If you are a Nigerian planning to travel to Portugal, you will need a Portugal visa before traveling. The type of Portugal visa you need depends on why you are traveling and how long you intend to stay. If you are traveling for a holiday, you may need a short-stay Schengen visa, but if you are traveling to study, work, or stay longer, you may need a national visa.
This guide explains Portugal visa requirements for Nigerian citizens, including visa types, fees, the appointment process, application steps, and processing time. It also covers the current situation with Portugal visa applications from Nigeria in 2026.
Key Takeaways
- Nigerian citizens must obtain a visa before travelling to Portugal, and a Schengen visa (Type C) allows you to stay for up to 90 days across all 29 Schengen countries.
- The key documents you will need are a valid passport, travel insurance, bank statements, proof of accommodation, and a completed visa application form to apply successfully.
- To apply for a Portugal visa, you have to download the visa application form from the VFS Global website, book an appointment, submit your documents, provide biometrics, and track your application status online while allowing 15 – 60 days for processing.
- The Portugal Schengen visa costs approximately €90 for adults, while a long-stay national visa (Type D) costs around €110, excluding VFS service charges.
Portugal visa requirements for Nigerian citizens
Understanding the Portugal visa requirements as a Nigerian is one of the most important parts of your application process.
|
Requirements |
What you need |
|
A valid passport |
A valid Nigerian international passport that meets the applicable validity and blank-page requirements. |
|
Visa application form |
A completed and signed Portugal visa application form. |
|
Passport photographs |
Your recent passport that meets the Portuguese visa specifications. |
|
Proof of travel purpose |
Documents proving your reason for travel. |
|
Proof of accommodation |
Have your hotel reservations or an invitation letter from a host. |
|
Proof of financial means |
Evidence that shows you have sufficient funds to support yourself during this trip. |
|
Travel medical insurance |
For a Schengen visa, travel insurance is required. |
|
Flight reservation |
Evidence of your intended travel arrangements. |
|
Proof of employment |
Depending on your visa type, you may need proof of employment. |
|
Civil documents |
Birth certificate, marriage certificate, and other civil documents. |
The required documents can change depending on the purpose and duration of your trip. Therefore, applicants should always check the checklist for their specific visa category before submitting an application.
Note: If you plan to travel to Portugal, check the latest information before making arrangements, as the Portugal visa application process in Nigeria is currently suspended.
Source: VFS Global
Types of Portugal Visa
The type of Portugal visa you should apply for depends on the purpose and length of your stay:
- Schengen Portugal Visa (Type C):
A Schengen visa (Type C) lets you stay up to 90 days within any 180-day period and is the most common visa type for Nigerians visiting Portugal. The Schengen Type C visa is broken down into:
- Visit visa
- Business visa
- Transit visa
- Portugal Residency Visas (Type D):
You will need a Portugal residency visa if you intend to stay long in Portugal. If you travel to Portugal with a residency visa, you will be required to apply for a residence permit once you arrive. The Portugal national visa is broken into:
- Work visa
- Study visa
- Family reunification visa
- Temporary stay visa (Type E)
This visa allows you to stay in Portugal for over 90 days, up to 1 year. The Portugal temporary visa is broken down into:
- Seasonal & Temporary Work visa
- Medical visa
- Digital Nomad (Short-Term) visa
- Study & Internship Visas (for internships and study between 3 -12 months)
How to Apply for a Portugal Visa From Nigeria
Step 1: Choose the Correct Visa Type
Start by identifying why you are traveling to Portugal and how long you intend to stay. For example, a tourist visiting for a short holiday will generally need a Schengen short-stay visa, while someone going to Portugal for long-term study may need a residence visa.
Step 2: Check the Requirements
Once you know the visa category, check the applicable document checklist. Do not rely solely on documents you find on blogs or social media because requirements can change and additional documents may be requested.
Step 3: Complete the Application Form
For a Portugal Schengen visa (Type C):
You can download the official Portugal Schengen visa application form as a PDF from the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs website or from the VFS Global Portugal visa page for Nigeria.
- For the Portugal national visa (Type E & D):
Complete the Portugal Visa application form PDF for a Portugal national visa carefully and make sure the information you fill out matches your supporting documents.
Step 4: Prepare Your Supporting Documents
Arrange your documents according to the applicable checklist. Make sure names, dates, travel plans, and other key information match across your application.
Step 5: Book an Appointment
Go to the Portugal visa application centre (VFS Global) website, create an account, and book an appointment for your visa interview and biometrics (fingerprints and photo).
Step 6: Attend Your Appointment
Attend your appointment at the VFS Visa Application Center; go with your supporting documents. You may also need to provide your fingerprints and photograph as part of the biometric process.
Step 7: Pay the Required Fees
You will be required to pay the applicable visa fee and any required VFS service charge when you submit your application.
Step 8: Track Your Application
After submission, keep your application reference or receipt so that you can check your Portugal visa application status online by inserting your reference number and date of birth.
How to Book a Portugal Visa Appointment in Nigeria
VFS Global is the official partner of the Embassy of Portugal in Nigeria for visa application services. Although Portugal has an embassy in Abuja, Portugal visa applications go through VFS Global. Here are the steps to book a Portugal visa appointment in Nigeria:
- Visit the official VFS Portugal Nigeria website
- Select your visa category.
- Follow the instructions for the application.
- Select the available appointment option.
- Provide the required information.
- Pay any VFS service fee.
- Save your appointment confirmation details.
- Attend the visa appointment at the center you choose.
Get your Portuguese visa fast
Portugal Visa Application Centers in Nigeria
VFS Global handles Portugal visa applications in Nigeria through its designated centers in Abuja and Lagos.
VFS Global Abuja
Sterling Bank Plaza, 3rd floor,
Plot 1083 Mohammadu Buhari Way,
Central District, Abuja, Nigeria.
VFS Global Lagos
Purple Lekki,
2 Purple Way, Freedom Way,
Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, Nigeria.
Portugal Visa Fees in Nigeria
One of the most common questions from applicants is: How much is the Portugal visa fee in Nigeria? Below are the current Portugal Schengen visa fees 2026 and Portugal national visa fees for 2026:
|
Visa type |
Applicants age |
Fee (EUR) |
Fee (NAIRA) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Short-stay Schengen visa (Type C) |
Adults (12+) |
€90 |
₦143,816.19 |
|
Short-stay Schengen visa (Type C) |
Children 6 to under 12 |
€45 |
₦71,100 |
|
Short-stay Schengen visa (Type C) |
Children under 6 |
Free |
Free |
|
National visa (temporary stay, residence, job search) |
All applicants above 6 |
€110 |
₦168,222.07 |
|
National visa |
Children under 6 |
Free |
Free |
NOTE: The prices in Naira vary due to exchange rates.
Who Is Exempt from Paying Portugal Visa Fees?
You may not have to pay the visa fee if you fall into one of these groups.
- Children below the age of 6 (National and Schengen)
- Descendants of residence permit holders, under family reunification clauses (National)
- Family members of EU, EEA and Swiss nationals, and of UK nationals under the Withdrawal Agreement (Schengen)
- Foreign nationals with a study scholarship granted by Portugal (National)
- School pupils, students, postgraduate students and accompanying teachers on study or educational training stays (Schengen)
- Researchers on highly qualified research activity, for residence and temporary stay visas (National), or travelling for scientific research (Schengen)
- Representatives of non-profit organisations aged 25 or under, attending seminars, conferences, or cultural and sports events organised by non-profits (Schengen)
- Patients and accompanying persons travelling under Portugal’s health cooperation agreements (National)
Note: Being exempt from the fee does not exempt you from needing a visa. You still have to apply and submit your documents. An external service provider may also charge a service fee.
How long does it take to get a Portugal visa?
How long it takes to get a Portuguese visa depends on the visa category and whether the Portuguese authorities need additional examination:
Schengen short-stay visa: Normally, this takes 15 days, and 45 days if your visa needs further examination.
Temporary stay visa: This takes up to 30 days depending on the category.
Residence visa: This takes up to 60 days, depending on the circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, according to the latest VFS Global notice, Portugal has temporarily halted the acceptance of new visas from Nigerian till further notice. When they start accepting applications again, we will update this article.
Once applications are accepted, processing time depends on the visa category. It ranges from 15 days to 60 days.
Whether a Portugal visa is easy to get from Nigeria depends on your documents, financial proof, and travel history. Applicants who provide complete and genuine documents have a higher chance of approval.
No. A Portuguese visa is not free for Nigerian citizens. Applicants must pay the required visa fees before their application is processed.
Conclusion
Applying for a Portugal visa from Nigeria starts with choosing the right visa category and preparing documents that clearly support the purpose of your trip. Whether you are visiting Portugal for tourism, study, work, or another permitted purpose, requirements and processing times can differ.
Take the first step today by putting together all the documents needed for your visa or contact a reliable travel agency to help you out.
