Visa information

Do I need a visa?

If you want to attend the EPH Conference in Lisbon, you may need a visa to enter Portugal. Find out more here about getting a visa to come to Portugal.

You can find detailed information here: https://eportugal.gov.pt/en/servicos/pedir-um-visto-schengen-de-curta-duracao

Letter of Invitation

To be granted a visa, you need a Letter of Invitation from the EPH Conference organisation. The following rules are very strict; we do not make exceptions.

It is the delegate's responsibility to investigate the visa requirements for Portugal and to apply for a visa, if necessary. Delegates who require a visa must allow sufficient time for the application procedure. Delegates should apply for a short-term Schengen visa through the E-Visa portal  or in Portuguese consular offices  or consular representations of European Union countries that have jurisdiction, in case there is no Portuguese consular office.

Delegates must first register for the conference, pay in full and submit any required supporting documents (if applicable) before a letter of invitation is issued. EPH Conference Office will issue the letter of invitation, which must be submitted to the embassy/office when applying for a visa.

In case the visa could not be granted, the registration fee minus a handling fee will be refunded after the conference. This will only be done if the visa was applied for in time and proof is given that the visa could not be granted even though all requested documents were submitted. Refund requests must be made in writing and sent together with the required proof to the Registration Officer, no later than 15 November 2024. Refund requests received after that date cannot be accepted.

The Letter of Invitation does not financially oblige the EPH Conference Office in any way. All expenses incurred in relation to the conference are the sole responsibility of the delegate. The Letter of Invitation does not guarantee an entry visa to Portugal.

Delegate registration details may be shared with the immigration authorities to assist in the visa application process. However, EPH Conference Office will not directly contact embassies/offices on behalf of delegates.

The deadline for requesting a letter of invitation is 15 October 2024.

In short, if you need a visa, you should proceed as follows:

• Register for the main EPH Conference and pay the registration fee.
• Send the paid for invoice of your registration with your request for a Letter of Invitation to registration@ephconference.eu.
• With the Letter of Invitation, apply for a short-term Schengen visa through the E-Visa portal  or in Portuguese consular offices  or consular representations of European Union countries that have jurisdiction, in case there is no Portuguese consular office. 

Request a short-term Schengen visa

The Schengen visa for short stay allows you to stay in Portugal for a maximum period of 90 days. It is usually requested for reasons of tourism, business or family visits.

The visa does not automatically guarantee entry into Portugal. At the border or any other control point, additional documentation may be requested to prove that you meet the legal requirements to enter the Schengen area.

Who should apply for a Schengen visa

Any foreigner who is not a national of a Member State of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland can apply for a Schengen visa for short stay.

Where request a short-term Schengen visa?

Online

• Through the E-Visa portal

In person, at:

• Portuguese consular offices (Embassies and Consulates)
• Consular representations of European Union countries that have jurisdiction, in case there is no Portuguese consular office.
• External Services Providers, only in some countries.

How much does the Schengen visa cost?

Usually, it costs €80.

For nationals of countries with facilitation agreements with the European Union (EU) and children from the age of six and under 12, it costs €40.

What is the deadline to apply for a short-term Schengen visa?

You must submit your request between 6 months and 15 days before the date you intend to enter Portugal. In duly justified cases you can request the visa less than 15 days before the date you want to enter Portugal.

When requesting, the consulate may require an interview. This interview must take place within two weeks of being requested. In urgent and duly justified cases, the consulate may waive the interview or schedule it immediately.