds for living expenses of not less than47 euros a dayIn addition to documents from the place of employment confirming the level of income and bank statements.

Conclusion

In conclusion, obtaining a Schengen visa for Portugal may seem like a daunting task, but with the right information and preparation it is doable. I have looked at the three main ways to apply for a visa: through a visa center, through a travel agency, and by applying on your own. Each of these methods has its advantages and disadvantages, which are important to consider when choosing the most suitable option for yourself.

It is important to remember that a Schengen visa allows you not only to visit Portugal, but also to travel to other European Union countries, which opens up a lot of horizons for traveling. Obviously, before starting the visa application process, it is necessary to collect all the necessary documents and make sure that they meet the requirements in order to minimize the risk of rejection.

Tips for applying

• Applying for a visa has its own deadlines and I advise you not to leave it to the last minute.
• It is optimal to start the process at least 2-3 months before the planned trip.
• Also, by immediately checking information about a visa center or travel agency, you can make your life a lot easier.

Don't forget the importance of counseling, document verification, and taking out all the necessary insurance.

Self-application

As for self-submission, it is already suitable for more experienced travelers who are confident in their abilities and know what to expect. It helps to save money, but requires more time and effort.

I hope that this article will help you to apply for a Schengen visa to Portugal without any hassle and successfully embark on your long-awaited trip. Let your doors to Europe open easily and without obstacles!