Portugal Visa Requirements for South Africans – Schengen
So you’re plotting a trip to the land of sun, sea, delicious local wines and seafood? Here’s what you’ll need to know, as a South African about applying for a Schengen visa for Portugal.
Where to apply:
You should apply in person unless you live 250km or more from the closest visa issuing office:
Cape Town:
Use a visa agency or apply in person at: Suite 1005, Main Tower Standard Bank Centre, 10th floor Hertzog Boulevard Cape Town
Call: (021) 418 0080/1
Email: mail@cgctw.dgaccp.pt
Durban:
You can’t apply at the Durban consulate. Use a visa agency or apply through the Johannesburg office.
Joburg:
Apply through a visa agency or in person at:
1st Floor, Portuguese House, 11 Ernst Oppenheimer Avenue, Bruma
Pretoria:
Apply through a visa agency or in person at:
Groenkloof Forum Office Park, Suite 03 (Ground Floor), 57 George Storrar Drive, Groenkloof, 0181
When to apply:
No more than 3 months prior to departure of your trip, no less than 5 full working days, longer is highly recommended.
Visa Requirements:
Requirements for the Portugese Visa are the same as with any other Schengen visa, you will need:
- South African Passport, valid for 6 months beyond date of return with at least 3 blank pages.
- One recent passport photograph (specify to photographer that it meet the Schengen Visa Requirements)
- Completed original application form
- Return flight tickets from South Africa to Portugal
- Proof of pre-paid accommodation (hotel or backpackers) – if you’re staying with friends or family there, an original letter of invitation from a resident stamped by police or relevant local authority and certified copy of passport or Portuguese ID required. A proof of residence may also be requested.
- Proof of sufficient funds (usually in the region of €40-€50 per person per day if accommodation is pre-paid), this should be evidenced by proof of foreign exchange purchase or credit card statement in your name showing suitable limit.
- Travel insurance covering a minimum of €30,000 which covers medical treatment, repatriation and 3rd party liability
- Fee for visa in Rands, cash on date of application – enquire with consulate on date of application as to current rate.
Cost of Visa:
Single/Multiple Entry: €50 (payable in Rands, cash based on rate on date of application)
Portuguese Application form:
Must be original, hand-completed form, click here to download and print the English version for South Africans.
Cheap Flights to Portugal:
If you’re looking for the cheapest flights from South Africa to Portugal, visit www.travelstart.co.za where you can compare all available airlines and book the option which suits you best! We list all major airlines and low cost carriers in South Africa as well as hotels and car hire to allow you to book the best deals around on our site.
NB: While we try to keep this information up to date, it may change at any moment and we always recommend using a visa agency or dealing with the consulate directly to double-check and apply for the visa to ensure you have the most accurate and up-to-date information. We cannot take any responsibility for any inaccuracies or changes in information above.
image from soyignatius on Flickr
In Cape Town you may only use the services of a visa agency if you reside more than 250kms from the Consulate, otherwise you need to present yourself personally.
Cool, thanks Pedro, will update accordingly!
Approximately how long does it take?
Hi Jason, it takes about 5 working days, this can vary depending on how busy the consulate it, it can even be as quick as 2 days, during busy seasons it may be a bit longer too. You’ll need to contact the consulate or a local visa agency for the current waiting time for the dates you’re wanting to apply and travel
Thanks for the reply! One other question, the application form (item 27) asks whether fingerprints were collected previously for a Schengen visa. I’ve had Schengen visas before and don’t remember this requirement. I’ll be applying through a visa agency as I live far from the consulates/embassies. Are fingerprints a requirement?
Hi Jason, as far as I am aware, they are not, but if they do request them you’ll have to provide. I doubt though that they will require them, not heard of it happening before to be honest and all of those I have applied for have not needed finger prints yet. I suspect they may request these in the case of you having a criminal record – not 100% sure though the reasons for it.
Thanks Nick!
Hi, Im having trouble seeing where to pay the visa cost to. Does the Portuguese Embassy accept visa payments at their office?
Hi Izzy! You’ll need to pay 60 Euro in Rands cash at the offices when you arrive and apply for the visa. They don’t accept credit card payments. The exchange rate can vary from day to day, so bring about R700 in cash, make some of the notes smaller notes (10′s and 20′s) so it’s easier to pay.
Hope this helps!
Hi Nick, I cant find anything on the net to make an appointment at the consulate in cape town. do you just pitch up? if not, please guide me to website to make an appointment. thanks so much, di
Hi Nick! I was wondering what the max amount of time is that you can stay in Portugal on a social visa. And have you heard of people extending their social visas into a work visa whilst still in Portugal?
Thanks!
Hi Raymond! Thanks for getting in touch. To my knowledge Europe requires you to return home to South Africa to apply for a work permit/visa for any European country. You will need an offer of employment from the European company and they will need to jump through several hoops in proving that you’re the best man for the job before the application can proceed.
For the tourist/visitor’s visa I can’t find information explicitly stating what the maximum is but it’s more than 90 days. You will need to check with the Portuguese consulate for more info on this as they will be the ones stipulating the guidelines (long stay visas are usually only valid for one country): http://www.cgj.org.za/vtypes.htm