ETIAS Portugal for British
ETIAS APPLICATIONBritish citizens will soon need an ETIAS visa waiver to visit Portugal. This page provides important information about the new European travel authorisation and how to apply online from the UK.
Requirements to enter Portugal from the UK
British citizens do not need a visa to visit Portugal, other countries in the Schengen area, for up to 90 days.
Just a valid British passport is required to cross the border for tourism and business.
Travellers from the United Kingdom will soon need to register online before going to Portugal: the European Travel Information and Authorisation System will go live in 2026.
ETIAS will be mandatory for British citizens entering the Schengen zone, made of 26 European countries.
The border-free travel zone includes Portugal and other Schengen destinations.
ETIAS will valid for:
- 3 years, or until the British passport expires (whichever is earlier)
- Multiple trips of up to 90 days per 180-day period
- Portugal and the other Schengen states
- Tourism, business, and transit
When will ETIAS be necessary to travel from the UK to Portugal?
ETIAS for UK Citizens travelling to Portugal will be launched in 2026. The visa waiver will become mandatory to enter the Schengen Area from the UK following a short implementation period.
When applications go live, UK citizens must register for the travel authorisation online before visiting Portugal on holiday or for business.
How to apply for an ETIAS for Portugal
UK nationals will apply for ETIAS online before travelling to Portugal. Applicants will need:
- Valid British passport
- Email address
- Credit or debit card
British citizens will fill out the electronic application form with basic personal details and passport information. They will also need to answer a few security questions.
The final step is to pay the processing fee by credit or debit card.
Travellers who meet the Portuguese ETIAS requirements for British will be granted a visa waiver. Applicants receive all notifications by email.
Travel to Portugal after Brexit
Rules for visiting Portugal and the rest of the European Union have changed for UK citizens since Brexit.
British visitors can still go to Portugal without a visa, but only for up to 90 days per 180-day period. Freedom of movement no longer applies.
UK passport holders are now subject to the same entry requirements as other third-country citizens, such as Australians and Americans. As a result, they will need to apply for ETIAS for Portugal from 2026.
Other ways travelling from the UK to Portugal has changed since Brexit include:
- British passports must be valid for at least 3 months after the date the traveller will leave the Schengen Area and be no more than 10 years old
- Passengers from the UK can no longer use EU exclusive border gates when entering Portugal
- Arrivals in Portugal from the United Kingdom could be asked for proof of funds or onward travel
- British citizens need a visa to work or stay in Portugal for more than 3 months
Travellers also need to understand changes to medical cover and mobile roaming charges.
British citizens should check all the latest rules and requirements before their trip to Portugal.
Information about Portugal
Portugal is a popular country for British tourists. Lisbon, the Portuguese capital, and Porto are 2 of the most visited cities.
The Algarve, the southern coastline of Portugal, is a favourite destination for tourists from the UK. The Algarve is known for its beaches and excellent climate.
The island of Madeira is another popular choice, offering beautiful scenery.
- Capital CityLisbon
- LanguagePortuguese
- CurrencyEuro
- Plug TypesTypes C and F
- Emerency Phone Number112
Recommended insurance to travel to Portugal
Travellers can use their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) until its expiry date.
The EHIC entitles British citizens to state-provided healthcare if they fall ill or have an accident during a trip to Portugal or another EU country.
Due to Brexit, expired EHIC cards will be replaced by the new Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC).
Neither of the cards is a substitute for travel insurance, however. UK citizens should take out insurance for Portugal that covers medical expenses.
British consular services in Portugal
The British Embassy in Lisbon provides consular services to British citizens living in Portugal or visiting the country. There is also a British Vice Consulate in Portimão.
British Embassy in Lisbon
Lisbon
Rua de São Bernardo 33, 1249-082 Lisboa, Portugal
British Vice Consulate in Portimao
Portimao
Edificio A Fábrica, Avenida Guanaré, 8501-915 Portimão, Portugal
Portuguese consular services in the United Kingdom
Portugal has 5 representations in the United Kingdom. British citizens can contact the offices for information about Portuguese residency and visas.
Portuguese Embassy in London
London
11 Belgrave Square, London, SW1X 8PP, United Kingdom
Portuguese Consulate General in Manchester
Manchester
1 Portland Street, second floor, Manchester, M13BE, United Kingdom
Portuguese Honorary Consulate in Belfast
Belfast
Mayfair Business Park, 193 Carvaghy Road, Portadown BT62 1HA, Northern Irelan, United Kingdom
Portuguese Honorary Consulate in Edinburgh
Edinburgh
37/3 William Street, Edinburgh EH3 7LW, United Kingdom
Portuguese Honorary Consulate in Jersey
Jersey
Burlington House, St. Saviours Road, St. Helier, Jersey JE2 4LA, United Kingdom
Major airports in Portugal
There are direct flights to Portugal from several UK cities, including Birmingham, London, Liverpool, and Newcastle.
ETIAS will be valid at all international airports in Portugal. The travel authorisation will be verified before crossing the border and entering the Schengen zone.
The most important airports in Portugal are:
Lisbon Airport (Humberto Delgado Airport)
Lisbon
LIS
Porto Airport (Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport)
Porto
OPO
Faro Airport (Algarve Airport)
Faro
FAO
Madeira Airport (Cristiano Ronaldo Airport)
Madeira
FNC
Ponta Delgada Airport
São Miguel Island
PDL