Yes — a Vietnamese ordinary passport holder needs a Schengen short-stay (Type C) visa to visit Portugal for tourism. Vietnam is a visa-required nationality for the Schengen Area; ETIAS does not apply to Vietnam. Portugal is a member of the Schengen Area, and Vietnam is listed in Annex I of EU Regulation 2018/1806 (visa-required nationalities). A Vietnamese ordinary passport holder must therefore obtain a Schengen short-stay (Type C) visa before traveling to Portugal for tourism. The visa allows stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period across the whole Schengen Area. Applications for Portugal are lodged in Vietnam through the official partner VFS Global (Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City) on behalf of the Portuguese consular section. The standard adult visa fee is EUR 90 (since June 2024), plus a VFS service fee. Applicants must show travel medical insurance of at least EUR 30,000, a confirmed round-trip itinerary, accommodation, and proof of sufficient funds. Standard processing is about 15 calendar days but can extend to 30-45 days in peak season. Note: the upcoming EU ETIAS travel authorization (expected late 2026) applies only to visa-EXEMPT nationalities and does NOT cover Vietnam — Vietnamese travelers continue to need a full Schengen visa.
VISA REQUIREDTOURISMFLEXIBLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-05-30
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.
Schengen short-stay visa (Type C / Uniform Schengen Visa)
Maximum stay
Up to 90 days within any 180-day period
per entry
Entries
Single, double or multiple (as granted)
from issue date
Visa fee
EUR 90 (adult) + VFS service fee
consular fee only
Processing time
~15 calendar days (up to 30-45 in peak season)
standard track
Validity
Tied to travel dates; multiple-entry visas may be valid up to 5 years
from issue date
/02 — The process
How to apply
/01
Confirm purpose and trip dates
Establish your tourism itinerary and total Schengen days (max 90 in 180). Apply through the consulate of your main destination, or first point of entry if no main destination — here, Portugal.
· Tourism· 90/180 rule
/02
Book a VFS Global appointment
Schedule an appointment at the VFS Global centre in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, which handles Portugal Schengen applications. Apply 3+ weeks before travel; book early in peak season.
· VFS Global· Hanoi / HCMC
/03
Gather supporting documents
Prepare passport, application form, photos, round-trip flights, accommodation, travel medical insurance (min EUR 30,000), bank statements, employment proof and itinerary.
· Documents· Insurance EUR 30,000
/04
Pay the visa fee
Pay the EUR 90 adult Schengen fee plus the VFS service fee at submission. Children 6-11 pay EUR 45; under 6 are free.
· EUR 90· VFS service fee
/05
Submit application and biometrics
Attend in person to submit documents and give fingerprints and a photo (biometrics required unless captured in the last 59 months).
· Biometrics· In person
/06
Collect passport and travel
Wait for the decision (~15 days), collect your passport, verify visa details, and carry all supporting documents for entry at the Schengen border.
· Decision· Carry documents
/03 — The paperwork
Required materials
12 items
Personalized checklist
Vietnam -> Portugal · Schengen short-stay visa (Type C / Uniform Schengen Visa)
0 / 12 complete
Deadline reminderAdd a date before export
RequiredPassport valid 3+ months beyond departure, issued within last 10 years, 2 blank pages
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
required
RequiredCompleted and signed Schengen visa application form
Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed
Schengen visa fee (adult)EUR 90Standard adult fee since June 2024
Schengen visa fee (child 6-11)EUR 45Children under 6 are exempt
VFS Global service fee~EUR 30-35Per application; varies, paid at the centre
Travel medical insurance~EUR 20-50Minimum EUR 30,000 coverage; cost depends on trip length
Total estimateEUR 90 — EUR 175incl. all
/05 — The wait
Processing time
Standard processing
~15 calendar days
Typical decision time after submission for a complete application
Peak-season processing
30-45 days
Longer waits during high-demand periods; apply well in advance
/06 — The risks
Common refusal reasons
by frequency
/01
Vietnam is a visa-required nationality
Vietnam is listed in Annex I of EU Regulation 2018/1806, so ordinary passport holders need a Schengen visa for any short stay.
High
/02
Portugal is a Schengen member
Entry to Portugal follows uniform Schengen short-stay rules, including the 90/180-day limit.
High
/03
ETIAS does not cover Vietnam
The upcoming ETIAS authorization is for visa-exempt nationals only; Vietnamese travelers still need a full Schengen visa.
Medium
/04
Mandatory insurance and proof of funds
Applications require travel medical insurance of at least EUR 30,000 and evidence of sufficient financial means.
Medium
/05
Apply via VFS Global, not direct consulate
Portugal outsources application intake in Vietnam to VFS Global, requiring an appointment and service fee.
Low
/07 — On arrival
After you land
/01
Immigration
Keep your passport, visa or exemption proof, return ticket, and accommodation details ready for border inspection.
/02
Customs
Review the destination's customs rules before travel and declare restricted goods or large cash amounts when required.
/03
Connectivity
Check whether airport SIMs, eSIMs, or roaming are the best option for your route before arrival.
/08 — The history
Policy changelog
since 2024
2026-05-30
Vietnam to Portugal route verified
Confirmed against the Portuguese MNE visa portal, EU visa policy (Reg. 2018/1806) and VFS Global Vietnam that Vietnamese ordinary passport holders require a Schengen Type C visa for Portugal; fee EUR 90, insurance EUR 30,000, 90/180 stay. Confirmed ETIAS does not apply to Vietnam.
/09 — The questions
Frequently asked
Do Vietnamese citizens need a visa for Portugal?—
Yes. Vietnam is a visa-required nationality for the Schengen Area, so an ordinary passport holder must obtain a Schengen short-stay (Type C) visa before traveling to Portugal.