Traveling with a Portuguese passport: countries without visa requirements for tourism and residence
With more than 150 countries released by the Portuguese passport, it becomes one of the most powerful in the world, allowing tourism with limited periods of stay or residence permits. This means that the travel possibilities are endless, including countries such as Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, and Thailand, as well as all the other destinations belonging to the European Union, where Portuguese nationals are allowed only with their citizen’s card.
Traveling to another country is a must for those who want to get to know new cultures and places. For this, it is necessary to obtain a visa, which is an authorization attached to the passport, issued by each country according to the foreigner’s function, such as tourism, work, study, and business. Each country has different visa requirements and fees.
With Portuguese nationality, you can cross the border into other EU states using only your identity document. The member states are: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and of course Portugal. The so-called Schengen Visa is valid, which ensures that Europeans can move around with nothing more than their national ID.
In short, the Portuguese passport allows greater freedom of movement when compared to other countries, whereas the Brazilian passport, for example, allows direct entry into 45 other nations.
Is the Portuguese passport equivalent to the American Visa?
The Portuguese passport is highly valued internationally, especially by Brazilians with European nationality, due to its main benefit: the exemption from the standard visa for the United States.
Through the Visa Waiver Program, citizens of selected countries, such as Portugal, can travel to the US for business or tourism without the need to apply for a visa, requiring only an electronic travel authorization.
The advantages of the Portuguese passport
The possibility of facilitated entry is not only restricted to the USA, but also extends to other countries that usually impose difficulties on Mercosur citizens, such as Japan, for example.
Furthermore, Brazilians who have dual nationality can continue to use both passports, choosing which one to use according to the advantage at any given time.
Portuguese traveling in the European Union
If a Portuguese citizen is traveling accompanied by people of non-European Union nationalities, it is necessary to check the required documents. Although Europeans have free access to member countries by plane, train, or car, it is always important to confirm each territory’s recommendations.
In addition, it is recommended to apply for the European health insurance card, which is offered free of charge by Social Security and can be applied for online. This card can be used not only in the EU, but also in Switzerland, Iceland, Norway, and Liechtenstein.
In addition, the driver’s license, also known as a driving license, is valid as a driving permit in all countries belonging to the group, as long as the minimum age is respected according to the location. Insurance for your own vehicle is also valid in all member states.
Portuguese passport for travel to destinations outside the European Union
In this case, you must present a passport valid for up to six months after you return from your trip. Next, it is important to check whether the destination country requires a visa even for Portuguese passport holders. Otherwise, it is only necessary to pay attention to the documentation and identification of the citizen.
When traveling outside the EU, you need to check if your Portuguese driver’s license is considered valid for driving during your trip. In addition, for destinations outside the EU, it is advisable to consider taking out travel insurance that includes medical assistance as well as protection against theft and robbery.
Destinations outside the EU that do not require a visa for Portuguese
According to E-Konomista, there are several countries outside the EU that do not require visas for Portuguese nationals, such as Albania, South Africa, Andorra, Antigua, Argentina, Armenia, Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Belarus, Bolivia, Bosnia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Kazakhstan, Chile, Cyprus, Colombia, South Korea, Costa Rica, Croatia, Dominica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, United Arab Emirates, Ecuador, Fiji, Philippines, Georgia, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, Marshall Islands, Solomon Islands, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Jamaica, Japan, Kiribati, Kosovo, Lesotho, Macau, Macedonia, Malaysia, Morocco, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Namibia, Nicaragua, New Zealand, Palau, Palestine, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Qatar, Kyrgyzstan, United Kingdom, Dominican Republic Romania, St. Kitts and Nevis, Sao Tome and Principe, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, St. Lucia, Senegal, Serbia, Swaziland, Thailand, Taiwan, East Timor, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Tuvalu, Ukraine, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Vatican City, and Venezuela.
It is always important to consult the website of the International Air Transport Association ( IATA ) for specific, up-to-date information about travel requirements for each destination.
Countries outside the EU that require only a visa on arrival for Portuguese
According to E-Konomista, there are countries outside the EU that allow the Portuguese to issue a visa upon arrival, such as: Bahrain, Bangladesh, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gambia, Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Iran, Jordan, Djibouti, Kuwait, Laos, Lebanon, Madagascar, Malawi, Maldives, Mauritania, Mozambique, Papua New Guinea, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, Suriname, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Togo, Turkey, Uganda, and Zambia.
The process of obtaining a visa on arrival is simple and fast, unlike conventional visas – but it is important to always check for updated information and regulations on the IATA website IATA WEBSITE .
Countries outside the EU and their authorizations for Portuguese citizens
- United States
To travel to the United States as a tourist for a period of less than 90 days without working or studying, the Portuguese need only the electronic authorization called ESTA. To get it, you need to apply online, which is usually approved within 72 hours before you enter the US. The ESTA fee is $14. Remember that ESTA is valid for two years after it is issued, or until the expiration date of the passport filled out on the application form.
- Canada
If a Portuguese citizen is traveling to Canada for tourism, it is not necessary to apply for a Canadian visa. All that is needed is to obtain electronic travel authorization, known as eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization). The application is simple and can be done digitally through the Government of Canada’s website prior to travel. The fee is 7 Canadian dollars and the permit is valid for five years or until the expiration date of the passport linked to the eTA.
- Australia
Australia allows Portuguese people to travel for tourism or business with an electronic permit, known as an eVisitor. This document is free and can be used for a period of one year, with maximum stays of three months. To obtain it, you need to apply for the document at the embassy.
- Russia
To obtain Russian clearance, you need to apply for a visa at the embassy in Lisbon a few weeks in advance of your trip. This visa is valid for tourism only, allowing stays of up to one month. However, if the trip is short, lasting up to 72 hours, it is not necessary to apply for a visa. It is advisable that, when applying, you have already defined your flights and accommodation, as well as travel insurance. The visa fee is about 58 euros.
- India
The e-Tourist Visa is the electronic version of the tourist visa that allows a single entry into India. It is valid for 30 days after issuance and can be applied for online, with an average fee of $80.
- Cuba
To obtain the Cuban tourist visa, it is necessary to apply for the document at the embassy, presenting your passport, filling out the form, as well as proving that you have booked round-trip tickets and travel insurance. The cost of the visa is 22 Euros.
- Cambodia
It is possible to obtain a tourist visa by applying online, provided a passport valid for more than six months is presented. The maximum duration of this visa is one month.
- China
The visa issued for tourism in China only authorizes one entry and stay of up to 30 days. On the other hand, the Portuguese passport is sufficient for entry into Hong Kong and Macau, allowing a stay of up to 90 days in each city.
- Myanmar
A tourist visa for Myanmar can be applied for online, at a cost of $50. It allows stays of up to 28 days with only one entry.
- Laos
As with most of the countries mentioned above, the maximum allowed stay is one month and it is mandatory to have a passport valid for at least six months to apply for a visa. The visa issuing fee is approximately $35, which may vary according to the local currency, such as Thai, Cambodian, or Vietnamese.
Conclusion
In summary, there are 150 countries that simplify the entry of Portuguese citizens, including Brazilians with dual citizenship. The money saving, facilities and advantages stand out compared to other passports. In fact, the Portuguese passport is one of the most powerful in the world!
