Saudi Passport Visa-Free to Portugal? New Travel Waiver & Eligibility Rules Explained

News of a fresh travel accord between Saudi Arabia and Portugal has caused a stir among those who are planning European flights this year. Many expected for the first time the Saudi passport holders to be able to enter Portugal without visa, but the official contract has certain conditions of use.

The bilateral visa exemption deal is only for choosing Saudi passport holders, not for the Saudi citizens normally travelling on business or for tourism purposes. Before travelling it is vital to know who is eligible and what are the existing entry requirements.

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What Is the New Saudi-Portugal Visa Waiver?

Saudi Arabia and Portugal have signed a mutual visa exemption arrangement to deepen its ties with the host nation and official relations.

Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Saudi’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Portugal’s Minister of State Paulo Rangel signed the agreement. But the exemption applies only for those with diplomatic and official passports, with most travellers experiencing the normal Schengen visa procedure as before.

Who Can Travel Visa Free?

These new rules will not be in effect for the general public, but will only be in effect for selected categories of passports. Travelers should check the requirements for their passport before they make their travel arrangements.

Passport Type	Portugal Entry Status
Diplomatic Passport	Visa-Free
Special/Official Passport	Visa-Free
Ordinary Saudi Passport	Schengen Visa Required

Nevertheless, the recent announcement did not affect the visa requirements for regular Saudi citizens.

What Ordinary Saudi Passport Holders Need to Know?

Tourism, business or family visits to Portugal from a standard Saudi passport remain Schengen visa-deprived, regardless of the purpose of your trip.

All applications and supporting documents, appointment, travel insurance, travel account accommodation and a proof of finances must be submitted through the official visa processing partner VFS Global.

Persons travelling should also make sure that their biometric passport will be valid for at least 3 months after leaving the Schengen area and preferably for 6 months.

Is ETIAS applicable to Saudi’s travelers?

The implementation of the ETIAS in the near future in Europe has sparked several questions for travellers originating from the GCC countries.

The visa regime will be limited to travelers from states which already have visa-free access to the EU. Under the current criteria, ordinary Saudi citizens will not use ETIAS because they need to obtain a Schengen visa.

Otherwise, they will have to keep using the regular visa application procedure for the Schengen countries until the next changes in the policy are announced.

Why Does the Agreement Still Matters?

The deal itself won’t directly affect the rights of the common traveller, but it marks another positive step towards better Saudi-Portugal ties in the fields of diplomacy and economy.

Visa exemptions for diplomatic and/or official passport holders can enhance government cooperation and encourage official visits, and provide a greater incentive to the growth of bilateral partnerships. Many analysts also see such deals as a way to make progress in possible future mobility talks.

However, until greater clarity emerges from official visa policies, tourists should take precaution to act according to the headline blasts that appear on social media and incorrect or incomplete reporting.

Travel Tips Before Planning Your Portugal Trip

Check prior to booking your trip the type of the passport you need and the current requirements for a visa with an official source.

Always have any supporting documents, book your VFS appointment early enough during travel hot spots and ensure that your passport is valid prior to your application. Make sure to prepare in time to prevent delays and disruptions at the last minute.

FAQs

Are all Saudi nationals able to travel freely to Portugal now?

No. The new visa exemption will only be valid for diplomatic and special/official passport holders. Those with regular passports will still need to apply for a Schengen visa prior to travel.

Is a Schengen visa still required for Portugal for a Saudi tourist?

Yes. A tourist, business or family visa for Saudi citizen nationals requiring a visa for travel to Europe for these purposes must be applied for in the usual Schengen visa application process.

Is the ETIAS the same as a Schengen visa for disbursement for Saudi nationals?

ETIAS only applies to travellers coming from visa-exempt countries. ETIAS doesn’t apply to the regular Saudi passport holders as they are required to have a Schengen visa as well.

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