Updated: April 3, 2026

The Portuguese passport ranks 28th in the Global Citizen Solutions (GCS) Global Passport Index, 12th in both the Quality of Life and Enhanced Mobility Index, making it one of the most sought-after passports for visa-on-arrival and visa-free access.

The Portugal passport provides visa-free entry to 187 countries, which includes the Schengen zone and most EU countries. Portuguese citizens can travel to many countries with only their ID card. They can also get visas upon arrival in certain countries, while some destinations permit entry without a visa for a limited period.

In this comprehensive guide to Portugal passport visa-free countries, you can find a full list of where you can travel as a Portuguese passport holder. We also included the benefits and the ways to obtain this passport.

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Portugal Passport Visa Free Countries: Key Takeaways

  • A Portuguese passport provides visa-free entry to 187 countries in total, covering all Schengen Area nations and the majority of EU countries.
  • According to the GCS Global Passport Index, Portugal takes the 28th spot, 60th in the Investment Index, and 12th for both Quality of Living and Enhanced Mobility Index.
  • Portuguese passport holders have visa-free access to popular countries like Malta, Germany, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.
  • Every country sets its own travel rules. Some will ask you to bring extra documents, like an invitation letter, proof of your job, or a health certificate. In some cases, you’ll also need to show that you have enough money to cover your stay.
  • Keep in mind that visa rules can change at any time, so always check the latest travel updates before you book your trip.

Portuguese Passport Visa-Free Countries: List for 2026

Portuguese citizens can enter the following countries without a visa, only with their passport. The table below provides a list of the Portuguese passport visa-free countries:

Angola Guyana Paraguay
Albania Honduras Qatar
United Arab Emirates Haiti Senegal
Argentina Israel Singapore
Armenia Jamaica Solomon Islands
Antigua and Barbuda Japan El Salvador
Bahamas Kazakhstan Serbia
Bosnia and Herzegovina Kyrgyzstan Sao Tome and Principe
Belarus Kiribati Suriname
Belize Saint Kitts and Nevis Eswatini
Bolivia, Plurinational State of Saint Lucia Seychelles
Brazil Lesotho Thailand
Barbados Morocco Tajikistan
Brunei Darussalam Moldova, Republic of Timor-Leste
Botswana Mexico Tonga
Chile Marshall Islands Trinidad and Tobago
Colombia North Macedonia Tunisia
Cabo Verde Montenegro Turkey
Costa Rica Mongolia Tuvalu
Dominica Mozambique Ukraine
Dominican Republic Mauritius Uruguay
Ecuador Malawi United States
Fiji Malaysia Uzbekistan
Micronesia, Federated States of Namibia Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
United Kingdom Nicaragua Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of
Georgia Panama Vanuatu
Gambia Peru Samoa
Grenada Philippines South Africa
Guatemala Palau Zambia

Passport-Free Countries for Portugal Passport Holders

Portuguese citizens can enter the following countries with their Cartão de Cidadão (Citizen Card):

Andorra Greece Monaco
Austria Hong Kong Malta
Belgium Croatia Netherlands
Bulgaria Hungary Norway
Switzerland Ireland Poland
Cyprus Iceland Palestine, State of
Czechia Italy Romania
Germany Kosovo San Marino
Denmark Liechtenstein Slovakia
Spain Lithuania Slovenia
Estonia Luxembourg Sweden
Finland Latvia Taiwan, Province of China
France Macao Holy See (Vatican City State)

Countries with Limited Access for Portuguese Citizens

For Portuguese passport holders, some countries are not fully open to visa-free or visa-on-arrival access. Instead, they offer restricted or conditional access, which can vary for each country. These countries include:

Angola Guyana Paraguay
Albania Honduras Qatar
United Arab Emirates Haiti Senegal
Argentina Israel Singapore
Armenia Jamaica Solomon Islands
Antigua and Barbuda Japan El Salvador
Bahamas Kazakhstan Serbia
Bosnia and Herzegovina Kyrgyzstan Sao Tome and Principe
Belarus Kiribati Suriname
Belize Saint Kitts and Nevis Eswatini
Bolivia, Plurinational State of Saint Lucia Seychelles
Brazil Lesotho Thailand
Barbados Morocco Tajikistan
Brunei Darussalam Moldova, Republic of Timor-Leste
Botswana Mexico Tonga
Chile Marshall Islands Trinidad and Tobago
Colombia North Macedonia Tunisia
Cabo Verde Montenegro Turkey
Costa Rica Mongolia Tuvalu
Dominica Mozambique Ukraine
Dominican Republic Mauritius Uruguay
Ecuador Malawi United States
Fiji Malaysia Uzbekistan
Micronesia, Federated States of Namibia Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
United Kingdom Nicaragua Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of
Georgia Panama Vanuatu
Gambia Peru Samoa
Grenada Philippines South Africa
Guatemala Palau Zambia

Visa on Arrival Countries for Portugal Passport Holders

The table shows countries where Portuguese passport holders don’t need to get a visa in advance; instead, they can obtain a visa when they arrive at the airport or border:

Burundi Indonesia Maldives
Bangladesh Iraq Mauritania
Comoros Lebanon Somalia
Guinea-Bissau Madagascar Zimbabwe

eTA Countries for Portugal Passport Holders

Here is a list of countries that allow Portuguese passport holders to enter with an eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization):

Australia Cuba New Zealand
Canada Kenya South Korea

Portugal Passport Ranking (2025–2026)

Based on the Global Citizen Solutions (GCS), Global Passport Index, Portugal ranks 28th, offering superior global mobility, quality of life, and investment opportunities than a Polish passport (30th), South Korean passport (34th), and Croatian passport (40th).

Here is the latest Portuguese passport ranking based on the GCS Global Passport Index:

Country

Global Passport Index (GSC)

Enhanced Mobility Index

Investment Index

Quality of Life Index

Portugal

28th

12th

60th

12th

Countries that Require an eVisa for Portugal Passport Holders

The table shows countries where Portuguese passport holders can enter with an electronic visa (eVisa) instead of a traditional visa:

Azerbaijan Equatorial Guinea Oman
Benin India Pakistan
Burkina Faso Iran, Islamic Republic of Papua New Guinea
Bahrain Jordan Russian Federation
Bhutan Cambodia Rwanda
Côte d'Ivoire Kuwait Saudi Arabia
Cameroon Lao People's Democratic Republic Sierra Leone
Congo, The Democratic Republic of the Libya South Sudan
Djibouti Sri Lanka Togo
Egypt Myanmar Tanzania, United Republic of
Ethiopia Nigeria Uganda
Gabon Nepal Viet Nam
Guinea

Countries with Visa Requirements for Portugal Passport Holders

Here is a list of countries that require Portuguese passport holders to apply for a traditional visa:

Afghanistan Ghana Sudan
Central African Republic Liberia Syrian Arab Republic
China Mali Chad
Congo Niger Turkmenistan
Algeria Nauru Yemen
Eritrea Korea, Democratic People's Republic of

As a Portuguese citizen, you can travel freely across the Schengen countries and most of the European Union. According to our partners at Global Citizen Solutions (GCS), there are a total of 187 visa-free countries for Portugal passport holders.

Portugal may still have room to grow in investment opportunities, but it already ranks among the world’s top countries for quality of life and travel freedom. Portugal citizens enjoy easy movement around the world.

Europe: As an EU member, Portugal lets its citizens travel freely across most EU and Schengen countries without a visa or passport. You can visit countries like France, Germany, Spain, Italy, and Greece, and you also have the right to live in any EU nation.

The Americas: Portuguese passport holders can explore most countries in the Americas without a visa. Popular destinations include Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Colombia. For Canada and the United States, entry is simple with an electronic travel authorization (eTA).

Asia: Many Asian countries welcome Portuguese travelers with visa free travel, visa-on-arrival, eVisas, or eTAs. For example, you can travel to Singapore, Japan, and the United Arab Emirates.

Oceania: Entry to Australia and New Zealand requires an electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), but as a Portuguese citizen, you can travel there very easily. Other Pacific destinations that allow visa free travel include Fiji, the Marshall Islands, and American Samoa.

Benefits of Portuguese Passport

Here is a list of some of the advantages of a Portuguese passport:

Access to Portuguese passport visa-free countries

Some countries let Portuguese citizens enter without showing a passport thanks to special bilateral agreements. This includes most European Union and Schengen countries, as well as select non-EU nations like San Marino and Hong Kong.

Freedom within the EU

Being part of the European Union gives Portugal citizens the freedom to move, live, or stay long-term in other EU countries without needing a residence permit. EU membership also opens doors to social services, healthcare, and educational opportunities across member states.

High Quality of Life

Living in Portugal offers a mild Mediterranean climate, stunning landscapes, a coastal lifestyle, and affordability. Portuguese cities and towns are known for their welcoming, friendly communities, and the country offers a lower cost of living than many Western European nations.

Portugal’s quality of life emphasizes a healthy work-life balance, making it especially appealing for newcomers, including Americans. The nation also provides high-quality healthcare and education, which contribute to a safe, fulfilling, and comfortable lifestyle for its residents.

Discover how to get a Portuguese passport in our full guide

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How to Get a Portugal Passport

To gain EU citizenship, non-EU citizens need Portuguese residency through one of its many immigration options, such as the Portugal Golden Visa, D8 (Digital Nomad Visa), or the D7 (Retirement or Passive Income Visa), among others. 

The main pathways to citizenship in Portugal are:

  • By naturalization: Maintain residency in Portugal for five years
  • Through marriage: Be married to a Portuguese citizen for three years and prove a genuine connection to the Portuguese community 
  • By descent: You may be eligible for Portuguese citizenship by descent if a parent or grandparent (or, possibly, a great-grandparent) was born in Portugal. You’ll need documents proving your parental lineage, like a birth certificate.
  • By investment: Invest in Portugal via the Golden Visa and apply for Portugal citizenship by naturalization after five years

Portugal passport by investment

One of the more popular pathways to Portuguese citizenship is through the Portugal Golden Visa program. This residency-by-investment program allows investors and their family members to live, work, and study in Portugal and provides free movement within Europe’s Schengen Area. 

Although Portugal Golden Visa holders do not automatically gain citizenship, if you maintain the visa for five years, you will be eligible to apply for citizenship by naturalization. 

The current investment program options are:

  • Investment fund subscription: Contribute to qualified venture capital funds worth at least €500,000
  • Investment or donation in the arts or reconstruction of national heritage with a minimum investment of at least €250,000
  • Scientific Research: Science or technology research, with a minimum investment of at least €500,000
  • Creation of ten jobs: Creation and maintenance of ten jobs during the required period
  • Share capital and job creation: Incorporation of a company or reinforcement of a company’s share capital, in either case with an investment of €500,000, combined with the creation of five or maintaining ten jobs (five of them permanent)

There was talk of the Portugal Golden Visa ending in 2023. However, the program did not end and remains as strong as ever. There were a few changes; however, the real estate and capital transfer pathways are no longer eligible investment options.

Goldcrest: How We Can Help You 

Goldcrest is a buyer’s agent that is based in Lisbon. We provide expert, impartial advice on real estate investments and how to buy property in Portugal. From scouting out the perfect property through to property acquisition, we have you covered throughout the process.

If you are looking to purchase property in Portugal, don’t hesitate to get in touch. Our team of skilled experts is available to solve all your real estate doubts, helping you with the property search and offering insightful expertise and strategic advice.

Why choose Goldcrest?

  • Local knowledge: With offices located across Portugal, our presence nationwide allows us to assist you personally across the country.
  • Independent service: As an independent buying agent, we do not represent any development or project. Our service is entirely tailored toward each individual client, providing you with everything you need to secure the perfect property at the best possible price. As an impartial advisor on the market, we work solely on behalf of our client and provide a service tailored to your needs and requirements.
  • Streamlined process: Our real estate agents speak English and Portuguese, and our service is completely focused on providing you with a hassle-free buying experience, saving you time.
  • Experienced team: Our expert real estate team has a vast local knowledge of the Portuguese property market. We have cutting-edge technology and metasearch tools at your disposal to provide full market coverage, ensuring the best investment choices and negotiated prices.
  • Network of partners: We have a close network of partners, including lawyers, property management services, builders, architects, designers, and landscape gardeners, again saving you time and hassle by providing you with trusted experts in their field of work.

Frequently Asked Questions about Portugal Passport Visa Free Countries

Yes, the Portuguese passport is considered strong. It ranks 28th globally on the Global Passport Index and offers enhanced mobility to its holders. Portugal enjoys access to 187 destinations via visa-free entry, eVisa, visa-on-arrival, or Electronic Travel Authorization, removing the need to apply for a regular visa for numerous countries worldwide.

No, Portuguese citizens do not need a traditional visa for the USA for short visits (up to 90 days) for tourism, business, or transit purposes. They need to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) under the Visa Waiver Agreements (VWP) prior to travel.

Portugal passport visa-free countries include 187 destinations (including visa-free entry, eVisa, visa-on-arrival, or Electronic Travel Authorization).

Permanent residents of Portugal can travel visa free to all EU countries, as well as EU microstates, EU territories, and non-EU countries, including Monaco, San Marino, Serbia, North Macedonia, Turkey, and the Dutch and French Caribbean.

No, Portuguese citizens do not need a visa for Serbia. They have visa-free travel privileges.