Portugal long-stay (Type D) visa
Required documents, fees and processing time for a Portugal long-stay (Type D) Schengen visa when you apply from United Kingdom.
SCHENGEN · VISA C✈ DOCUMENTS
🇵🇹 Portugal·····✈·····🇬🇧 from United Kingdom
To
Portugal
Type
D · LONG STAY
Apply at
UK
Centre
VAC
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Action neededLong stay — national (Type D) · applying from United Kingdom.
Documents ready00 / 11
Competent authority
Consulate General of Portugal in London / Embassy of Portugal in the UK. Serves UK residents. D visa valid 4 months / 2 entries; residence permit obtained from AIMA in Portugal.
Application centre
VFS Global (London, Manchester, Edinburgh). Appointment mandatory.
Recommended — commonly expected even when not on the official list
Cover letterA letter of introduction stating who you are and why you are travelling.
Travel itineraryA day-by-day plan of your trip to attach to the application.
Fees
Consular (Type C)
€90
Service fee
£32.85
Est. total (adult)
£113.85
Long stay (Type D)
—
The short-stay (Type C) consular fee is harmonised at €90 for adults across all Schengen states; collected in GBP · centre: VFS Global.
Fee notes
VFS Global.
Timeline
medium confidenceProcessing
15–45 days
End-to-end
4–10 weeks
Centre
VAC
Appointment wait
Slots released weekly on Thursdays; high demand and frequent cancellations make booking difficult — realistically 2-6 weeks, worse in summer.
Application centre
VFS Global (on behalf of the Consulate General of Portugal, London). London, Manchester, Edinburgh.
Timeline notes
Average decision ~15 days (10-15 working days after VAC verification), up to 30-45 days in peak season.
Funds to show
high confidenceThe figures below are the short-stay (Type C) means of subsistence. A long-stay (Type D) visa sets its funds requirement nationally by purpose (study, work, family reunification, income) — check the consulate for the amount that applies to your case.
Per day
€40
Minimum
€75
In EUR ≈
as shown
Floor
EUR 75 per each entry, in addition to the per-day amount
Notes
Two components: EUR 75 for each entry PLUS EUR 40 for each day spent on the territory. Aliens who can prove board and lodging are guaranteed for the whole stay may be exempted from these amounts.
Consulates apply discretion and may expect a buffer above this figure — treat it as a floor, not a guarantee.
Funds source ↗⚠ Special cases & caveats
- Work / subordinate activity visaAdd employment contract or job offer from a Portuguese employer; professional qualifications/certificate if the profession is regulated.
- Study / research visaAdd university acceptance/enrolment letter or research host agreement; proof of subsistence and accommodation.
- Family reunification visaAdd AIMA authorisation, birth/marriage certificates proving relationship, and proof of the sponsor's means.
- Retiree / passive income (D7) / digital nomad (D8 remote work)Add proof of stable regular income (pension, passive income or remote work/service contract) at the required level.