If you’re considering getting a second passport, and are searching for a strong passport without having to give up on your current one, then the Portugal passport is an excellent option for you. 

The Portuguese passport ranks 12th, based on its Enhanced Mobility Index in the Global Passport Index created by Global Citizen Solutions – and 31st in the overall Global Passport Index ranking. This makes it one of the most powerful passports in the world. With this excellent ranking, the Portuguese passport allows its holder to have visa-free travel to 174 countries in 2023.  

About the Global Passport Index

Passport rankings have typically focused on the number of countries that allow visa-free access, with those that allow easier mobility and great access ranking highly. However, we believe that this is an oversimplified approach and that there are other important benefits that are fundamental to consider when acquiring a second passport – such as investment opportunities and quality of life.

To create our Global Passport Index, quantitative data like composite indicators were used to analyze specific criteria that determine the attractiveness of a passport. The ranking is based on data from various institutions and multilateral organizations, such as the World Bank, the World Economic Forum, and the Sustainable Development Report, and was put together in collaboration with senior analysts.

visit visa free countries for Portugal passport holders

Once you’re a Portuguese passport holder, you will enjoy the same civil benefits as a Portuguese citizen, and you will have the right to live and work in any of the 27 European countries. 

With many options available to get a Portuguese passport, we would like to tell you more about the popular Golden Visa Program, one of the easiest options for expats to gain residency and, ultimately, citizenship.

Portugal Golden Visa: Program Overview

The Portugal Golden Visa Program has proven to be the most popular residency-by-investment program in Europe for our Global Passport Index. Expats are attracted to this program due to its flexibility, visa-free travel inside the Schengen Area, and the multitude of other benefits. 

The Portugal Golden Visa grants the opportunity for non-Eu citizens to get a Portuguese passport after at least five years of residency and by investing in the country.  You can get the Portugal Golden Visa through different available options, such as investments in real estate, investment funds, investment in a business and job creation, or transfer of capital to the country, plus through other means. 

Not only will you have the right to live and work in any European country when you have the Portugal Golden Visa but also your family members will be able to reap the benefits alongside you. The Portugal Golden Visa gives you the right as a resident and taxpayer to get a resident permit for your family members as well.

This family reunification includes spouses, legitimate children, children born outside marriage (despite their age), and parents of the main applicant and/or spouse. Each member will have his/her separate documents that confirm their residency in the country, which will allow them to move freely inside or outside Portugal, which will expand the travel opportunities for all the family members.

IMPORTANT UPDATE: PORTUGAL GOLDEN VISA – OCTOBER 2023

The Portugal Golden Visa program has recently undergone substantial changes. The new legislation is now in effect, and it’s crucial to note that real estate investments are no longer a valid qualifying option within the program. The Portugal Golden Visa Ultimate Guide offers more detailed information, including the several attractive investment routes that remain eligible investment options for the program.

Portugal Passport Visa-Free Countries List 2023

As previously mentioned, the Portuguese passport grants visa-free travel to 174 countries around the world, including the UK, United Arab Emirates, San Marino, and other travel destinations. It is also worth mentioning that the list of visa-free countries is calculated to reflect the number of countries Portugal passport holders can enter without a visa, through a visa on arrival, and through the electronic Travel Authorization (eTA).

In the table below, you will find up-to-date information on the visa-free countries that are accessible to Portuguese passport holders. In addition, the Portugal visa free countries table includes information about visa requirements for each destination country, such as which are visa on arrival countries, which require an electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), and even if the respective nation’s visa regulations requires a visa before arriving (electronic visa or physical).

Country Visa-free access Visa-on arrival

eTA

 Visa online Visa required Duration of stay
Afghanistan ✓
Albania ✓ 90 days
Algeria ✓
American Samoa ✓
Andorra ✓
Anguilla ✓
Antigua and Barbuda ✓ 180 days
Argentina ✓ 90 days
Armenia ✓ 180 days
Aruba ✓
Australia ✓ 90 days
Austria ✓
Azerbaijan ✓ 30 days
Bahamas ✓ 90 days
Bahrain ✓ ✓ 30 days
Bangladesh ✓ 30 days
Barbados ✓ 90 days
Belarus ✓ 30 days
Belgium ✓
Belize ✓
Benin ✓
Bhutan ✓
Bolivia ✓ 90 days
Bosnia and Herzegovina ✓ 90 days
Botswana ✓ 90 days
Brazil ✓ 90 days
Brunei ✓ 90 days
Bulgaria ✓
Burkina Faso ✓ 30 days
Burundi ✓ 30 days
Cambodia ✓ 30 days
Cameroon ✓
Canada ✓ 180 days
Cape Verde ✓ 30 days
Central African Republic ✓
Chad ✓
Chile ✓ 90 days
China ✓
Colombia ✓ 90 days
Comoros ✓ 45 days
Congo ✓
Congo (Dem. Rep.) ✓ 45 days
Cook Islands ✓
Costa Rica ✓ 90 days
Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) ✓
Croatia ✓
Cuba ✓ 30 days
Curacao ✓
Cyprus ✓
Czech Republic ✓
Denmark ✓
Djibouti ✓
Dominica ✓ 180 days
Dominican Republic ✓
Ecuador ✓ 90 days
Egypt ✓ ✓ 180 days
El Salvador ✓ 90 days
Equatorial Guinea ✓
Eritrea ✓
Estonia ✓
Eswatini ✓ 30 days
Ethiopia ✓ ✓
Falkland Islands ✓
Faroe Islands ✓
Fiji ✓ 120 days
Finland ✓
France ✓
French Guiana ✓
French Polynesia ✓
French West Indies ✓
Gabon ✓ ✓ 90 days
Gambia ✓ 90 days
Georgia ✓ 360 days
Germany ✓
Ghana ✓
Gibraltar ✓
Greece ✓
Greenland ✓
Grenada ✓ 90 days
Guam ✓
Guatemala ✓ 90 days
Guinea ✓ 90 days
Guinea-Bissau ✓ ✓ 90 days
Guyana ✓ 90 days
Haiti ✓ 90 days
Honduras ✓ 90 days
Hong Kong ✓ 90 days
Hungary ✓
Iceland ✓
India ✓ 30 days
Indonesia ✓ 30 days
Iran ✓ 30 days
Iraq ✓ 60 days
Ireland ✓
Israel ✓ 90 days
Italy ✓
Jamaica ✓ 30 days
Japan ✓ 90 days
Jordan ✓
Kazakhstan ✓ 30 days
Kenya ✓ 90 days
Kiribati ✓ 120 days
Kosovo ✓ 90 days
Kuwait ✓ 90 days
Kyrgyzstan ✓ 60 days
Laos ✓ ✓ 30 days
Latvia ✓
Lebanon ✓ 30 days
Lesotho ✓ 14 days
Liberia ✓
Libya ✓
Liechtenstein ✓
Lithuania ✓
Luxembourg ✓
Madagascar ✓ ✓ 90 days
Malawi ✓ ✓ 30 days
Malaysia ✓ 90 days
Maldives ✓ 30 days
Mali ✓
Malta ✓
Marshall Islands ✓
Mauritania ✓
Mauritius ✓ 90 days
Mayotte ✓
Mexico ✓ 180 days
Micronesia ✓
Moldova ✓ 90 days
Monaco ✓
Mongolia ✓ 30 days
Montenegro ✓ 90 days
Morocco ✓
Mozambique ✓ 30 days
Myanmar ✓
Namibia ✓ 90 days
Nauru ✓
Nepal ✓ 90 days
Netherlands ✓
New Caledonia ✓
New Zealand ✓ 90 days
Nicaragua ✓ 90 days
Niger ✓
Nigeria ✓
Niue ✓
Norfolk Island ✓
North Korea ✓
North Macedonia ✓ 90 days
Northern Mariana Islands ✓
Norway ✓
Oman ✓ ✓ 14 days
Pakistan ✓
Palau ✓ 90 days
Palestinian Territories ✓
Panama ✓ 180 days
Papua New Guinea ✓ ✓ 60 days
Paraguay ✓ 90 days
Peru ✓ 90 days
Philippines ✓ 30 days
Poland ✓
Puerto Rico ✓
Qatar ✓ 90 days
Reunion ✓
Romania ✓
Russia ✓
Rwanda ✓ ✓ 30 days
Saint Kitts and Nevis ✓ 90 days
Saint Lucia ✓ 90 days
Samoa ✓ 90 days
San Marino ✓
Sao Tome and Principe ✓ 15 days
Saudi Arabia ✓ ✓ 90 days
Senegal ✓ 90 days
Serbia ✓ 90 days
Seychelles ✓ 90 days
Sierra Leone ✓ 30 days
Singapore ✓ 90 days
Slovakia ✓
Slovenia ✓
Solomon Islands ✓
Somalia ✓ 30 days
South Africa ✓ 90 days
South Korea ✓ 60 days
South Sudan ✓
Spain ✓
Sri Lanka ✓ 30 days
St. Vincent and the Grenadines ✓ 30 days
Sudan ✓
Suriname ✓ 90 days
Sweden ✓
Switzerland ✓
Syria ✓
Taiwan ✓
Tajikistan ✓ 30 days
Tanzania ✓ ✓
Thailand ✓ 30 days
Timor-Leste ✓ 90 days
Togo ✓ 7 days
Tonga ✓
Trinidad and Tobago ✓ 90 days
Tunisia ✓ 90 days
Turkey ✓ 90 days
Turkmenistan ✓
Tuvalu ✓ 90 days
Uganda ✓
Ukraine ✓ 90 days
United Arab Emirates ✓ 90 days
United Kingdom ✓ 180 days
United States of America ✓ 90 days
Uruguay ✓ 90 days
Uzbekistan ✓ 30 days
Vanuatu ✓
Vatican City ✓
Venezuela ✓ 90 days
Vietnam ✓ 30 days
Yemen ✓
Zambia ✓ ✓ 90 days
Zimbabwe ✓ 90 days

Exploring Visa and Immigration Options for Portugal

If you're considering making the move to Portugal, it's essential to be informed about the various visa and residency options available. The Golden Visa Portugal program is an attractive option for many, offering residency to investors and their families. For those eyeing retirement in this beautiful country, the Retirement Visa (D7) is tailored for you. Digital nomads can take advantage of both short and long stay options with the Nomad Visa (D8). Meanwhile, the NHR - Non Habitual Tax regime provides significant tax benefits for new residents. 

For the entrepreneurial spirit, Portugal offers the Entrepreneurship/startup Visa (D2) - Start-up Visa (open company) tailored for those looking to establish their businesses in the country. Those with specialized skills can explore the Work visa for highly qualified employees (D3). Additionally, if you have Portuguese ancestry, you might be eligible for Citizenship by descent. 

However, moving to a new country isn't just about visas. If you're thinking of buying property, our guide on Buying Property in Portugal can offer invaluable insights. Dive deeper into the immigration process with our comprehensive Portugal immigration guide. For Americans specifically looking to relocate, we have curated information on Americans moving to Portugal. Lastly, one can't forget the importance of the NIF (Tax Registration Number), a crucial step in any relocation process. 

Why choose Global Citizen Solutions for your Immigration Visa?

GLOBAL APPROACH BY LOCAL EXPERTS

  • GCS has offices located across Portugal.
  • Members of the US-Portugal and UK-Portugal Chambers of Commerce in Portugal, and the Investment Migration Council (IMC).
  • Our expert team can help you throughout your journey to secure your Visa. 

100% APPROVAL RATE

  • Our successful track record in applications provides reassurance to applicants. 
  • We have helped clients from more than 35 countries secure residency in Portugal.

ALL-ENCOMPASSING SOLUTION

  • With a single channel of communication, our approach ensures that you have complete clarity on your application. 
  • Our BeGlobal® Onboarding System allows for a total flow of information.

TRANSPARENCY AND PRIVACY

  • Our pricing is clear and detailed, you will not face any hidden costs.
  • All data is stored within a GDPR-compliant database on a secure SSL-encrypted server.

Portugal Passport Visa-Free Countries in Brief

Portugal passport holders enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 174 travel destinations with easy entry requirements, making it one of the most powerful passports in the world. This means that Portuguese citizens can travel to these destinations without the need to apply for a regular visa in advance, saving time and hassle as there is no visa required.

Some of the popular visa-free destinations for Portugal nationals include:

European Union countries: Portugal is a member of the European Union, so its citizens can travel freely within the Schengen countries without a visa. This includes countries like France, Germany, Spain, Italy, and Greece.

South American countries: Portuguese citizens can enter several South American countries without a visa and stay visa-free for up to 90 days. These include the following countries: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Colombia.

Asian countries: Several Asian countries offer visa-free, electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), or visa-on-arrival access to Portuguese passport holders, including Japan, South Korea, and Singapore.

Oceanic countries: Portuguese citizens can travel visa-free to several Pacific countries. These include Australia and New Zealand, which both require an electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), and Fiji, which offers Portugal passport holders visa-free access for up to 120 days.

In addition to visa-free and visa-on-arrival travel, Portugal passport holders may also be eligible for electronic travel authorization (ETA) access in some countries with those visa requirements. You can apply for an eTA through a quick and easy online application. In the table of Portugal visa free countries, the above list offers a comprehensive guide on travel destination countries for Portugal passport holders with visa-required access and the duration of stays, in case you need to plan for extended stays.

Frequently asked questions about the Portuguese passport

How many countries can Portugal passport holders visit visa-free?

Once you have a Portuguese passport, you will have visa-free entry to 174 countries, showing that Portuguese citizenship has many significant mobility benefits.

More details can be found about Portugal’s performance in Global Citizen Solution’s Global Passport Index, which is found here. Once you get a Portuguese passport, you have excellent mobility, including free movement across the EU and Schengen area, and easy movement to the USA and Canada.

Do Portuguese passports need visas for the USA?

Despite their visa waiver policy, Portugal passport holders are required to have electronic visas as part of the entry requirements to visit the United States of America for a 90-day stay.

How is an electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) different from a regular visa?

An electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is an entry requirement for parties traveling from a visa-exempt country, Portuguese citizens, in the context of this article. Certain travel destinations, such as the ones indicated in the above list, use this document instead of a visa to screen travelers for visibility and security purposes. A visa or a travel visa is an official document that allows travelers to legally enter a foreign country. An e-visa is a digital version of the traditional visa. You can apply for an e-visa online and remotely in your country of residence or origin.

How can I get a passport in Portugal?

There are a number of ways to obtain a Portugal passport. You can either get a passport by marriage, a passport by descent, or a passport by investment through options like the Portugal Golden Visa program. Portugal also offers a wide selection of visa options and work permits you can apply for to obtain residency and start your journey towards Portuguese citizenship. These include: 

How can I apply for Portuguese citizenship?

After your arrival in Portugal and obtaining a residence permit, you need to spend five years in the country to apply for a permanent residence permit, after which you can finally apply for Portuguese citizenship.

You will also need to present the following necessary documents for your Portugal citizenship application:

  • Proof of A2 level in the Portuguese language
  • Clean health record
  • Criminal record certified by SEF
  • Portuguese residency evidence

Which countries can I travel to with a Portuguese passport?

Once you have a Portuguese passport, you have visa-free access to 174 countries. Without the need for regular visas, you will be able to travel visa-free to the destinations in the visa-free countries list above. This is with the exception of any travel destination country that requires a visa on arrival, an electronic Travel Authorization, or has temporary travel restrictions due to unforeseen circumstances. Additionally, you will have freedom of movement across the EU and other Schengen countries. The Portuguese passport benefits extend to Canada, the UK, and the USA, where these countries have easy mobility.