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The Portuguese passport is one of the strongest travel documents in the world, with access to destinations in Europe, the Americas, Asia, Africa and Oceania.
Portuguese citizens can travel to many countries without needing a visa before traveling. Other destinations offer visas on arrival or require an electronic travel authorisation (eTA) or electronic visa (eVisa).
The following tables offer a practical summary of the entry requirements for holders of a Portuguese passport in 2026.
Last reviewed: October 2026. Entry requirements can change without notice. Travellers should always confirm the latest rules with the destination’s immigration authorities or the IATA Travel Centre before departure.
Visa-Free Countries for Portuguese Passport Holders
These destinations generally allow Portuguese passport holders to enter for short visits without obtaining a visa beforehand. Permitted stays vary by country, and some destinations require an arrival declaration or other administrative formality.
Europe
| Country | Country | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Albania | Andorra | Austria |
| Belgium | Bosnia and Herzegovina | Bulgaria |
| Croatia | Cyprus | Czech Republic |
| Denmark | Estonia | Finland |
| France | Germany | Greece |
| Hungary | Iceland | Ireland |
| Italy | Kosovo | Latvia |
| Liechtenstein | Lithuania | Luxembourg |
| Malta | Moldova | Monaco |
| Montenegro | Netherlands | North Macedonia |
| Norway | Poland | Romania |
| San Marino | Serbia | Slovakia |
| Slovenia | Spain | Sweden |
| Switzerland | Ukraine | Vatican City |
| Belarus |
Portuguese citizens are also entitled to European Union free movement rights. This means that travel to another EU country is not the same as regular visa-free tourism as Portuguese citizens are generally entitled to live and work there, subject to applicable registration requirements.
Americas and the Caribbean
| Country | Country | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Antigua and Barbuda | Argentina | Bahamas |
| Barbados | Belize | Bolivia |
| Brazil | Chile | Colombia |
| Costa Rica | Dominica | Dominican Republic |
| Ecuador | El Salvador | Grenada |
| Guatemala | Guyana | Haiti |
| Honduras | Jamaica | Mexico |
| Nicaragua | Panama | Paraguay |
| Peru | Saint Lucia | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines |
| Trinidad and Tobago | Uruguay | Venezuela |
Some countries require travelers to complete online arrival forms even when a visa is not required.
Asia and the Middle East
| Country or territory | Country or territory | Country or territory |
|---|---|---|
| Armenia | Brunei | China |
| Georgia | Hong Kong | Japan |
| Kazakhstan | Kyrgyzstan | Macao |
| Malaysia | Mongolia | Philippines |
| Singapore | South Korea | Taiwan |
| Tajikistan | Thailand | Timor-Leste |
| Turkey | United Arab Emirates | Uzbekistan |
Visa exemptions in some destinations, including China, may be subject to specific eligibility conditions or changes in government policy.
Africa
| Country | Country | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Angola | Botswana | Cape Verde |
| Eswatini | Gambia | Lesotho |
| Mauritius | Morocco | Senegal |
| South Africa | São Tomé and Príncipe | Tunisia |
| Zambia |
Some destinations, including Cape Verde, may require electronic pre-registration despite offering visa-free entry.
Oceania
| Country | Country | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Fiji | Kiribati | Marshall Islands |
| Micronesia | Palau | Samoa |
| Solomon Islands | Tonga | Tuvalu |
| Vanuatu |
The duration of visa-free stays varies significantly. For example, some destinations permit visits of only a few weeks, while others allow stays of three months or longer.
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Visa on Arrival Countries for Portuguese Passport Holders
A visa on arrival is permission for eligible travelers to enter a country at the airport of their destination, or at an authorized border crossing.
It is contingent upon the country but travelers may have to pay a fee, provide details of their accommodation or show that they have enough money.
| Country | Entry arrangement |
|---|---|
| Bangladesh | Visa on arrival |
| Comoros | Visa on arrival |
| Guinea-Bissau | Visa on arrival |
| Lebanon | Visa on arrival |
| Maldives | Visa on arrival |
Several additional countries offer visas on arrival alongside electronic visa systems.
| Country | Entry arrangement |
|---|---|
| Bahrain | eVisa or visa on arrival |
| Burundi | eVisa or visa on arrival |
| Cambodia | eVisa or visa on arrival |
| Djibouti | eVisa or visa on arrival |
| Egypt | eVisa or visa on arrival |
| Ethiopia | eVisa or visa on arrival, subject to entry conditions |
| Indonesia | eVisa or visa on arrival |
| Jordan | eVisa or visa on arrival |
| Kuwait | eVisa or visa on arrival |
| Madagascar | eVisa or visa on arrival |
| Malawi | eVisa or visa on arrival |
| Namibia | eVisa or visa on arrival |
| Nepal | eVisa or visa on arrival |
| Oman | eVisa or visa on arrival |
| Qatar | Electronic or on-arrival entry arrangements |
| Rwanda | eVisa or visa on arrival |
| Saudi Arabia | eVisa or visa on arrival |
| Sierra Leone | eVisa or visa on arrival |
| Tanzania | eVisa or visa on arrival |
| Zimbabwe | eVisa or visa on arrival |
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Countries Requiring an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA)
An electronic travel authorization is not usually classified as a traditional visa, but it must generally be obtained before traveling.
Portuguese passport holders may need an electronic authorization for the following destinations.
| Country | Electronic authorisation |
|---|---|
| Canada | eTA for eligible air travellers |
| Israel | ETA-IL |
| Kenya | Electronic Travel Authorisation |
| Mozambique | Electronic travel authorisation |
| New Zealand | NZeTA |
| Saint Kitts and Nevis | Electronic travel authorisation |
| Sri Lanka | Electronic Travel Authorisation |
| United Kingdom | ETA |
| United States | ESTA under the Visa Waiver Program |
For example, citizens of Portugal traveling to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program generally require an approved ESTA prior to travel. Some travelers need to get a visa instead. Eligibility restrictions apply.
An ETA is generally required for Portuguese citizens visiting the United Kingdom unless they are exempt.
Australia: An Important Distinction
Australia should not be classified simply as a visa-on-arrival destination.
Portuguese passport holders travelling for tourism may be eligible for the electronic eVisitor visa (subclass 651), which must be granted before travel.
Countries Requiring an eVisa
An eVisa is a visa obtained through an online application system before travelling.
Unlike a visa on arrival, travelers generally need to receive approval before departure.
| Country | Entry arrangement |
|---|---|
| Afghanistan | eVisa |
| Azerbaijan | eVisa |
| Benin | eVisa |
| Bhutan | eVisa |
| Burkina Faso | eVisa |
| Cameroon | eVisa |
| Chad | eVisa |
| Cuba | eVisa |
| Democratic Republic of the Congo | eVisa |
| Equatorial Guinea | eVisa |
| Gabon | eVisa |
| Ghana | Electronic visa arrangements |
| Guinea | eVisa |
| India | eVisa |
| Iran | eVisa |
| Iraq | eVisa |
| Laos | eVisa |
| Liberia | Electronic visa arrangements |
| Libya | eVisa |
| Mauritania | eVisa |
| Myanmar | eVisa |
| Nigeria | eVisa |
| Pakistan | eVisa |
| Russia | Unified electronic visa |
| Somalia | Electronic visa arrangements |
| South Sudan | eVisa |
| Togo | eVisa |
| Uganda | eVisa |
| Vietnam | eVisa |
The availability of an eVisa does not guarantee approval. Applications may require supporting documents, fees and advance processing time.
Countries Requiring a Visa in Advance
Despite the extensive travel freedom provided by a Portuguese passport, some destinations still require travelers to obtain a visa before departure.
Examples include:
| Country | Country |
|---|---|
| Algeria | Central African Republic |
| Eritrea | Mali |
| Nauru | Niger |
| North Korea | Republic of the Congo |
| Sudan | Turkmenistan |
| Yemen |
Other Entry Requirements to Consider
Not all travel formalities fall readily into the above categories.
Other countries may allow visa free entry, but may require travelers to fill an online arrival card, tourist registration or pre-enrolment.
They include Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, the Dominican Republic, Seychelles and Cape Verde.
Other destinations may ask for proof of onward travel, a minimum period of validity of your passport, travel insurance, accommodation details or evidence of sufficient funds.
Most of the visa waivers are also for tourism or short business visits. If you want to work, study or live somewhere for a long time you may need a different permit.
How Powerful Is the Portuguese Passport in 2026?
The Portuguese passport consistently ranks among the world’s strongest passports for international travel.
However, the number of accessible destinations depends on how each passport index counts visa-free travel, visas on arrival, electronic authorisations and territories.
For this reason, there is no single figure that describes every form of travel access.
Beyond international travel, Portuguese citizenship also provides the right to live and work in other European Union countries under EU free-movement rules.
If you are interested in obtaining Portuguese citizenship and applying for your first passport, read our guide on how to get a Portuguese passport.
Your Questions Answered
How many countries can Portuguese passport holders visit without a visa?
Portuguese passport holders can access a large number of destinations without obtaining a traditional visa in advance. The exact total depends on whether visas on arrival and electronic authorisations are included in the calculation.
Do Portuguese citizens need a visa for the United States?
Portuguese citizens may travel under the US Visa Waiver Program for eligible short visits, generally up to 90 days, provided they meet the requirements and obtain an approved ESTA. Travellers who are not eligible must apply for the appropriate visa.
Do Portuguese citizens need a visa for the United Kingdom?
Portuguese citizens do not usually require a traditional visitor visa for short visits of up to six months, but usually require an approved UK ETA before traveling unless exempt.
Do Portuguese citizens need a visa for Canada?
If you are a Canadian citizen flying to Canada, you will normally need an eTA and not a visitor visa unless you are exempt or eligible. Entry requirements for travel by land or sea differ.
Can Portuguese citizens live and work anywhere in the European Union?
European free-movement rules allow Portuguese citizens to travel to and work in other EU member states. Registration and other conditions may apply, particularly for longer stays.
Is an eVisa the same as an eTA?
No. An eVisa is an electronic visa, while an eTA is a travel authorisation used by certain countries for eligible visa-exempt travellers. Both may require approval before departure.
Do Portuguese citizens need a visa to travel within the Schengen Area?
No. Portuguese citizens do not require a visa to travel in the Schengen Area. They should nevertheless carry a valid passport or national identity card and comply with applicable identification requirements.
Can visa requirements change after booking a flight?
Yes. Countries can change visa exemptions, electronic authorisation requirements and entry conditions. Travellers should verify the latest rules shortly before departure.
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