Visa-free travels for Portugal passport holders
As of April 2024, Portuguese passport holders can enter 172 countries visa-free, with all the EU states, the UK and Japan on the list. That is one of the reasons why investors from all over the world consider obtaining a passport of Portugal.
Learn more about visa-free destinations and paths to becoming a Portuguese passport holder.
Told about travel opportunities for the Portuguese
Which countries are visa-free for Portuguese citizens
The list of 172 visa-free countries for Portugal includes states allowing Portuguese passport holders entry without a visa.
The states that issue a visa on arrival or online are included in the list because to visit them, Portuguese citizens do not have to go to the consulate, queue, or make appointments, that is, handle all the visa hassles people want to avoid so much.
The difference between entry conditions is the following:
Visa-free entry allows passing the country’s border just on your passport without any additional entry permit. Portugal has visa waiver agreements with all European countries. Overall, the list of visa-free countries for a Portugal passport includes 117 states.
The eTA, or the Electronic Travel Authorization, is a visa type you apply for and receive online. The process can take a couple of minutes to 2—3 days, depending on the country. 27 countries issue an eTA for Portuguese citizens.
The visa on arrival is a type of visa one gets immediately after crossing the border of the host country — for example, at the airport or the checkpoint. 28 states grant such visas to the Portuguese.
The freedom of travel that a Portuguese passport provides is one of the reasons so many people are looking to obtain citizenship of Portugal.
Complete list of visa-free countries for citizens of Portugal
Entry requirements to popular travel destinations for citizens of Portugal
The EU and Schengen Area. As Portugal is a part of the Schengen agreement, its citizens and residents can travel visa-free to all the Schengen countries and stay there for a maximum of 90 days in total within every 6 months.
EU states that are not part of the Schengen Area, namely Bulgaria, Cyprus, Romania, and Ireland, also allow visa-free entry for citizens of Portugal. They can stay in each country for 90 days every 6 months.
Stays in non-Schengen countries are calculated individually. If one spends 90 days in Bulgaria, they can immediately travel to Romania and spend another 90 days there.
The UK. Portuguese citizens who visit the UK for tourism can stay there for up to 6 months without a visa. For that, they need only a passport valid for the whole duration of their stay in the country.
Portugal passport holders do not need to obtain visa for short-term visits of the UK
The United States. To visit the USA, Portuguese passport holders must apply for an eTA. The application takes around 20 minutes, and the document is ready within several minutes
The eTA allows only short visits for up to 90 days. The application fee is $21.
Canada. For Canada, an eTA is also required. The document is valid for 6 months. The application process is straightforward and won’t take more than half an hour. Another thirty minutes after submission takes the issuance of an eTA.
Those who enter Canada from the USA by land or sea do not need an eTA.
Australia. For short stays in Australia, EU citizens, including the Portuguese, need an eVisitor visa. It’s a type of visa to apply for online. An eVisitor entry permit is valid for one year and allows multiple entries to the country. Each stay should not exceed 90 days.
Singapore. To enter Singapore, citizens of Portugal need to apply for an SG Arrival Card, which can be obtained online. After that, staying in the country for 90 days is possible.
Hong Kong. For EU citizens, including the Portuguese, Hong Kong allows visa-free entry for short stays of up to 3 months.
Portugal. Portuguese citizens are not obliged to live in Portugal, but many choose to relocate or at least travel around the country. The country has something for anyone: ocean and surfing places, mountains and spectacular hiking trails, old castles and vibrant cities. On top of that, Portugal can brag about warm, sunny weather all year long.
Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of continental Europe, is just a 40-minute drive away from Lisbon
How to get a Portuguese passport
There are several ways to obtain a Portuguese passport. A marriage to a Portuguese citizen or employment by a local company can lead to citizenship by naturalisation. Other paths that allow foreigners to become Portuguese citizens in several years are the D7 Visa, the Digital Nomad Visa and the Golden Visa.
The D7 Visa, or the Passive Income Visa, is issued to financially independent foreigners. To obtain the visa, one should buy or rent residential property in Portugal and prove to have a passive income, which must exceed the minimum wage. In 2024, the minimum monthly salary is €820, meaning the D7 Visa applicant demonstrates an income of at least €9,840 a year.
After the D7 visa, its holder gets a two-year residence permit that can be extended for another 3 years. The residence permit gives the right to work in Portugal and travel across the Schengen Area visa-free. To maintain residency, one should spend 183 days a year in Portugal.
After five years of temporary residency, they can apply for permanent residence or citizenship.
The Digital Nomad Visa is granted to freelancers and remote workers on a permanent contract. To qualify, applicants must have arranged accommodation in Portugal, and their monthly income should be more than the country’s four minimum wages; the required amount is €3,040.
Candidates can apply for a temporary stay visa to reside in Portugal for up to a year or a residency visa that grants the right to apply for a 2-year residency. The residency visa can be extended, and after 5 years, one can apply for citizenship by naturalisation.
The Portugal Golden Visa allows wealthy foreigners to obtain a residence permit by investment of €250,000+ in the country’s economy. Investment options include:
purchasing investment fund units;
funding a company;
investing in the country’s culture or research.
The Golden Visa does not require its holder to reside in Portugal permanently. To maintain the status and qualify for citizenship in future, the investor has to spend at least 7 days a year in the country.
The residence permit is to be renewed every two years. After five years of holding residency, the investor can apply for citizenship.
Individual cost calculation of the residence permit in Portugal
How to obtain a Portugal Golden Visa with the prospect of citizenship
Usually, a Golden Visa is obtained within 8—10 months, irrespective of the chosen investment option.
1 day
Preliminary Due Diligence
Immigrant Invest Anti Money Laundering Officers check the applicant’s data to identify any risks of denial. In case such risks exist, we can offer an alternative solution.
Immigrant Invest Anti Money Laundering Officers check the applicant’s data to identify any risks of denial. In case such risks exist, we can offer an alternative solution.
Up to 2 weeks
Choosing the investment option
The applicant studies all the available investment options and their advantages and disadvantages. When the option is chosen, Immigrant Invest recommends funds and projects to choose from.
The applicant studies all the available investment options and their advantages and disadvantages. When the option is chosen, Immigrant Invest recommends funds and projects to choose from.
2—5 days
Travelling to Portugal
The investment has to be made from a Portuguese bank account. To open it, the applicant should visit the country, get an individual taxpayer number, and visit a Portuguese bank in person.
The investment has to be made from a Portuguese bank account. To open it, the applicant should visit the country, get an individual taxpayer number, and visit a Portuguese bank in person.
1—2 months
Fulfilment of the investment condition
The applicant transfers the investment amount to their account in the Portuguese bank. Then, the money goes to the chosen option: fund share purchase, setting up a company, or investment in business, culture, or research.
The applicant transfers the investment amount to their account in the Portuguese bank. Then, the money goes to the chosen option: fund share purchase, setting up a company, or investment in business, culture, or research.
Up to 2 months
Document preparation and submitting an application
The investor collects all the documents required to apply for residency. Immigrant Invest translates and notarises them as required.
Once ready, the pack of documents is sent to AIMA, the Immigration agency of Portugal, which reviews the application and makes a decision.
The investor collects all the documents required to apply for residency. Immigrant Invest translates and notarises them as required.
Once ready, the pack of documents is sent to AIMA, the Immigration agency of Portugal, which reviews the application and makes a decision.
2—3 days
Second trip to Portugal
The investor and their family included in the application visit Portugal to get fingerprinted and provide the original documents.
The investor and their family included in the application visit Portugal to get fingerprinted and provide the original documents.
4—6 months
Getting approval and residence cards
Applications are usually reviewed for about six months. When the application is approved, Portuguese authorities issue residence cards within two weeks. The investor can pick them up in person or through Immigrant Invest lawyers.
Applications are usually reviewed for about six months. When the application is approved, Portuguese authorities issue residence cards within two weeks. The investor can pick them up in person or through Immigrant Invest lawyers.
Visa-free countries for Portuguese Golden Visa holders
A golden visa holder doesn’t have the same travel opportunities as a citizen. While the list of visa-free countries narrows down, it still includes all the Schengen states, as well as Cyprus, and Romania. These are usually the most desired travel destinations.
In total, 28 countries are visa-free for Portuguese Golden Visa holders.
7 key benefits of the Portugal passport
1. Freedom of travel. The Portugal passport allows visa-free travel to 172 countries, including the USA, Canada, and Australia.
2. Business and work opportunities. Portuguese citizens can open a business in Portugal or any other European country. Additionally, being a citizen of Portugal, one can apply for a local or EU-based job without any work permits required.
3. Various paths to citizenship. Foreigners usually obtain Portugal citizenship by naturalisation, which requires getting a residence permit first. There are different paths for residency, including the D7 Passive Income Visa, the Digital Nomad Visa and the Golden Visa for investors. They all lead to a residence permit and citizenship in 5 years of living in Portugal.
4. Moving to Portugal or keeping the option of a “safe haven”. Investors with a Portuguese passport can settle down in Lisbon or any other city in Portugal no matter what is happening in their home country — a political crisis, a healthcare system breakdown, or a personal threat to family members.
Even when everything is fine in the investor’s current country of residence, Portugal is still a wonderful place to move to.
5. Opportunity to move to other EU countries. As Portugal is an EU member state, its citizens can live in any other EU country without a residence permit.
6. Access to European education. Portugal passport holders can study at local universities without tuition fees or choose to enrol at any other EU university. They enjoy other EU students' rights, pay lower tuition fees, and can apply for scholarships.
7. High quality of life. Portugal features affordable prices compared to other EU countries. At the same time, it provides a high quality of life and is ranked in the top 30 prosperous countries of the world.
Immigrant Invest is a licensed agent for citizenship and residence by investment programs in the EU, the Caribbean, Asia, and the Middle East. Take advantage of our global 15-year expertise — schedule a meeting with our investment programs experts.
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