Portugal transit visa: when you need one

The common EU list of nationalities that need an airport transit visa covers Afghanistan, Bangladesh, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia and Sri Lanka, and Portugal adds Guinea, Senegal and Uzbekistan for its own airports. If your nationality is on neither list, you need no visa while you stay airside connecting in Lisbon, Porto or Faro.

As soon as you pass passport control into Portugal, for example to change terminals that require entry, to collect luggage on a separate ticket, or to spend a night in the city, you are entering the Schengen area and need a Schengen visa if your nationality requires one.

A Schengen transit visa allows travel through Schengen territory between two non-Schengen countries, for one or more transits of up to five days each. You must show the visa for your final destination if one is required, your onward ticket and enough money for the transit.

The fee is the standard EUR 90 (EUR 45 for children aged 6–11). Travel medical insurance of EUR 30,000 is required for a transit visa that lets you enter the territory; applicants for a pure airport transit visa are exempt from insurance.

As for other Schengen visas, apply at least 15 days before travel; decisions normally take up to 15 calendar days.

A refusal is notified with the reasons on the standard EU form. Under Portuguese administrative law you can file a complaint with the consulate that decided within 15 days, a hierarchical appeal to the Minister of Foreign Affairs within three months (lodged at the consulate), or a court action at the Administrative Court of Lisbon within three months. The routes can be combined.

Each appeal procedure costs EUR 75 in administrative fees. A new application with stronger documents is often faster than an appeal.