Frequently Asked Portugal ETIAS Questions
Do I need a visa for Portugal?
If your passport is older than 2022, your biometric passport will be sufficient for a trip to Portugal. Your biometric passport will be required if your trip is for 2024 and later. The new European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) will be available in 2025. Canadians who plan to travel to Portugal or other Schengen Area countries in 2025 will need ETIAS Visa Portugal. There is a short grace period. Portugal ETIAS cannot replace or function like a traditional visa. Tourists on short-term travels will find it easier to apply for this visa. If you plan to stay in Portugal for more than 90 days or to study, you will need to apply.
Do Canadians need Portugal ETIAS?
Canadian citizens will need to get ETIAS approval when it becomes mandatory in 2025. ETIAS will offer a visa waiver to citizens from 60 countries. This will replace the current travel process. The new ETIAS visa waiver will allow travellers and border agents to adjust to the system within six months. However, this should not be used to excuse you from completing your ETIAS application. Eight days prior to the departure date, your application must be received. Portugal ETIAS authorizations are valid for up to 3 years from the date they were issued. You don’t have to worry about your authorization expiring before you travel.
ETIAS preapproval is not a guarantee of entry to Portugal and other Schengen countries. Portuguese border officials will make final decisions. They can ask for more information or deny entry. They might also request proof of your ETIAS approval. These requests are made in order to verify that travellers are truthful about their intentions and prevent illegal or terroristic immigration.
Will Canadians need to apply for Portugal ETIAS?
Canada is not expected to be removed from the EU’s 60 visa-exempt lists. ETIAS will become mandatory in 2025. Canadian citizens planning to travel to Portugal and other Schengen countries must submit an ETIAS online request to be pre-approved. While you don’t need to submit a traditional visa application, Canadian citizens will need Portugal ETIAS approval to travel to Portugal and other Schengen countries. Canada is exempt from visa requirements and will be affected as a result of the changes in the Schengen Area’s travel policies and ETIAS for Portugal policies.
When will Portugal ETIAS go live?
In 2025, the new ETIAS visa waiver program will be available. It will be mandatory after a grace period of six months. This grace period will allow travellers and border officials to adjust to the new policies. It is highly recommended that you apply for the ETIAS visa waiver once it becomes live. It’s easy and straightforward. Access to the internet is required for applicants. A valid passport with biometric information is required. This passport must not expire before three months from the date of your arrival. The entire application should take less than 10 minutes. Portugal ETIAS approvals are valid for three years unless you get a new passport. It doesn’t matter how many destinations or trips you take. Applying is simple, and your ETIAS won’t expire before you travel, so there is no reason for you to delay. It is in your best interest to submit your application no later than 8 days before your departure date.
I am a citizen of a Schengen country. How do I apply for Portugal ETIAS?
ETIAS citizens, a complete list that can be found on our homepage, are not required to apply for Portugal ETIAS when they enter their country or another Schengen country. ETIAS approval does not need to be obtained by citizens of Germany who are travelling to Portugal from another ETIAS country. You will need an ETIAS request to authorize your trip if you have a Canadian, American, or British citizen in your party or from another ETIAS-eligible nation.
I have more than one nationality. Which citizenship should I choose when filling out the ETIAS Application Form?
It depends on your country’s nationality. ETIAS approval does not apply to dual citizens of ETIAS or non-ETIAS countries. To enter Europe, you will need a passport from an ETIAS country. You will need your French passport if you are a dual citizen in Canada and France. You will need to submit an ETIAS application if you are a citizen of two non-ETIAS nations, but only one is eligible for Portugal ETIAS. To submit an ETIAS request, if you are a dual citizen of Canada and Thailand, your Canadian passport should be used. You will need to apply for a Schengen visa using your Thai passport. Our customer service team is happy to assist with any questions you might have.
Are children required to apply for Portugal ETIAS?
ETIAS will be mandatory for everyone, even children. Portugal ETIAS will become mandatory for all eligible travellers (check our homepage for a complete list) who wish to enter the Schengen Area. This change will take effect in 2025. Only legal adults can fill out ETIAS forms. The form should only be completed by legal adults.
Can I study or work in Portugal with my ETIAS visa waiver?
Portugal ETIAS approval does not replace traditional visa processes. It will only be available for short-term tourist purposes. This visa is not allowed for work or studies in the Schengen Area. It can only be used temporarily for tourists. If you intend to live, study, or work in Portugal for more than 90 days, you will need to apply for a visa. If you attempt to study, work or overstay in Portugal, your ETIAS Portugal could be cancelled. There are possible legal consequences.
To apply for Portugal ETIAS, do I need a passport?
Yes. Yes. Once the ETIAS electronic visa waiver system becomes mandatory, all citizens of Portugal ETIAS eligible nations (including Canada) will have to use a valid biometric passport to complete their applications. If your application is approved, your passport will be linked with it. Your passport should only be valid for two years. It shouldn’t expire more than three months after the date of your intended arrival. It should include:
- A printed photograph that hasn’t been glued to or affixed by any other means
- Machine readability
- An electronic passport chip. It is strongly recommended, even though it is not required.
Border officials may request additional documentation if your travel document is not up to standard.
How do I apply for Portugal ETIAS from Canada?
ETIAS applications take less time than other forms and procedures. Canadian citizens can apply online. A valid passport with biometric information is all that will be required during the application process. This document will be linked with your Portugal ETIAS. The application will include standard personal information, such as:
- Information about passports
- Full legal name
- Date of birth
- Citizenship details,
- Email address
- Telephone number
You will be asked a series of security questions about:
- Work experience,
- Education experience,
- Travel history
- The medical history
Evidence of criminal or terrorist activity.
Visitors and residents in the Schengen Area will feel safer and more secure if they are able to detect and stop potential threats before they leave. If the information is not clear, the reviewing agent may request additional information or documents. In rare cases, they may request an interview in person. The application process is usually straightforward and quick in most cases. Within 24 hours, you should receive an email confirming your approval.
ETIAS authorization doesn’t guarantee entry to Portugal and other Schengen Area countries. Portuguese border officials are the final authority and can ask for additional information or documents if required. They can refuse entry to countries if they believe you pose a threat to Schengen Area residents and visitors.
ETIAS authorizations do not replace or cover COVID-19 protocol documents. It is best to keep current with COVID-19 policies regarding Portugal and other countries that you plan to visit.
Can you apply for Portugal ETIAS even though you have a criminal record?
ETIAS is not yet publicly available, so it’s unclear what the process will look like for potential travellers with criminal records. This is what we know so far. All eligible countries must submit an ETIAS application online before they can attempt to enter Schengen. The process for travellers with criminal convictions is the same as for those who have not been charged with minor offences (like shoplifting and disorderly conduct). Even if they are charged with minor crimes (like shoplifting or loitering), the process for travellers with criminal records is similar to that for those without criminal records. This process may be different from that for applicants with no criminal records. It is unclear if the Portugal ETIAS application process will be available for travellers with criminal records or what restrictions may be in place for such tourists. For more information, you can contact our customer service department.
What will COVID-19 mean for travel to Portugal?
Each country has its own policies and guidelines regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. You should be familiar with the laws of Portugal and any other countries you plan to visit. ETIAS Portugal applications will not replace COVID-19 documents and won’t cover COVID-19-related standards. It is essential to review the policies at your destination and keep track of any changes. Visitors over 12 years must prove that they have received all approved vaccines. They also need to show proof of a negative PCR (taken 72 hours prior to departure) or an antigen test (taken within 48 hours of departure). Children under 12 years old are not eligible for COVID-19. Children under 12 years old are not eligible for COVID-19. It is a good idea to keep up-to-date with the policies of Portugal and other countries that you may visit during your trip.