ETIAS for Portugal

Passport holders from visa-exempt nations will soon be required to register for ETIAS before travelling to Portugal.

The European Travel Information and Authorisation System is being launched in 2026 with the aim of boosting security across all Schengen Area countries, including Portugal.

ETIAS will complement the EU’s visa liberalisation policy, maintaining visa-free access to Portugal for citizens of several nationalities whilst at the same time making Europe safer for residents and other visitors.

To obtain an ETIAS for Portugal, eligible travellers will complete a short online application form with basic personal information and passport details.

Portugal has been an EU member state since January 1986, joining the union at the same time as neighboring Spain. Portugal is ranked 46th in the world in terms of GDP.

76% of Portugal’s exports go to other EU countries, in particular to Spain, France, and Germany. Wholesale and retail trades are the most important sectors of the economy.

Currently, there are 21 members of the European Parliament from Portugal. Portuguese politician, José Manuel Barroso, was President of the European Commission for almost 10 years, from 2004 to 2014.

Portugal is also part of the Schengen Area. It signed the agreement on 25th June 1991, eliminating borders by 1995.

The country has therefore been involved in the development of ETIAS in recent years. Europe’s visa waiver has been evolving since 2016 and will be operational from 2026 .

A record 27 million people visited Portugal in 2019, up 7.3% on the previous year according to data from the National Statistics Institute.

Tourists head to Portugal to enjoy its beaches, interesting cities, and historical and religious landmarks. The most popular destinations for international visitors are the capital, Lisbon, followed by the Algarve on the south coast.

Another reason for Portugal’s popularity amongst visitors from outside the European Union is the visa-liberalisation policy which allows third-country nationals to stay for up to 90 days visa-free.

Eligible passport holders will soon be required to apply for ETIAS, the European visa waiver, to legally gain access to Portugal or any of the other European Schengen Area countries without a visa. ETIAS will also be needed to visit Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, and Romania which are in the process of joining the Schengen Area.

ETIAS is also valid for business travellers. This is convenient given that Portugal is a popular setting for congresses, conferences, and meetings, ranking 13th in the world in the 2018 report carried out by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA).

IS MEDICAL INSURANCE NEEDED FOR PORTUGAL?

Citizens of other EU member states should carry their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) when visiting Portugal. With this card, the holder gets access to Portuguese healthcare.

Whether or not a non-EU citizen requires health insurance to visit Portugal depends on the nationality and type of authorisation requested.

MEDICAL INSURANCE FOR ETIAS PORTUGAL

ETIAS will soon be needed to visit Portugal from one of the EU member states which do not require a visa for Europe.

Whilst it is not one of the ETIAS requirements, foreigners are recommended to take out health cover for greater peace of mind when visiting Portugal.

HEALTH INSURANCE FOR SCHENGEN VISA FOR PORTUGAL

Those who do not qualify for ETIAS should instead apply for a Schengen visa.

Travellers must be able to provide proof that they have taken out health insurance valid for the entire Schengen Area and with minimum coverage of €30,000.

WHAT TO EXPECT AT PORTUGAL BORDER CONTROL

Thanks to free movement in the Schengen travel zone, passport holders from other EU countries will not face border checks when entering the Republic of Portugal. They should simply carry their ID with them when crossing into Portuguese territory.

Foreigners from a number of non-EU nations are able to stay in Portugal for up to 90 days without applying for a visa. Currently, only a valid passport is necessary to take advantage of the visa liberalization policy but, following the launch of ETIAS in 2026 , a visa waiver for Europe will become mandatory.

Those from outside of Europe who are not from an ETIAS-eligible country must instead obtain a visa for Portugal. The following documentation must be presented to get a Schengen visa:

People arriving in Portugal from overseas should be prepared to answer questions about the purpose of their stay on arrival.

ARRIVING IN PORTUGAL BY PLANE, CAR AND TRAIN

Most overseas visitors choose to fly to Portugal. Humberto Delgado Airport (IATA: LIS, ICAO: LPPT), commonly known as Lisbon Airport, is the main international aviation hub, handling around 20 million passengers annually.

Lisbon Airport is conveniently situated approximately 6 km (3.7 mi) from the city center and can be reached by taxi or public transport.

There are high-speed trains from Spain to Portugal. The service departs from Madrid and stops in Spanish cities including Salamanca and Fuentes de Oñoro before crossing the frontier.

The train stops in the several Portugues cities before reaching its final destination, Lisbon Santa Apoloñia. The journey from Spain to Portugal by train takes 9 hours and 5 minutes.

Driving over the land border shared by Portugal and Spain is another option and, as there are no checkpoints, it is easy to do.

Portugal attracts people from all walks of life thanks to the huge range of tourist attractions including traditional beach vacations, city breaks, winemaking holidays, and also more niche trips such as health, nature, and rural tourism.

The main tourist hotspots in Portugal include the capital city of Lisbon and the next largest city, Porto as well as the beach resorts in the Algarve, Madeira, and the Azores islands. Although there are other regions growing in popularity such as the Douro Valley and the Alentejo island.

Portugal has a rich history, being one of the key players in the European Age of Discovery and Exploration. Visitors can learn about the many explorers who left Portuguese coasts in search of trade routes and new lands centuries ago.

Travellers in Portugal will also experience stunning scenery and beautiful countryside in and around cities of interest such as Coimbra and Sintra.

Portugal’s cuisine includes exquisite seafood and pastéis de Belém, a sweet egg custard tart. Port, the Portuguese fortified wine, is produced in the Douro Valley and is the drink of choice throughout the country.