Portugal Schengen Visa

Portugal, a western European country (as well as a part of the Schengen region), is renowned for its beautiful beaches, football, and historic sites. Some of the tourist-favourite spots of Portugal include the subtropical island Madeira, the small fishing village Ericeira, Porto (its second largest city), Obdios, the home of medieval castles, and more. 

Whether you plan to visit Portugal for a tour, work, education, or any other reason, you would need to be aware of the requirements related to Schengen visa as well as Schengen visa travel insurance plans from the UAE.

This article will provide you some key insights into the Portugal Schengen visa and everything related to it such as the procedure to obtain a visa, required documents, types of visas, Schengen visa travel insurance, and more.

Do You Need Portugal Schengen Visa?

UAE nationals can travel to Portugal or any other Schengen country without a Schengen visa for short stays of up to 90 days. Nevertheless, if the duration of stay is expected to extend beyond 90 days, even Emiratis would be required to apply for a Schengen visa.

Individuals belonging to the following categories would be required to apply for a Portugal Schengen visa in UAE to visit the country -

• UAE passport holders who have previously been refused visa-free entry into the Schengen region
• UAE passport holders who plan to stay in the country for more than 90 days
• Residents of the UAE with a temporary or permanent residence permit who are:
  • Citizens of a country that has a visa-free entry arrangement tie-up with Schengen countries but have been denied visa-free entry previously
  • Nationals of a country that does not have an arrangement for visa-free entry with the Schengen nations

Requirements to Apply for the Schengen Visa

To apply for a Portugal Schengen visa, the following documents would be required –

• Duly filled and signed visa application 
• Valid passport that fulfils the following – 
  • Minimum two blank pages
  • Not older than 10 years old
  • Previous passport, if applicable
  • Validity of at least 3 months beyond your travel dates to the Schengen region
• Two passport-size photographs that adhere to these guidelines – 
  • Size of the photo should be 3.5 cm x 4.5 cm
  • The photo should have been clicked  within the last 6 months of your visa application date
  • The photo must be clicked with a plain white background
  • Facial features must be clearly visible in the photo
• Copy of passport page displaying personal information and residence permit
• Documents related to travel insurance –
  • The travel insurance should be valid throughout the Schengen region
  • Minimum medical coverage of EUR 30,000 must be available with this plan
  • The insurance plan should be valid throughout the entire visa length
• Round-trip flight tickets for the Schengen region mentioning the date of arrival and departure
• Travel itinerary for the time you spend in Portugal 
• Proof of accommodation such as hotel reservations and more – the location of the accommodation place, contact number, and booking reference number must be clearly stated in the document
• Proof of availability of adequate funds for the travel – this can include three months' personal bank statements, detailed information of assets and other private properties in the UAE, and more
• Statement of purpose mentioning details related to the applicant, contact information, nature of employment, purpose of the trip, sponsor, and more. For individuals having their own business, a copy of a valid trade licence may be required. 

Additional Visa Requirements for Minors Travellers

If you are travelling with a minor or helping a minor in travelling to Poland, you would need to submit the additional documents. Moreover, minors must be accompanied by a guardian or parent when they apply at the Polish embassy or consulate in the UAE.

The following are the documents required to get a Portugal Schengen visa in this case -

• Birth certificate of the minor
• Application form completed and signed by both parents
• Family court order if the minor is in the custody of a sole parent
• Passport and valid copies of ID cards of both parents
• In case the minor is travelling with another person, these documents would need to be kept handy – 
  • An original copy of the passport of the person accompanying the minor – it should contain details like the holder's name, address, visa expiry date, visa copy, and the latest photograph
  • Parents or guardians’ notarized permission to travel to Portugal

How to Apply for Schengen Visa while Travelling to Portugal?

Individuals living in the UAE can apply for a Portugal Schengen visa by following these simple steps –

• Locate the embassy, consulate, or authorised visa application centre (VAC) associated with the Schengen country you are travelling to. For Portugal, the agency VFS Global handles visa-related processes in the UAE.
• Fill out the visa application form after obtaining it from the website of the embassy or the VAC and gather all the required documents
• Schedule an interview and pay the visa application fee
• Visit the authorised centre for the interview and present the application form, documents, and more 
• Wait for a callback while your application gets processed
• Upon approval of your application, you can collect your visa on the specified date and time

The two major visa application centres for applying for a Portugal Schengen visa are located in Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the UAE. The Dubai centres accept applications from the residents of Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, Umm Al-Quwain, and Ras Al Khaimah. In Abu Dhabi, on the other hand, visa applications of the residents of Abu Dhabi and Al Ain are accepted.

The location and contact details of the centres are given below –

• Abu Dhabi:  Level 25, Shining Tower, Mubarak Bin Mohammed Street, 26th Street, Near Khalidyah Mall 
• Dubai: Joint Visa Application Centre, Waafi Mall, Level 2, Falcon, Phase 2, Umm Hurair
• Contact No.: 971 4 2055888

Do I Need Travel Insurance for Portugal Schengen Visa?

For anyone requiring a Schengen visa to travel to Portugal, be it a UAE national for more than 90 days or a UAE resident from another country, Schengen travel insurance would be mandatory. Additionally, this Schengen travel insurance plan should meet the Schengen-specific guidelines, such as minimum medical coverage of EUR 30,000 and validity throughout the Schengen area.

With travel insurance, travellers can have an excellent financial backup against adversities that they may face during the trip. Travel insurance plans provide coverage for lost or stolen luggage, treatment of medical illness, delayed or missed flights, trip cancellation or curtailment, loss of personal belongings, and more.

Getting a Schengen travel insurance plan, thus, not only fulfils the basic Schengen visa eligibility requirements but also protects you from financial costs arising from unexpected events. Obtaining travel insurance for Schengen countries ensures that you are covered for everything that can go wrong as long as it is included in the policy.

Types of Schengen Travel Insurance

Based on your Schengen visa, the purpose of the visit, duration, and more, Schengen travel insurance plans can be further divided into the following categories – 

As per the Trip Frequency and Duration 

• Single Trip Travel Insurance: Single trip insurance is designed to cover a single trip of the policyholder in its entirety. This plan comes into action when the traveller leaves the UAE and expires once the person returns. The validity of most single-trip travel insurance plans is for 90 to 180 days, although the actual validity will depend on your chosen insurance provider and plan.
• Multi-Trip Travel Insurance:  Annual multi-trip travel insurance, as one may expect, covers all the trips taken by the policyholder to the Schengen region within one year following the policy issuance date. Remember that in the tenure of your annual multi-trip insurance plan, the maximum number of vacation days for each insured trip may be limited.

Unlike single trip travel insurance plans, multi-trip travel insurance policies can be renewed.

As per the Number and Type of Travellers

• Individual Travel Insurance: An individual travel insurance plan covers a single traveller. However, the categorisation discussed earlier also applies to these plans. So as per the duration and frequency of your trip, you can choose a single–trip or annual multi-trip plan as an individual travel insurance plan. These travel insurance plans cover a range of scenarios including dental and medical emergencies, flight cancellation, lost or misplaced luggage, loss of passport and personal accessories, medical emergencies, and so on.
• Family Travel Insurance: Family travel insurance plans cover all the members of the family on a trip. The coverage provided by family travel insurance plans is somewhat similar to individual travel insurance plans. Keep in mind that limits regarding the minimum and the maximum age of a family member to be covered under the plan exist.
• Senior Travel Insurance: Senior citizen travel insurance plans can cover UAE citizens older than 60-65 years of age travelling to Portugal. These plans are designed considering the needs and requirements of senior citizens, covering specific health-related and other problems associated with old age.

These plans are different from the standard travel insurance plans, which usually cover adults till the age of 60-65. 

As per the Purpose of the Visit

The purpose of your travel to Portugal – work, business, study, or leisure – will require a relevant travel insurance plan as well. Based on your intent of travel, Portugal Schengen visa travel insurance policies can be classified in the following manner – 

• Student Travel Insurance: Student travel insurance plans are designed for students travelling on a student Schengen visa for internships, training, or higher studies to Portugal or the Schengen region. The coverage provided by these plans is tailored for students going to universities or schools for professional and academic courses. Student travel insurance plans offer nearly all types of coverage as found in standard travel insurance plans like travel delays, medical emergencies, missed flights, evacuation/repatriation to UAE, loss of personal belongings/travel documents, and so on.
• Medical Travel Insurance: Medical travel insurance plans are meant for individuals who are travelling specifically to receive medical treatment in the designated country. These plans can provide coverage against the loss or theft of documents, personal baggage, and more.
• Group Travel Insurance: Group travel insurance policy is a type of travel insurance that covers a group of people who are not part of a family but travelling to Portugal from the UAE in a group. They could be members of an association participating in any event, activity, business venture, and so on.
• Business Travel Insurance:  Business travel insurance, covering the employees of a company, is purchased by the latter to cover the former travelling to the Schengen region for business-related work. One of the unique features of business travel insurance is that these policies offer coverage for digital gadgets including phones, tablets, laptops, and more. 

Benefits of Schengen Travel Insurance

Numerous features and benefits can be availed of by getting a travel insurance plan for your visit to Portugal –

• Cover Against Trip Cancellation: One of the major advantages of Schengen travel insurance is that you are protected against trip curtailment or cancellation. Several scenarios can lead to your travel being cut short such as an injury or illness, accident, weather-related problems, traffic accidents, and more. Schengen travel insurance plans, in such instances, can compensate you for the non-refundable amount of bookings related to flights, accommodation, planned activities, and more.
• Financial Cover for Medical Costs: Schengen travel insurance plans can cover the costs of medical treatments you may require if you fall ill or get involved in an accident during the trip. Your travel insurance policy can reimburse the medical expenses related to emergency surgeries, diagnostic tests, and other medical aid.
• Coverage Against Delay/Loss of Luggage: Your travel plan can compensate you if your check-in baggage is delayed or lost during your journey. Coverage is also offered if you lose your luggage during the trip. 
• COVID-19 Cover: Most Schengen travel insurance plans cover all the expenses related to COVID-19 in case the policyholder tests positive for the disease. The plan here can cover RT-PCR tests, quarantine arrangement, medical treatment for the disease, and more.
• Loss of Personal Belongings Cover:  Availing yourself of travel insurance can help you stay covered against loss or theft of wallets or personal documents such as personal ID, passport, and more. With the reimbursement provided by the insurer, the policyholder can obtain the lost/stolen documents’ copies or arrange necessary replacements.
• Personal Liability Cover: Personal liability cover can protect you from the expenses caused arising from your actions that have caused damages or injuries to the third party. So if you (unintentionally) cause damage to a third person, personal liability cover can provide coverage for the legal fees, third-party compensation, and more.

Processing Time for the Portugal Schengen Visa

Once you submit your Portugal visa application, it would generally take the visa authorities at least 15 days to process it. However, the entire process may take up to 30 or 45 days in some cases. This can happen if there is a backlog of many visa applications in the process.

When Should You Apply for Portugal Schengen Visa?

Once all your travel bookings are finalised, you can start your visa application process. The earliest when you can apply for a Schengen visa is 6 months before your journey, while the latest is 15 days before it. 

As we saw earlier, it may take even up to 30-45 days for the processing of your Schengen visa application. Furthermore, you may need to provide additional documents if there are any errors in your visa application, which can take a few days more. Thus, it is advisable to apply for Portugal Schengen visa at least 1 month before your departure date.

Portugal Schengen Visa Fees

The following table depicts the application fee for a Portugal Schengen visa as per the applicant category –

It must be noted that visa fees for Schengen countries should be paid in euros or the currency of the country where you live, i.e. UAE dirhams. If you are paying in your local currency (other than the euro), you may be required to bear the charges due to the exchange rate for the Euro as set by the European Central bank. 

Additional Costs for Portugal Schengen Visa

• An applicant must pay service fees for visa processing to a visa service provider or to another channel you are applying from
• In addition to the visa processing fee, visa service centres may charge an additional amount
  • The service fee of obtaining a Schengen visa cannot exceed half of the visa fee, i.e. 40 Euros

How Long is Your Portugal Schengen Visa Valid?

As mentioned earlier, UAE nationals don’t require a Portugal Schengen visa for a stay of up to 90 days. However, in case you need a Portugal Schengen visa, whether due to your nationality or duration of your stay, you can apply for any of the following types of Schengen visas – 

Type C Schengen Visa

Type C Schengen visa is a type of visa issued to applicants willing to stay in Portugal for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. These visas can have a validity of up to 5 years, although the actual validity will be based on the intention of the visit and the duration of the stay.  

These visas can be further divided into single-entry, double-entry, and multiple-entry visas. Of these, multiple-entry visas can have a maximum validity of 5 years and allow multiple entries in the region. However, each stay would have to adhere to the earlier rule, i.e., a stay of only up to 90 days in a 180-day period.

You can obtain a Type C Schengen visa for the following purposes –

• Medical treatments
• Professional reasons like conducting business
• Participating in cultural events or for cultural purposes
• Pursuing your education or participating in scholastic programmes
• Participation in athletic events
• Official purposes

Type D Schengen Visa

Also referred to as the ‘national visa’, a Type D visa can be obtained by students or individuals who would be required to stay in Portugal and/or the Schengen region for more than 90 days in a 180-day period. These visas can be valid for up to 1 year.

Limited Territorial Visa (LTV)

Unlike general Schengen visas, Limited Territorial Visas are valid only for the specified Schengen countries listed on the visa, and not all Schengen countries. This visa is available in special cases, such as on humanitarian grounds. 

Key Takeaways

To ensure quick and hassle-free processing of your Portugal Schengen visa application, you must follow the correct procedure per your visa requirement and gather all the relevant documents. Moreover, as travel insurance is mandatory for getting a Schengen visa, make sure that you get one on time and get the best one for your journey. 

With Policybazaar UAE, you can easily buy an ideal travel insurance policy for your trip after comparing all the available options. Simply head to the official website of Policybazaar UAE, i.e., policybazaar.ae, and navigate to the ‘travel insurance’ section. Fill out the lead form, which will take you to our travel insurance quotes page.

Different plans would be available on this page – compare them and pick the most appropriate one. If you are stuck anywhere in the process, our in-house insurance expert team can always guide you and help you resolve your queries.

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