Portugal is part of the Schengen Area, one can apply for the Portuguese Schengen Visa since 1995 when Portugal as an EU Country State also became a member state of the Schengen Area, along with 25 other European countries. These countries have established free travel within their borders and have a common visa, known as the Schengen Visa. This means that if you get a visa for any Schengen country, such as Portugal, you can travel to the other countries in the Schengen Agreement as well.

    If you want to visit Portugal for a short period of time (and you are from one of the visa-required countries) you will have to apply for a Portugal Schengen Visa. You can get a Portugal Schengen Visa for short-term visits, such as for tourism, business, family visit, etc.

If you want to go to Portugal for a longer period of time (e.g. if you will work or study there), then you need a Portugal National Visa. Depending on the purpose of your travel to Portugal, there are different types of visas that will apply to the occasion. Whether you are planning to go on a visit, study or work and reside in Portugal permanently, you will have to apply for a different Portuguese Schengen Visa, accordingly.