Portugal
Phone Code
+351
Capital
Lisbon
Population
10 Million
Native Name
Portugal
Region
Europe
Southern Europe
Timezones
Azores Standard Time
UTC-01:00
+2 more
On This Page
Portugal is a southwestern European country on the Iberian Peninsula, bordered by Spain and the Atlantic Ocean, with a population of around 10 million and Lisbon as its capital. It is the oldest nation-state in Europe, with borders essentially unchanged since 1297, and was a global maritime power during the 15th-16th century Age of Discovery — a legacy still visible in Manueline architecture and cultural ties with former colonies like Brazil. The 20th century saw dictatorship under Salazar end with the peaceful 1974 Carnation Revolution, followed by EU membership in 1986. Most Western nationalities enter visa-free for up to 90 days as a Schengen Area member.
Visa Requirements for Portugal
Portugal is a member of the Schengen Area: citizens of around 60 countries, including the US, Canada, UK, Australia and New Zealand, enter visa-free for up to 90 days within any 180-day period, cumulative across all Schengen countries — EU/EEA/Swiss citizens have unrestricted freedom of movement and residence. Citizens of around 100 other countries need a Schengen Type C visa in advance. For longer stays, Portugal also offers popular residence programmes — the D7 passive-income/retirement visa and the Golden Visa investment route. See the visa categories below for the specific application requirements and durations.
Common Visa Types
Schengen Visa-Free Entry (Tourism/Business)
For tourism or business for citizens of approximately 60 countries including US, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and most of Latin America.
Schengen Short-Stay Visa (Type C)
For tourism, business, or visits for citizens of countries requiring visas (approximately 100+ countries including China, India, Russia, and most African countries).
D7 Visa (Passive Income / Retirement Visa)
Long-stay residence visa for retirees, pensioners, and individuals with passive income (rental, investments, remote work), extremely popular program.
Golden Visa (Residence by Investment)
Residence permit for non-EU investors making qualifying investments in Portugal, pathway to EU residence.
Important Travel Information
Portugal is a revelation — a country at the western edge of Europe that enchants with dramatic Atlantic coastlines, melancholic Fado music, one of the continent's most exciting food scenes, and a warmth of people that is rare in Europe. Lisbon and Porto anchor most first visits, with Sintra's palaces, the Algarve's beaches and the Douro Valley's vineyards each an easy extension from either city, and the Azores and Madeira offering a completely different, volcanic side of the country for those with more time. Portugal is affordable by Western European standards, famously safe, and bathed in over 300 days of sunshine a year.
Discover Portugal
The Algarve's golden colour and dramatic sea caves come from soft limestone laid down when the region sat under a shallow sea millions of years ago, later uplifted and exposed to Atlantic wave action that carved caves, arches and the honeycombed cliff faces visible today at spots like Benagil. The erosion is ongoing — sections of cliff collapse periodically, which is why marked paths keep visitors back from unstable edges even at popular viewpoints. The same soft rock erodes into the hidden coves and isolated beaches that make the coastline reachable only by boat or clifftop scramble in many places, rather than a continuous accessible strip.
Ways to Experience This Destination
The Algarve delivers Europe's most reliable beach weather with 300+ days of sunshine: Praia Dona Ana and Ponta da Piedade in Lagos (golden cliffs, boat tours to grottoes), Benagil sea cave (accessible by kayak or boat), Praia da Marinha (consistently ranked among Europe's finest beaches), and the wild Costa Vicentina on the western coast for surfing. North of Lisbon: Cascais and Costa da Caparica offer city-accessible beaches. The Azores and Madeira add volcanic black-sand beaches and natural ocean pools. Water temperature ranges from 15-19°C (wetsuit territory for surfing) to a swimmable 19-22°C in the Algarve in summer. Over 16,000 km of coastline — every type of beach from family-friendly resort strips to hidden coves reachable only by clifftop scramble.
Lisbon cascades over seven hills: the Alfama quarter (Moorish lanes, São Jorge Castle, Fado houses), Belém (Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower, pastéis de nata at the original bakery), Bairro Alto (nightlife), and Chiado (cafés, bookshops). Porto's Ribeira waterfront (UNESCO) and port wine cellars across the Douro in Vila Nova de Gaia are unmissable — then the Livraria Lello bookshop and São Bento station's azulejo murals. Sintra (30 minutes from Lisbon) is a fairy-tale concentration of palaces: Pena Palace, Quinta da Regaleira's Initiation Well, the Moorish Castle on the ridge. Évora in the Alentejo preserves a Roman temple, medieval walls and a chapel of bones. Coimbra has Portugal's oldest university (founded 1290) with a stunning Baroque library.
The Douro Valley (UNESCO) is where port wine grapes grow on impossibly steep terraced vineyards — river cruises, quinta estate visits and tastings make this one of Europe's great wine experiences. Port cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia (Taylor's, Graham's, Sandeman) offer tours with tastings. Beyond port: Alentejo reds are Portugal's rising stars, Vinho Verde (slightly sparkling “green wine” from the north) is perfect summer drinking, and Madeira wine has aged for centuries. Food: pastéis de nata, bacalhau (salt cod prepared 365 ways), grilled sardines (seasonal May-October), arroz de marisco (seafood rice), piri-piri chicken, and caldo verde. Lisbon's Time Out Market and Porto's food scene rival any in Europe. Traditional tascas offer some of the best-value meals in Western Europe.
Portugal is Europe's surf capital. Nazaré produces the biggest waves on the planet — the world-record 26.21 m wave was ridden here at Praia do Norte (the giant-wave season runs October-February), spectacularly viewable from the clifftop fort above. Ericeira is Europe's only World Surfing Reserve with 7+ breaks within 8 km. Peniche hosts World Surf League events at the powerful Supertubos barrel. Sagres in the Algarve offers multiple exposures ensuring year-round surfable conditions. Affordable surf camps bundling accommodation, lessons and board rental make Portugal accessible for beginners. Water temperature requires a wetsuit (3-5mm depending on season). Best big-wave season: October-April; best for learning: June-September with smaller, warmer conditions.
Madeira's levada walks follow centuries-old irrigation channels carved into mountainsides through laurel forest (UNESCO) — dozens of routes from easy strolls to dramatic ridge walks with Atlantic panoramas. The Rota Vicentina on the southwest coast (Fisherman's Trail along clifftops, Historical Way through cork oak forests) is one of Europe's finest coastal long-distance paths. The Azores offer volcanic crater rim hikes, hot spring bathing, and whale watching (sperm whales year-round, blue whales in spring). Serra da Estrela is mainland Portugal's highest range with winter snow. Peneda-Gerês in the north is Portugal's only national park — granite peaks, waterfalls and wild horses.
The Azores — nine volcanic islands in the mid-Atlantic, 1,500 km from mainland Portugal. Crater lakes (Sete Cidades on São Miguel — twin blue and green lakes in a volcanic caldera), whale and dolphin watching, geothermal hot springs, lush green landscapes that feel closer to Iceland than Iberia. Madeira — the “Pearl of the Atlantic” with subtropical gardens (Monte Palace), the levada walking network, Funchal's markets and Madeira wine tastings, and one of the world's most spectacular New Year's Eve fireworks. Both archipelagos offer year-round mild temperatures, dramatically different landscapes from the mainland, and direct flights from Lisbon, Porto and several European cities.
Money & Currency
Euro (EUR)
Currency code: EUR
Practical Money Tips
Euro (EUR) — Portugal is a full eurozone member; no currency exchange needed from other eurozone countries; GBP, USD, CHF exchangeable at banks and exchange offices in Lisbon, Porto, Faro, Coimbra; Multibanco ATMs are Portugal's own dense nationwide network — even in villages; avoid airport exchange counters for non-EUR currencies; best rates at city-centre exchange offices or ATM withdrawal
Portugal uses the Euro (EUR) and has been a eurozone member since 1999. Travelers from France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and other eurozone countries need no currency exchange. GBP, USD, and CHF are exchangeable at banks and city-centre exchange offices in Lisbon (Baixa, Rossio), Porto (Aliados, Bolhão), and Faro. Avoid airport exchange counters — rates are typically 5–8% worse. The best strategy for non-EUR travelers is withdrawing EUR from Multibanco ATMs on arrival. SEPA bank transfers from EU banks to Portuguese accounts incur no extra fees — relevant for long-stay visitors and digital nomads.
Multibanco — Portugal's own nationwide ATM network; extraordinarily dense, present in even small villages; Caixa Geral de Depósitos, Millennium BCP, Santander Totta, Novo Banco, BPI ATMs everywhere; always withdraw in EUR; Wise and Revolut work seamlessly; MB Way is Portugal's dominant mobile payment app but requires a Portuguese phone number — tourists cannot use it
Multibanco is Portugal's own interoperable ATM and payment network — one of the most comprehensive in Europe. ATMs are found even in villages, monasteries near Sintra, and island communities in the Azores and Madeira. Major bank ATMs: Caixa Geral de Depósitos (CGD), Millennium BCP, Santander Totta, Novo Banco, BPI. Always withdraw in EUR. Wise and Revolut cards work well at Multibanco ATMs with competitive rates. MB Way is the dominant Portuguese mobile payment app (peer-to-peer transfers and shop payments) but requires a Portuguese mobile number and bank account — tourists cannot use MB Way.
Excellent card acceptance — Visa and Mastercard accepted almost everywhere including small restaurants, tascas, and markets; Apple Pay and Google Pay work very well throughout Portugal (French and Italian banking apps fully compatible); MB Way requires Portuguese phone number — tourists cannot use it; contactless payments ubiquitous; very tourist-friendly payment infrastructure across Lisbon, Porto, Algarve, Azores, and Madeira
Portugal has excellent card payment infrastructure. Visa and Mastercard are accepted in virtually all restaurants, cafés, shops, hotels, supermarkets, and at most markets. Apple Pay and Google Pay work very well throughout Portugal — compatible with French, Italian, German, Spanish, and UK banking apps. MB Way is Portugal's dominant local mobile payment app but requires a Portuguese phone number and bank account — tourists cannot use it. Contactless payments are ubiquitous. Smaller tascas (traditional taverns) in rural areas may prefer cash — carry some EUR. American Express acceptance is more limited outside major hotels.
Affordable outside Lisbon/Algarve tourist areas: budget guesthouse Porto/Évora/Braga from EUR 35–60/night; mid-range hotel Lisbon EUR 100–200/night; restaurant meal EUR 12–25; pastel de nata EUR 1.20–1.80; Sintra Palace tickets EUR 8–14; Douro Valley wine tour EUR 40–80; tipping 5–10% appreciated but not mandatory; service charge not typically auto-added
Portugal offers excellent value, especially outside Lisbon's tourist centre and the Algarve. Budget guesthouse in Porto, Évora, or Braga: EUR 35–60/night. Mid-range hotel in Lisbon or Algarve: EUR 100–200/night. Restaurant meal (prato do dia — daily special): EUR 9–14 — outstanding value including soup, main, and drink. Fine dining: EUR 30–60/person. Pastel de nata at a pastelaria: EUR 1.20–1.80. Sintra National Palace: EUR 10. Azores: generally 20–30% cheaper than mainland Portugal. Madeira: similar to mainland. Tipping: 5–10% is appreciated and appropriate; service is not typically auto-added to bills.
Note: Always check current exchange rates before traveling. Currency exchange is available at airports, banks, and authorized money changers.
Accredited missions for Portugal
Most Western nationalities — the US, Canada, UK, Australia and New Zealand among them — enter visa-free for up to 90 days as part of the Schengen Area, with no advance application needed; EU/EEA/Swiss citizens have unrestricted freedom of movement.
Either works as a first stop — Lisbon is larger with easy day trips to Sintra and the coast, while Porto is smaller, more compact, and puts the Douro Valley within easy reach. Many visitors do both on one trip via the fast train between them.
Yes — the clifftop fort above Praia do Norte is the standard viewing spot during the October-February big-wave season, and you don't need to be a surfer or get in the water to watch; the regular town beach nearby has much calmer, normal conditions.
Treat this Visaja page as your starting point: verify the current rules directly with the official source before you submit an application.