TL;DR
To get a Portugal Schengen visa from the UK you apply through VFS Global (London, Manchester or Edinburgh): book a VFS Global appointment, prepare your documents, and attend to give biometrics and submit. The €90 fee, 90/180-day rule and €30,000+ insurance are the same as every Schengen country.
| Portugal Schengen visa (from the UK) | 2026 |
|---|---|
| UK visa application centre | VFS Global |
| Application cities | London, Manchester, Edinburgh |
| Visa fee (adult) | €90 |
| Standard processing | 15 calendar days (up to 45) |
| Official portal | Portugal visa info ↗ |
How to apply
- Start on the official Portuguese visa portal to confirm the current process and forms.
- Book a VFS Global appointment in London, Manchester or Edinburgh.
- Prepare your documents — see the full Schengen document checklist.
- Attend your appointment to give biometrics (fingerprints + photo) and submit.
- Wait for the decision — standard processing is 15 calendar days, occasionally longer.
Why Portugal, and when to apply here
Apply to Portugal only if it's your main destination — where you'll spend the most nights — or your first entry if your trip is evenly split (see which country to apply to). Many UK travellers heading to Lisbon, Porto, the Algarve or Madeira and the Azores qualify here. If you'll mostly be in another country, apply to that one instead — applying to the wrong consulate is a frequent refusal reason.
A note on the Edinburgh centre
Portugal's Edinburgh centre operates as a satellite under the Manchester consulate. Applications lodged there are dispatched to VFS Manchester first, which can add roughly two days to the minimum processing time. If you're on a tight timeline, the London or Manchester centres may be slightly faster — see getting a Schengen appointment.
What you'll need
The standard Schengen document set: passport (issued within 10 years, valid 3+ months beyond your trip), the application form, a photo, proof of UK residence, travel and accommodation bookings, an itinerary, bank statements, €30,000+ travel insurance, and strong evidence you'll return to the UK. Weak UK-ties evidence is the leading reason these applications are refused.
Assemble it cleanly
- Checklist generator — your tailored document list
- Bundler and Compressor — assemble and size your file
Want a human to check it before your VFS Global appointment? See the done-for-you Schengen service. For the overview, see the Schengen visa from the UK hub.
Sources
Common questions
- 01
How do I apply for a Portugal Schengen visa from the UK?
Portugal's UK visa applications are handled by VFS Global, with centres in London, Manchester and Edinburgh. You book an appointment through VFS Global, prepare your documents, and attend to give biometrics and submit. You must be a legal UK resident to apply from the UK.
- 02
Who handles Portugal visa applications in the UK?
VFS Global is the official external service provider for Portuguese Schengen visas in the UK. The decision is made by the Portuguese consulate; VFS Global runs the application centre and biometrics in London, Manchester and Edinburgh.
- 03
How much is a Portugal Schengen visa from the UK?
The consulate fee is €90 for adults, €45 for children 6–12, and free for under-6s — the same as every Schengen country. VFS Global charges its own service fee on top, and you'll need travel insurance with at least €30,000 of cover.
- 04
How long does a Portugal Schengen visa take?
Standard processing is 15 calendar days, occasionally up to 45 if the consulate needs extra checks. Note that applications lodged in Edinburgh are first sent to Manchester, which adds a couple of days — factor that in if you apply there.
- 05
Should I apply to Portugal if I'm visiting several countries?
Only if Portugal is your main destination (where you'll spend the most nights), or your first point of entry if your time is split equally. Applying to Portugal when you'll spend most of the trip elsewhere is a common refusal reason.
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