How long does a Portugal family visit visa take to process?

A decision on a Portugal family visit visa typically takes around 15 days from the appointment date, though peak season, additional document requests and consulate workload can extend this. Apply as early as the rules allow.

What documents are required for a Portugal family visit visa?

The Portugal consular network lists: Completed application form (Schengen or national D6 as applicable); Valid passport with 2 blank pages; Two recent passport photos; Proof of the family relationship (marriage or birth certificate, translated and legalised); Invitation letter or Termo de Responsabilidade from the host in Portugal; Host's proof of accommodation and legal residence in Portugal; Travel medical insurance (short-stay visits); Proof of sufficient funds for the trip; Evidence of the sponsor's EU/EEA/Swiss or Withdrawal Agreement status (Directive route); Criminal record certificate (D6 long-stay applications). Some items are mandatory and others only advisable — the EU Visa Compass checklist tool flags which is which.

Can I apply for a Portugal family visit visa from the United Kingdom?

Yes. We list 3 submission points in the UK for Portugal, with addresses and notes, on this page. If you live elsewhere, use the consulate covering your country of residence — the requirements themselves stay the same.

Portugal family visit visa: requirements, fee and processing time

This page covers the Portugal family visit visa — used for visiting relatives or a partner, including family members of EU/EEA/Swiss citizens. Every field below is taken from our editor-verified country record and reflects what the Portugal consular network publishes for applicants of any nationality. You apply in the country where you legally reside, so exact centres and service fees can differ locally.

Consular fee

€90

Typical decision

15 days

Appointments

Outsourced center

Where to apply for a Portugal family visit visa

VFS Global centre in the UK for the Consulate General of Portugal in London; a separate free-of-charge track exists for family members of EU/EEA/Swiss citizens under Directive 2004/38/EC.

Required documents

Completed application form (Schengen or national D6 as applicable)
Valid passport with 2 blank pages
Two recent passport photos
Proof of the family relationship (marriage or birth certificate, translated and legalised)
Invitation letter or Termo de Responsabilidade from the host in Portugal
Host's proof of accommodation and legal residence in Portugal
Travel medical insurance (short-stay visits)
Proof of sufficient funds for the trip
Evidence of the sponsor's EU/EEA/Swiss or Withdrawal Agreement status (Directive route)
Criminal record certificate (D6 long-stay applications)

Turn this list into a tick-off checklist on the checklist page, which also flags which items are mandatory and which are only advisable.

Fees, reductions and exemptions

Adult Schengen family visit€90— Ordinary visit to relatives or friends
Child 6-11€45— Reduced Schengen fee
Child under 6Free— Exempt
EU/EEA/Swiss family member (Directive 2004/38/EC)Free— Free and prioritised for spouses, children and dependent relatives
D6 family reunification national visa€110— Joining a third-country national legally resident in Portugal
VFS UK service fee€33— Charged in GBP on top of the consular fee

EUR 90 for an ordinary family-visit Schengen visa; free under Directive 2004/38/EC for family members of EU/EEA/Swiss citizens and of UK citizens covered by the Withdrawal Agreement. Long-stay family reunification uses the D6 national visa at EUR 110.

Booking an appointment

Book under the 'Family/Friends' or 'EEA/EU and Swiss National Family Member' category - the latter has its own checklist and is fee-free.

Practical tips

If your sponsor is an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen or a UK citizen with Withdrawal Agreement status, ask explicitly for the Directive 2004/38/EC route - it waives the fee and requires prioritised handling.

What is unusual about the Portugal process

The short-stay family visit and the D6 family reunification visa are different products: the first is for visits under 90 days, the second for permanently joining a resident relative and needs biometrics plus a criminal record check.

Official sources

If you are applying from the United Kingdom

London — VFS Global — Portugal Visa Application Centre
66 Wilson Street, London EC2A 2BT
Main centre for Portuguese short-stay and national visas.
Manchester — VFS Global — Portugal Visa Application Centre
Norfolk House, Brown Street, Manchester M2 1DW
Regional centre.
Edinburgh — VFS Global — Portugal Visa Application Centre
Cargill House, 7 Hill Street, Edinburgh EH2 3JZ
Serves Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Applying from somewhere else? Use the consulate that covers your country of legal residence — the requirements above still apply.

Updated today against official Portugal consular sources. Requirements can change without notice — always confirm before you travel.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Portugal family visit visa cost?: For a Portugal family visit visa, the consular fee is €90. Reduced or waived amounts apply to: Adult Schengen family visit — €90; Child 6-11 — €45; Child under 6 — free; EU/EEA/Swiss family member (Directive 2004/38/EC) — free; D6 family reunification national visa — €110; VFS UK service fee — €33. EUR 90 for an ordinary family-visit Schengen visa; free under Directive 2004/38/EC for family members of EU/EEA/Swiss citizens and of UK citizens covered by the Withdrawal Agreement. Long-stay family reunification uses the D6 national visa at EUR 110. Visa application centres such as VFS Global, BLS, TLScontact or Capago charge their own service fee on top.
How long does a Portugal family visit visa take to process?: A decision on a Portugal family visit visa typically takes around 15 days from the appointment date, though peak season, additional document requests and consulate workload can extend this. Apply as early as the rules allow.
Where do I apply for a Portugal family visit visa?: VFS Global centre in the UK for the Consulate General of Portugal in London; a separate free-of-charge track exists for family members of EU/EEA/Swiss citizens under Directive 2004/38/EC. You always apply through the mission or application centre that covers your country of legal residence.
What documents are required for a Portugal family visit visa?: The Portugal consular network lists: Completed application form (Schengen or national D6 as applicable); Valid passport with 2 blank pages; Two recent passport photos; Proof of the family relationship (marriage or birth certificate, translated and legalised); Invitation letter or Termo de Responsabilidade from the host in Portugal; Host's proof of accommodation and legal residence in Portugal; Travel medical insurance (short-stay visits); Proof of sufficient funds for the trip; Evidence of the sponsor's EU/EEA/Swiss or Withdrawal Agreement status (Directive route); Criminal record certificate (D6 long-stay applications). Some items are mandatory and others only advisable — the EU Visa Compass checklist tool flags which is which.
How do appointments work for a Portugal family visit visa?: Appointment model: Outsourced center. Book under the 'Family/Friends' or 'EEA/EU and Swiss National Family Member' category - the latter has its own checklist and is fee-free.
Can I apply for a Portugal family visit visa from the United Kingdom?: Yes. We list 3 submission points in the UK for Portugal, with addresses and notes, on this page. If you live elsewhere, use the consulate covering your country of residence — the requirements themselves stay the same.

🇵🇹 Portugal family visit visa: requirements, fee and processing time