Portugal
About
| Though overshadowed by its more popular neighbour to the east, Portugal remains one of Europe's unspoilt gems. This land of traditional villages and vibrant cities has a countryside strewn with historical treasures and a wide assortment of World Heritage sites - natural and cultural wonders that offer a window into this once great seafaring nation. Have a go at scuba-diving, surfing, windsurfing or kitesurfing at one of the watersports centres dotted along the coast. Traditional festivals with dancing, drinking and feasting, occur throughout the year. Top picks include Lisbon's festival of St Anthony (12 and 13 June) and Braga's festival of St John (23 and 24 June). A colourful tapestry of urban life awaits in the vibrant hilltop neighbourhoods of Lisbon. Don't miss drinks in rowdy Bairro Alto, live fado in the Alfama or cafe culture in elegant Chiado. The city is home to Europe's largest oceanarium. |
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| Capital: | Lisbon (LIS) |
| Currency: | Euro (EUR) |
| Language: | Portuguese. English is widely spoken |
| Dialling code from SA: | + 351 |
| Time Zones: | No UTC / GMT offset (2 hours behind South Africa). In Azores, time zone is UTC / GMT +1 (1 hour behind South Africa) |
| Daylight Savings Time: | From last Sunday March – last Sun in October: UTC / GMT +1 (1 hour behind South Africa). In Azores, DST is UTC / GMT +2 (same time as South Africa). |
| Side of the Road: | Right. Electronic Tolling is in use on some of the roads. |
| Best Time to go: | March – May and September – October (Spring and Autumn). |
| Best For: | Medieval Architecture, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Religious Sites and Artefacts. |
| Plugs: | 230 volts AC, 50Hz. Continental two-pin plugs are in use |
| Drinking Water: | Mains water in hotels and towns is safe to drink. Outside of the main towns (in small villages), water may be contaminated. Bottled water is available. |
| Health: | There are adequate and well-equipped medical facilities, however visitors are required to pay for these services. Comprehensive health insurance is recommended. If you require any medication on your travels it is best to bring it with you, in the original packaging, with a signed and dated letter from your doctor detailing exactly what it is and why you need it. |
| Customs: | Normal social courtesies. Beachwear should be reserved for the beach / poolside. |
| Local Offences / Laws: | Smoking is prohibited in public places. Some restaurants may have a designated smoking area. Identification should be carried at all times. |
| Duty Free: | If you are travelling from within the EU, there is no limit on the amount or value of goods you may import, providing your goods are for personal consumption. Goods imported for commercial purposes are subject to duty and the following guideline amounts are in place to determine whether this is the case: • 800 cigarettes or 400 cigarillos or 200 cigars or 1kg of tobacco. • 10L of spirits over 22% volume, 20L of alcoholic beverages less than 22% volume, 90L of wine (no more than 60L of sparkling wine) and 110L of beer. If you are arriving from a non-EU country, the following goods may be imported into Portugal by persons over 17 years of age without incurring customs duty: • 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco. • 4L of wine and 16L of beer and 1L of spirits over 22% volume or 2L of alcoholic beverages less than 22% volume. • Other goods up to the value of €430 for air and sea travellers and €300 for other travellers (reduced to €150 for children under 15). |
| Prohibited Imports: | Prohibited items include counterfeit bank notes and coins, goods manufactured using prison labour, flick knives, matches containing white or yellow phosphorus, parrots, parakeets and related birds, plastic shopping bags, gaming machines, and firearm silencers. Restricted items requiring special permission or certification include animals, narcotics, fireworks, fish, food, goods considered a danger to the community, pornographic and violent publications and films, goods that infringe intellectual property rights, literature advocating the overthrow by force of any country, literature inciting hostility against the Papua New Guinea government, pesticides, plumage and skins of birds of paradise and crown pigeons, rice, radioactive substances, tear gas, and vaccines. |
Issuing Authorities
Embassy of Portugal (Pretoria)
599 Leyds Street, Muckleneuk, Pretoria, 0002.
Tel: 012 341 2340
Consular: 012 346 4285 (telephonic assistance: from 15:00 to 16:00)
Hours: Mon-Fri 08:30-13:00
E-mail: pretoria@mne.pt or sconsular.pretoria@mne.pt
Web: pretoria.embaixadaportugal.mne.gov.pt
Visits by appointment only.
Consulate General of Portugal (Johannesburg)
Portuguese House, 15 Ernest Oppenheimer Boulevard, Bruma 2198.
Tel: 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
Tel: 021 418 0080
Hours: Mon-Fri 08:00-13:00
E-mail: consulado.cabo@mne.pt
Visa Applications through VFS Global. Visa information is available at: vistos.mne.gov.pt/en/
Public Holidays 2025: Jan 1; Apr 18, 20, 25; May 1; Jun 10, 19; Aug 15; Oct 5; Nov 1; Dec 1, 8, 25
Public Holidays 2026: Jan 1; Apr 3, 5, 25; May 1; Jun 4, 10; Aug 15; Oct 5; Nov 1; Dec 1, 8, 25
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.
Visa Applications are to be made through VFS Global
Tel: 012 425 3003
Web: visa.vfsglobal.com/zaf/en/prt/
Mon - Fri: 08:00- 12:30, 13:30-16:00
NOTE: 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.
REQUIREMENTS
See General Schengen Requirements
In addition:
NOTE: PLEASE ENSURE YOU MAKE COPIES OF ALL 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.
SA Representative
South African Embassy
Av Luis Bivar 10, Lisbon, 1069-024
Tel: +351 21 319 2200
E-mail: lisbon.consular@dirco.gov.za
Website: www.embaixada-africadosul.pt
Travel Health
| Compulsory: | None |
| Recommended Travel Vaccines: | Hepatitis B, Tetanus, Polio |
