- Capital
- Lisbon (LIS)
- Dialing Code
- + 351
- Time Zone
- UCT +/- 0
- Daylight Savings Time
- Last Sunday of March - Last Sunday in October: UTC / GMT +1
- Language
- Portuguese
- Best Time to Go
- March - May & September - October
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
Travel Tips
- In Azores, time zone is UTC / GMT +1, and during daylight savings time it is UTC / GMT +2
- Mains water in hotels and towns is safe to drink, whilst outside of the main towns (in small villages), water may be contaminated
- English is widely spoken
Last updated 14 September 2026
Visa Guide
Foreign Representation in South Africa
Embassy of Portugal (Pretoria)
599 Leyds Street, Muckleneuk, Pretoria, 0002.
Telephone: 012 341 2340
Consular: 012 346 4285 (telephonic assistance: from 15:00 to 16:00)
Hours: Monday - Friday, 08:30 - 13:00
E-mail: pretoria@mne.pt or sconsular.pretoria@mne.pt
Website: pretoria.embaixadaportugal.mne.gov.pt
Visits by appointment only
Consulate General of Portugal (Johannesburg)
Portuguese House, 15 Ernest Oppenheimer Boulevard, Bruma 2198.
Telephone: 011 622 0645
E-mail: consulado.joanesburgo@mne.pt
Web: joanesburgo.consuladoportugal.mne.gov.pt
Visits by appointment only
Consulate General of Portugal (Cape Town)
Main Tower, 10th Floor, Suite 1006, Standard Bank Centre, Hertzog Boulevard, Cape Town, 8000
Telephone: 021 418 0080
Hours: Monday - Friday, 08:00-13:00
E-mail: consulado.cabo@mne.pt
Public Holidays
2026
January: 1
April: 3, 5, 25
May: 1
June: 4, 10
August: 15
October: 5
November: 1
December: 1, 8, 25
Visa Application Centre
Visa Applications through VFS Global. Visa information is available at: vistos.mne.gov.pt/en/
VFS Global
Tel: 012 425 3003
Web: visa.vfsglobal.com/zaf/en/prt/
Mon - Fri: 08:00- 12:30, 13:30-16:00
Residents of Northern Cape, Eastern Cape and Western Cape and surrounding areas are required to submit their visa application at VFS Global in Cape Town.
CPT: 8th Floor, 2 Long Street, Cape Town. Closed Mondays.
DUR: Unit 409, 4th Floor, 91 -123 Cowey Road (Problem Mkhize), Essenwood, Durban
JNB: 1st Floor Rivonia Village, Corner Rivonia Boulevard and Mutual Road, Sandton
PTA: Brooklyn Pavilion, 316 Tram Street, Nieuw Muckleneuk, Brooklyn
Applications by appointment only
Visa Requirements
Visas are required by South African passport holders
Portugal is a member of the Schengen Agreement
- If you intend to visit only Portugal, you must apply at the Embassy of Portugal / Visa Application Centre
- If you intend to visit several Schengen countries, you must apply for a visa at the Embassy or Consulate that is your main destination / longest stay
- If you intend to visit several countries but are spending an equal number of days in each, you should apply for a visa at the Embassy or Consulate of the country of your first point of entry
See General Schengen Requirements
PLEASE ENSURE YOU MAKE COPIES OF ALL THE FOLLOWING SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION
- Checklist (please note the applicable checklist for your jurisdiction). Available on VFS website.
- Passport must have at least 3 blank pages
- Proof of sufficient funds: R1000 per day, in addition to funds for accommodation and flights
- Copy of data page of passport
- All applicants must submit biometrics, unless exempt
Visa Processing Time
Apply at least 15 calendar days before the intended visit. Not more than 6 months before the visit
Visa Validity
Stays of up to 90 days in a 180 day period
Visa Cost
Adults: EUR90
Children (6-12): EUR45
Children (under 6): Free
VFS Service Fee: R642
The applicable visa fee in South African Rand to VFS as per the current exchange rate (check website). It is subject to change without notice. The fee is non-refundable
Visa Forms
Health / Vaccinations
Compulsory:
- None
Recommended Travel Vaccines:
- Hepatitis B
- Tetanus
- Polio
South African Representative Abroad
South African Embassy
Av Luis Bivar 10, Lisbon, 1069-024
Telephone: +351 21 319 2200
E-mail: lisbon.consular@dirco.gov.za
Website: www.embaixada-africadosul.pt