Up to 90 consecutive days, with a maximum of 90 days in any 180-day period.

🇵🇹Portugal

🇰🇷South KoreaPT-KR

Portugal to South Korea visa requirements

Q: Do Portuguese citizens need K-ETA in 2026?

No. Official Korean and Portuguese guidance says Portuguese citizens are temporarily exempt from K-ETA through Dec 31, 2026. Re-check k-eta.go.kr before travel in case the exemption changes.

Q: What do I do instead of K-ETA?

If you enter without a valid K-ETA, use Korea's free e-Arrival Card online within 3 days before arrival, or complete the paper arrival declaration where offered.

Q: Can I still apply for K-ETA voluntarily?

Yes. Exempt travellers may apply voluntarily if they want K-ETA benefits such as exemption from arrival-card filing; the KRW 10,000 fee applies and is non-refundable.

Q: Are there direct flights from Portugal to Korea?

Korean Air lists Lisbon-Seoul services in 2026. Confirm the current nonstop or connection schedule with the airline before booking.

Q: Can I work on visa-free entry?

No. Paid work, long-term study, residence, and stays beyond the visa-free allowance require the correct visa. Portuguese working-holiday applicants are listed by Korea's Working Holiday Info Center as ages 18-34, subject to quota and embassy rules.

Portuguese ordinary passport holders can visit South Korea visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Portugal is temporarily exempt from K-ETA through Dec 31, 2026; use the free e-Arrival Card unless you voluntarily hold K-ETA. Portuguese ordinary passport holders do not need a consular visa for tourism, visits, events, meetings, or other non-remunerated short stays in South Korea. The official K-ETA portal lists Portugal with an allowed stay of 90 consecutive days, not exceeding 90 days in any 180-day period. Korea's Ministry of Justice extended the temporary K-ETA exemption through Dec 31, 2026, and both the Korean Embassy in Portugal and Portugal's travel-advice portal state that Portuguese citizens remain K-ETA-exempt through the end of 2026. Travellers entering without K-ETA should use Korea's free e-Arrival Card online within 3 days before arrival, or complete the arrival declaration on paper where offered; valid K-ETA holders are excluded from e-Arrival Card declaration. A voluntary K-ETA remains possible for travellers who want that arrival-card exemption: it costs KRW 10,000 plus any online payment fee and is valid up to 3 years or passport expiry. Korean Air lists Lisbon-Seoul services in 2026; confirm schedules before booking. Work, study, paid activity, or stays beyond the visa-free limit require the appropriate visa from the Korean Embassy in Lisbon.

VISA-FREETOURISMMULTIPLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-06-20

For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.

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/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-06-20

Visa type

Visa-free; K-ETA temporarily exempt through Dec 31, 2026

Maximum stay

Up to 90 consecutive days, maximum 90 days in any 180-day period

per entry

Entries

Multiple short entries allowed within the 90/180-day limit

from issue date

Visa fee

No visa or K-ETA fee during the exemption; optional K-ETA costs KRW 10,000 plus payment fee

consular fee only

Processing time

Free e-Arrival Card can be submitted online within 3 days before arrival; optional K-ETA usually within 72 hours

standard track

Validity

K-ETA exemption runs through Dec 31, 2026; optional K-ETA valid up to 3 years or passport expiry

from issue date

/02 — The process

How to apply

/01

Confirm passport and stay limit

Travel on a Portuguese ordinary passport valid for the visit. Keep the trip within 90 consecutive days and 90 days in any 180-day period.

· 90/180-day limit

/02

Verify the K-ETA exemption

Portugal is listed by the Korean Embassy in Portugal and Portuguese government travel advice as K-ETA-exempt through the end of 2026. Re-check k-eta.go.kr close to departure.

· K-ETA exempt until 2026-12-31

/03

Complete the arrival declaration

If you do not hold a valid K-ETA, submit the free e-Arrival Card online within 3 days before arrival, or use the paper arrival declaration where offered at the airport.

· free e-Arrival Card

/04

Carry support documents

Have a return or onward ticket, accommodation address, and evidence of funds ready in case immigration asks.

· return ticket· accommodation

/05

Enter Korea

At the border, present your passport and either a valid K-ETA or the required arrival declaration. Final admission is decided by Korean immigration.

· border inspection

/06

Use the right visa for other purposes

Do not work, study long-term, or overstay on visa-free entry. Apply through the Korean Embassy in Lisbon for paid work, study, working holiday, or longer stays.

· visa for work/study

/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

11 items

Personalized checklist

Portugal -> South Korea · Visa-free; K-ETA temporarily exempt through Dec 31, 2026

0 / 11 complete

Visa typeTravel date

Deadline reminderAdd a date before export

RecommendedPortuguese ordinary passport

Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route

Valid for the stay; a 6-month buffer is recommended for airline checks

RequiredK-ETA status checked

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

Portuguese citizens are temporarily exempt through Dec 31, 2026

Conditionale-Arrival Card or valid K-ETA

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

Free e-Arrival Card if entering without K-ETA; valid K-ETA holders are excluded

RequiredReturn or onward ticket

Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates

Travel out of Korea within the 90/180-day limit

RequiredAccommodation details

Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates

Hotel booking or host address in Korea

ConditionalSufficient funds

Bank, income, or asset proof with clear name, date, and balances

Bank card, cash, or statements if asked

RecommendedTravel insurance

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

Recommended; medical costs are private/public mixed

RequiredPurpose within visa-free rules

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

Tourism, visits, events, meetings, or non-remunerated short business only

ConditionalOfficial application form or online application

Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed

Visa-free routes usually do not require a visa form; submit any arrival card or authorization if required.

RequiredFlight and hotel itinerary

Confirmed or agency-arranged itinerary when the route guide requires it

Use dates that fit the allowed stay and visa validity.

RecommendedTravel medical insurance

Policy certificate showing traveler name, destination, and coverage dates

Some destinations or agencies require it even when the core visa rule only recommends it.

Official sourcesK-ETA Official Portal - Eligible Countries / Applicants, accessed 2026-06-20 K-ETA Official Portal - Notice on Extension of K-ETA Temporary Exemption, published 2025-12-23, accessed 2026-06-20 Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Portugal - Isenção da K-ETA aos cidadãos portugueses, published 2026-01-02, updated 2026-03-03, accessed 2026-06-20

Application link included: K-ETA Official Portal - Eligible Countries / Applicants, accessed 2026-06-20

Open link

/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate

Line itemAmountSource

Visa-free entryKRW 0Portuguese passport holders do not need a tourist visa for the permitted short stay

e-Arrival CardKRW 0Free online arrival declaration when entering without a valid K-ETA

Optional K-ETAKRW 10,000 + payment feeOptional during the 2026 exemption if you want K-ETA benefits such as arrival-card exemption

Working Holiday (H-1) or other long-stay visaVariesPortuguese working-holiday applicants are listed as ages 18-34 with a 200-person quota; confirm current fees with the embassy

Overstay or illegal-work sanctionsVariesPortuguese travel advice warns of fines, removal, and possible re-entry bans for irregular stay or work

Total estimateKRW 0 — KRW 10,000+ if choosing optional K-ETAincl. all

/05 — The wait

Processing time

Verify K-ETA exemption

Same day

Check the official K-ETA portal and Korean Embassy in Portugal notice before travel.

e-Arrival Card

Within 3 days before arrival

Free online declaration at e-arrivalcard.go.kr; paper declaration may be available at arrival.

Optional K-ETA

Usually within 72 hours

Voluntary during the exemption; useful if you want to avoid repeated arrival-card declarations.

Consular visa

Varies by category

Required for work, study, paid activity, or stays beyond the visa-free allowance.

/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency

/01

K-ETA exemption misunderstood

Portuguese citizens do not need K-ETA through Dec 31, 2026, but should still complete the arrival declaration unless holding a valid K-ETA.

Medium

/02

Arrival declaration omitted

Travellers entering without K-ETA are still subject to Korea's arrival-card rules.

Medium

/03

90/180-day limit exceeded

Portugal's listed allowance is 90 consecutive days, not exceeding 90 days in any 180-day period.

Low

/04

Purpose outside visa-free rules

Paid work, long study, and residence require an appropriate visa even if short tourism is visa-free.

Low

/05

Insufficient travel evidence

Immigration may ask for onward travel, accommodation, or funds evidence.

Low

/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01

Immigration

Carry your visa grant notice or visa-free group documents, hotel address, and return ticket. Entry remains at the border officer's discretion.

/02

Arrival forms

Complete any current arrival, health, or customs declaration required by your airline or Korean immigration before inspection.

/03

Connectivity

Airport SIMs, eSIMs, and transport cards are easy to buy at Incheon, Gimpo, Busan, and major convenience stores.

/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024

2026-06-20

Reviewed by Claude Code

Second-pass review: re-verified the evidence chain against official sources; key facts confirmed and checked-date refreshed.

2026-06-20 · major

PT to South Korea facts corrected

Confirmed Portuguese passport holders remain visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period and are K-ETA-exempt through Dec 31, 2026; replaced stale 'K-ETA required' guidance with e-Arrival Card and optional K-ETA handling, and corrected Lisbon-Seoul service plus working-holiday notes.

2026-05-27

Portugal to South Korea route verified

Earlier check confirmed visa-free short-stay access but overstated K-ETA as required for Portuguese citizens in 2026.

2021-09-01 · major

K-ETA introduced

South Korea launched K-ETA for visa-free travellers; later temporary exemptions affect whether a nationality must apply.

/09 — The questions