Do South Africans Need A Visa For Portugal? The answer to this question is often times not a yes or no. There are many conditions that must be met before deciding if one needs a visa or not. This article will cover the basics of what you need to do when travelling from South Africa to Portugal. Before you even think about applying for a visa, it is important to know what type of traveler you are.

One of our main responsibilities as travel agents is to properly advise or direct clients on their destination and destination related matters. The question: Do South African’s need a visa for travelling to Portugal, is one of the those topics we often get asked about, whether it be by email, chat, social media or in person.

Do South Africans Need A Visa For Portugal

The Schengen Visa is a short stay visa issued to South African citizens who wish to travel to Portugal. The members of the Schengen Zone have removed all internal borders between the countries and allow free movement of the population among the area. Following this, visitors who wish to move freely in more than one country require a Schengen Visa.

Portugal Visa Application and Entry Requirements

Portugal, the westernmost sovereign state in Europe, is also one of the oldest states in the old continent. It has a population of 10,291,027 and an area of 92,212 km2.

The Portuguese Republic is a developed country with a high-income advanced economy and high living standards. The country has a mesmerizing architecture marked by its history of invasions.

Portugal is a member of the United Nations, the European Union, NATO, as well as the Schengen Zone. It joined the latter in 1995, thus abolishing its borders with the rest of the member states.

Since then, travellers can apply for a Portuguese Schengen Visa. They can also enter the territory of Portugal and the whole Schengen holding a short-stay visa to Portugal.

Fun fact: The oldest bookshop in the world is in Portugal!

Portugal Entry Restrictions in Response to Coronavirus

Amid the Coronavirus outbreak, Italy and the rest of the EU/Schengen Area members imposed an EU-wide entry ban on third-country nationals in mid-March 2020, on the recommendation of the EU Commission. In addition, entry restrictions to Italy are frequently changing based on the COVID-19 situation in other countries.

Read “A Complete Guide to Travelling to Portugal Amid COVID-19” to get the latest updates regarding Portugal travel & entry restrictions and other measures imposed by Italian authorities.Portugal Entry Requirements

The documents you have to present at the Portuguese port of entry depend on your nationality. If you are an EEA national, you will only need an identification document, to enter Portugal.

At the same time, if you are a non-EEA traveller wishing to visit Portugal you will need to present the following when you show up at the Portuguese port of entry:

• A valid passport or travel document. Valid for at least three more months beyond your planned date of exit from Schengen, and issued within the last 10 years.
• A visa – if you are subject to the Portuguese visa regime.

*British passport holders are exempt from the criteria of passport validity and issuance date.

Aside from these documents, the Portuguese border officer may ask you a few questions about your trip to Portugal like:

• What is your purpose of visiting Portugal?
• How long do you intend to stay in Portugal?
• Where are you going to stay in Portugal? Etc.

You may be asked for documents to support your answers, such as an invitation letter by a Portuguese host, proof of lodging or a round-trip ticket. For more information in this regard, contact the local consular services of Portuguese in your home country.

Keep in mind that the border police holds the final decision if you shall be permitted to enter Portugal or not. If the Portuguese border officer concludes that you are no risk for Portugal, upon checking your documents, you will be permitted to enter Portugal, and thus the Schengen territory.

Please, make sure that the Portuguese border officer stamps your passport when you enter Portugal. Without a stamp, you could be fined or detained from Portugal.