ETIAS Portugal: Travel Authorization to Visit Portugal
One of Europe’s most popular destinations thanks to its climate, cuisine, scenery, and affordable cost of living, Portugal set a record for airport traffic in 2025 with 73.75 million passengers. Starting with the launch of ETIAS in the fourth quarter of 2026, nationals of visa-exempt countries—Americans, British, Canadians, Brazilians, and about 60 other nationalities—will need to obtain an ETIAS authorization before any stay in Portugal. This authorization is valid throughout the Schengen Area: a single ETIAS is sufficient to visit Portugal and other European countries during the same trip.
Key Information About ETIAS for Portugal
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Fee | €20 per request (free for those under 18 and over 70) |
| Validity | 3 years or until the passport expires |
| Permitted stay | Maximum 90 days per 180-day period within the Schengen Area |
| Covered territory | Mainland Portugal, Madeira, the Azores, and the entire Schengen Area |
| Procedure | 100% online, no appointment or travel required |
| Processing time | A few minutes in most cases |
| Permitted reasons for travel | Tourism, business, transit — not for long-term work or study |
Who needs to obtain an ETIAS to visit Portugal?
ETIAS is mandatory for nationals of visa-exempt countries wishing to enter Portugal. This includes citizens of the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Brazil, Japan, South Korea, and some 60 other countries. Brazilians represent one of the largest communities in Portugal, and many travel regularly between the two countries—they will be directly affected by the ETIAS requirement.
European Union citizens do not need an ETIAS—they are entitled to freedom of movement. Check the full list of nationalities covered by ETIAS to verify your status. If your nationality requires a Schengen visa, you must apply for a standard visa rather than an ETIAS—see our page on the difference between ETIAS and the Schengen visa.
Border authorities in Portugal: the PSP and the 2023 reform
Portugal undertook a major overhaul of its border control services in 2023. The former SEF (Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras) —the Foreigners and Borders Service—was dissolved in October 2023 following a series of criticisms regarding its operations. Its responsibilities were redistributed among several agencies.
Since August 21, 2025, air border control has been handled by the new UNEF (National Unit for Foreigners and Borders), a specialized unit within the PSP (Public Security Police) —the national civilian police. With a staff of approximately 1,200 officers, the UNEF is responsible for international airports. Land and maritime borders, meanwhile, fall under the jurisdiction of the GNR (Guarda Nacional Republicana), the national gendarmerie.
| Organization | Role at the borders | Official link |
|---|---|---|
| PSP / UNEF | Border control at international airports (since August 2025) | psp.pt ↗ |
| GNR | Land and maritime borders | gnr.pt ↗ |
| AIMA | Agency for Integration, Migration, and Asylum (replaces SEF for residence permits) | aima.gov.pt ↗ |
| Official ETIAS Website (EU) | Official information and application form | travel-europe.europa.eu ↗ |
Upon entry into Portugal, PSP/UNEF officers will check your passport and verify the validity of your ETIAS authorization, which is stored electronically in European systems. No paper documents are required.
Major airports of entry into Portugal
The Portuguese airport network is managed by ANA – Aeroportos de Portugal, a subsidiary of the Vinci Airports group, which holds the concession for all Portuguese airports through 2062. In 2025, the national airports set a record with 73.75 million passengers, an increase of 4.7%.
| Airport | IATA code | Location | Traffic 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lisbon Humberto Delgado | LIS | 7 km north of downtown Lisbon | ~36 million passengers — main hub, 49% of domestic traffic |
| Porto Francisco Sá Carneiro | OPO | 11 km northwest of Porto | ~17 million passengers — 23% of domestic traffic, growing rapidly |
| Faro | FAO | 6 km west of Faro, Algarve | ~10 million passengers — gateway to the Algarve, very touristy |
| Funchal (Madeira) | FNC | Madeira Island | European and continental flights to the Madeira archipelago |
| Ponta Delgada (Azores) | PDL | São Miguel Island, Azores | Main aviation hub of the Azores archipelago |
Lisbon (LIS) is the main hub and base of TAP Air Portugal, which operates direct flights from New York, Miami, Boston, Toronto, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Luanda, Dakar, and many other intercontinental destinations. Lisbon’s geographic location makes it a natural entry point for travelers from North America and Brazil looking to reach Europe. Faro (FAO) is the preferred entry point for the Algarve, with highly seasonal traffic, mainly from the United Kingdom, Germany, and France.
Stopover in Lisbon: Do I need an ETIAS?
Lisbon Airport is a hub increasingly used by travelers from North America, South America, and Africa looking to reach other destinations in Europe. TAP Air Portugal offers numerous connecting flights to Europe from Lisbon for travelers coming from Brazil, the United States, or Portuguese-speaking countries in Africa.
If your layover in Lisbon involves passing through Schengen border controls —which is the case for most connecting flights—you must have a valid ETIAS authorization. This applies in particular to travelers who collect their luggage, change terminals via the public area, or whose ticket is issued by two different airlines. However, if you remain in the international transit area without crossing the Schengen border, ETIAS is not required for the connecting flight itself.
If in doubt, we strongly recommend obtaining an ETIAS authorization before any trip that includes a stopover in Portugal. Visit our page on transit in Europe and ETIAS for detailed information on the rules that apply to your itinerary.
The ETIAS for Portugal is valid throughout the Schengen Area
An ETIAS obtained for travel to Portugal is valid in all 30 countries of the Schengen Area. If your itinerary includes visits to both Portugal and Spain, a single authorization is sufficient—the two countries share the Iberian Peninsula and are often visited together. To learn more about all the requirements for traveling in Europe, check out our comprehensive guide.
Frequently Asked Questions About ETIAS for Portugal
Do Brazilians need an ETIAS to visit Portugal?
Yes. Brazilian citizens, who can currently enter Portugal without a visa for stays of less than 90 days, will be required to obtain an ETIAS authorization once the system is launched. This applies to all short-term tourist or private visits, regardless of how often they travel. The ETIAS will be valid for 3 years and will allow for multiple entries.
Do Americans need an ETIAS to visit Lisbon or Porto?
Yes. U.S. citizens, who can currently enter Portugal without a visa, will need to obtain an ETIAS authorization once the system launches. This applies to all tourist or business trips lasting less than 90 days. Visit our ETIAS page for U.S. citizens for full details.
Do you need an ETIAS to travel to Madeira or the Azores?
Yes. Although Madeira and the Azores are archipelagos located in the Atlantic, they are part of Portuguese territory and the Schengen Area. ETIAS is therefore required for eligible nationalities, whether traveling from mainland Portugal or directly from a third country.
Can I visit Spain using the same ETIAS authorization as for Portugal?
Yes. The ETIAS is valid in all 30 Schengen Area countries, including Portugal and Spain. An itinerary combining Lisbon, Porto, Seville, and Madrid requires only a single ETIAS, subject to the 90-day limit per 180-day period within the Schengen Area.
