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ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

South African citizens require a visa to enter the Schengen territory, i.e. Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Slovakia, Slovenia, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Czech Republic, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

At which Embassy/Consulate/ Visa Issuing Authority should you apply? Read More

– If you intend to visit only one Schengen country, you must apply at the Embassy / Consulate / Visa Issuing Authority of that country.

– If you intend to visit several Schengen countries, you must apply for a visa at the Embassy / Consulate / Visa Issuing Authority that is your main destination (i.e. your longest stay).

– If you intend to visit several countries but do not have a main destination, you should apply for a visa at the Embassy / Consulate / Visa Issuing Authority of the country of your first point of entry. 

VISA INFORMATION

Basic Requirements

  1. Completed Application Form:
    • Fill out the “Common Schengen Application Form” in capital letters and sign it.
    • Downloadable from consular websites or available at consular offices.
  2. Passport:
    • Must be valid for at least 3 months beyond your last day in the Schengen area.
    • Issued within the last 10 years.
    • Must have two blank pages for the visa.
    • Note: Temporary South African passports are generally not accepted. Confirm their acceptability beforehand.
  3. Photographs:
    • Two recent colour passport-sized photographs.
  4. Residence Permit:
    • If not a South African citizen, provide a residence permit valid for at least 3 months beyond your last day in the Schengen area.
  5. Visa for Final Destination:
    • Obtain any required visa for your final destination before applying for a Schengen visa, if applicable.
  6. Visa Fee Payment:
    • Proof of payment for the visa fee.
  7. Travel Itinerary:
    • Round-trip reservation or itinerary showing entry and exit from the Schengen state, including dates and flight numbers.
    • Some consulates may require the original ticket upon visa collection (verify with the relevant consulate).
  8. Proof of Funds:
    • Evidence of sufficient financial means for your stay (e.g., a bank statement from the past three months).
    • The required amount varies by country—confirm with the consulate. Cash is not accepted as proof.
  9. Travel Insurance:
    • One-page document confirming Schengen Travel Medical Insurance with a minimum coverage of Euro 30,000 for medical expenses and repatriation, valid in all Schengen countries.
  10. Accommodation Proof:
    • Confirmed hotel reservation (hotel vouchers are not sufficient).
    • If staying with a relative or friend, provide an invitation letter from the host, a copy of their passport or ID, and possibly authentication by relevant authorities.
    • For prepaid tours, provide details and proof of payment to the tour operator.

  • Official business letter from a company in the Schengen area and a letter from your employer stating the purpose of the visit.
  • For conferences, provide proof of registration and payment.

  • Unabridged birth certificate.
  • If traveling alone, include certified parental consent from both parents.
  • If traveling with one parent, include notarized consent from the other parent.
  • If only one parent has guardianship, present relevant court documents.
  • Some consulates may require both parents to sign in their presence.

The consular office may request additional documents such as proof of employment or student status, or a personal interview.

Apply at least 15 calendar days before your intended visit but no earlier than 3 months before the start of your visit.

  • Short Stay Visa: Allows up to 90 days in a 6-month period.
  • Long Stay Visa: For stays exceeding 90 days, issued by member states based on national legislation.

  • All Visa Types (Transit and Short Stay): 60 Euros, payable in Rand.
  • Children Aged 6-12: 35 Euros, payable in Rand.
  • Note: Contact the relevant Embassy or Consulate for the current Euro/Rand exchange rate and payment methods.

VFS Global Visa Application Centres

  • Johannesburg:
    • Address: 1st Floor, Rivonia Village, Corner Rivonia Boulevard and Mutual Road, Sandton
    • Business Hours: Monday to Friday, 08:00 – 12:30 | 13:30 – 17:00
    • Submission Hours: Monday to Friday, 08:00 – 12:30 | 13:30 – 15:00
    • Passport Collection: Monday and Thursday, 10:00 – 12:30 | 13:30 – 16:00
  • Cape Town:
    • Address: 8th Floor, 2 Long Street
  • Durban:
    • Address: Unit 409, 4th Floor, 91-123 Cowey Road (Problem Mkhize), Essenwood
  • Pretoria:
    • Address: Brooklyn Pavilion, First Floor, 217 Bronkhorst Street (entrance on Tram Street), Nieuw Muckleneuk, Brooklyn
    • Phone: +27 12 425 3003 (Between 08:00 and 12:00, and 13:00 to 16:00, Monday to Friday only)

Embassy and Consulate Contact Information

  • Embassy Consular Section in Pretoria:
    • Address: 599 Leyds Street, Muckleneuk
    • Phone:
      • Consular Section: +27 12 346 4285 (Telephone assistance: working days, between 15:00 and 16:00)
      • General: +27 12 341 2340/1/2
    • Email: sconsular.pretoria@mne.pt
  • Consulate in Johannesburg:
    • Address: 15 Ernest Oppenheimer Boulevard, Bruma
    • Phone: +27 11 041 6008
    • Email: consulado.joanesburgo@mne.pt
  • Consulate in Cape Town:
    • Address: Standard Bank Centre, 10th Floor, Main Tower, Hertzog Boulevard
    • Phone: +27 21 418 0080
    • Email: consulado.cabo@mne.pt

WEATHER

  • Summer:
    • Hot and dry across Portugal, with coastal regions benefiting from cooling sea breezes.
    • Temperatures often exceed 30°C (86°F) in the south. Northern parts like Porto see temperatures around 25°C to 28°C (77°F to 82°F).
  • Winter:
    • Generally mild. In the south, temperatures range from 8°C to 15°C (46°F to 59°F).
    • Northern and mountainous regions experience cooler conditions with temperatures dropping to around 5°C to 10°C (41°F to 50°F) and occasional rainfall. Snow is rare but can occur in higher altitudes.
  • Best Times to Visit:
    • March to May and September to October, for pleasant weather and smaller tourist crowds.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Country: Portugal
Capital City: Lisbon
International Airports: – Faro Airport
– Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport – Porto
– João Paulo II Airport in Ponta Delgada – Azores
– Lisbon Portela Airport
– Madeira Airport
Area: 92,212 km²
Population: 10,223,349 (2024 est.)
Time Zone: GMT (Azores is GMT-1).
Daylight saving time is observed from late March to late October.
Religion: Majority Roman Catholic
Other communities include Protestant, Latter-day Saint, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, Christian Orthodox, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Baha’i, Buddhist, Jewish, and Spiritist.
Language: Official language: Portuguese
English is widely spoken in tourist and business areas.
Currency: Euro
Exchange Rate: Consult your local bank for current rates.
Credit Card Payment Availability: Visa, Mastercard, and American Express are widely accepted.
Petrol stations usually accept credit cards and cash.
ATM Accessibility: Easily accessible.
Dialling Code: +351

TRAVEL TIPS

Electricity: Voltage is typically 220V AC, 50Hz.
Some areas have 110V, and southern regions may use 230V DC.
Continental two-pin plugs are standard.
Water: Tap water is safe to drink in major cities.
In small villages, bottled water is recommended.
Business Hours: Post Offices: 09:00 – 18:00
Pharmacies: 09:00 – 19:00 (some close for lunch from 13:00 – 15:00), 09:00 – 13:00 on Saturdays
Shops: 09:00/10:00 – 19:00
Shopping Centres: 10:00 – 24:00
Banking Hours: 08:30 – 15:00.
Photography Restrictions: No general restrictions, but some museums or churches may prohibit photography. Look for notices clearly displayed.
Tipping: – Customary to tip waiters, porters, guides, and drivers.
– Service charge is usually not included unless specified in some upscale restaurants.
– For snacks at bars, bakeries, or cafés, a small amount of loose change is sufficient.
– Taxi drivers typically receive a 10% tip; petrol station attendants appreciate around €0.50.
Vaccination Requirements: No vaccinations required. Consult with your medical practitioner or travel clinic.
Dress Code Restrictions: No specific dress code restrictions.
Peculiar Customs to Observe: – Being a few minutes late is generally acceptable as Portuguese are often a bit late themselves.
– English speakers may be modest and hesitant, so they might wait to switch to English if they sense you’re struggling with Portuguese.

FESTIVALS

  • Carnival: February
  • Semana Santa/Holy Week: March-April
  • International Sand Sculpture Festival (Pera): March–August
  • Festa das Cruzes (Barcelos): May
  • Fátima Pilgrimage: 13 May
  • Santo Cristo dos Milagres (São Miguel, Azores): May
  • Serralves em Festa (Porto): June
  • Rock in Rio-Lisboa (Lisbon): June
  • Feast Day of St Anthony (Lisbon): June
  • Arraial Pride: June
  • Festa de São João (Porto): June
  • Sintra Music Festival: June–July
  • Festa do Colete Encarnado (Vila Franca de Xira): July
  • Festa da Nossa Senhora da Boa Viagem (Peniche): August
  • São Martinho: 11 November
  • New Year’s Eve: Madeira

MAP

“I have got two places I like to be. Portugal is one.”

– Cliff Richard