Quick answer
Indians need a Schengen visa for Portugal, lodged only through VFS Global. Residents of Goa, Maharashtra, Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli apply via the Consulate General in Goa; everyone else via the Embassy in New Delhi. The fee is EUR 90 (about ₹9,200) plus VFS charges. Insurance must come from Portugal's approved list of Indian insurers.
At a glance
- Visa type
- Schengen short-stay visa (Type C) issued by Portugal
- Stay allowed
- Up to 90 days in any 180-day period
- Fee
- EUR 90 (about ₹9,200) per adult, EUR 45 (about ₹4,600) for children aged 6–11, plus a VFS Global service charge
- Processing
- About 15 calendar days once lodged; slot availability depends on periodic releases
- Validity
- As issued: trip dates on a first visa, 2-year or 5-year multiple-entry under the India cascade
- Apply at
- Official portal
Documents checklist
- Schengen application form, completed and signed
- Passport valid at least 3 months beyond your exit from Schengen, issued within 10 years, plus old passports
- Two 35 x 45 mm photographs on a white background
- Proof of at least 6 months' residence in the jurisdiction where you apply (Aadhaar or address proof)
- Cover letter and day-by-day itinerary showing Portugal as the longest stay
- Bank statements for the last 3–6 months, stamped
- ITR acknowledgements for the last 2–3 years
- Leave letter and last 3 salary slips, or GST and business records
- Hotel bookings for every night and a refundable flight reservation
- Travel insurance from an insurer on Portugal's approved Indian list, with at least EUR 30,000 cover
- Copies of previous Schengen, UK or US visas
Common mistakes that get Indians refused
- Buying insurance from a company not on Portugal's approved list, even with adequate cover.
- Booking the wrong visa category on VFS. The application cannot be submitted in a mis-booked slot.
- Applying in India while living abroad. The Embassy refuses to handle files from non-residents without a credible reason.
- Paying third parties for 'early appointments'. The Embassy calls this illegal and asks for it to be reported.
When is Portugal the right country?
Apply to Portugal when it is your longest stay: Lisbon, Sintra, Porto and the Algarve fill a week comfortably. On a Spain–Portugal trip, count nights. If Spain gets more, see our Spain visa guide. The shared Schengen rules are on our Schengen visa guide.
Which office handles your file?
Portugal uses VFS Global as its only authorised service provider in India, with two deciding offices:
| You live in | Submit at VFS in | Decided by |
|---|---|---|
| Goa, Maharashtra, Daman & Diu, Dadra & Nagar Haveli | Mumbai, Pune, Goa | Consulate General of Portugal, Goa |
| The rest of India | New Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, Jalandhar, Kolkata | Embassy of Portugal, New Delhi |
You must have lived in that jurisdiction for at least six months. The Embassy is strict: someone living abroad cannot apply in India simply because appointments look easier there.
Slots come in batches
Portugal's appointment slots are released in tranches. The Embassy announces each release, for example a block of dates from mid-October to the end of December opened at 5 pm on a single afternoon, and they go quickly. Have documents ready before a release so you can book and submit straight away. Applications are accepted no earlier than six months and no later than 15 days before travel.
Portugal-specific points
- Approved insurers. Portugal publishes a list of approved Indian travel insurers. A policy from a company not on the list can be rejected even if it gives EUR 30,000 or more of cover.
- Appeals cost money. A refusal can be appealed through VFS for a fee of EUR 75 plus taxes (about ₹7,700 plus taxes). A corrected fresh application is often the quicker route.
- Category matters. Book the correct visa category on VFS. A wrongly booked slot cannot be used to submit.
Documents that decide the outcome
Bring three to six months of stamped bank statements, ITRs for two to three years, a leave letter and salary slips (or business proof), a day-by-day itinerary, hotel bookings for every night, a refundable flight reservation and the insurance certificate. Previous visas strengthen any file.
Lisbon and Porto suit Indian families best in April–May and September–October, when fares and heat are both kinder than in July and August.
Our visa assistance team prepares Portuguese files and cover letters, and we arrange travel insurance from insurers that meet the Embassy's requirements. For a packaged trip, browse our international tour packages.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I apply for a Portugal visa if I live in Mumbai?
Which travel insurance is accepted for a Portugal visa?
Why can't I find a Portugal visa appointment?
Can I appeal a Portugal visa refusal?
How we checked this page
Last reviewed
Written and fact-checked by the Elitech Travels editorial desk in New Delhi, drawing on our consultants' day-to-day booking work and the official sources below. Rules, fares and fees change — always confirm anything critical with the issuing authority before you travel. Our editorial policy.
