Where to Apply
Consulate of Portugal in Belgrade
Appointment Booking
Current Situation with Slots
- Only 30 slots for tourist visas are issued 2-4 times a year (about once per quarter)
- Slots are taken within 3-15 minutes after opening - a real "hungry games"
- The email must be sent exactly at 9:00:00
- The last slot issuance date was 5 November 2025; a new one has not been announced yet
Required Documents
Main Package
- Completed application form (the consulate takes a photo on site, but you still need your own photos)
- Passport valid for at least 3 months after the end of the trip
- Internal passport with translation
- Residence permit in Serbia (boravak)
- Medical insurance of at least 30 000 EUR
- Round-trip tickets (refundable or reservation confirmation)
- Accommodation reservation for the whole trip period
Accommodation in Serbia
- Rental contract OR
- Landlord's statement (landlord's declaration, signature, notarisation). Cost 360 dinars; translation to Serbian can be done via ChatGPT, then a notary will certify the signature.
Employment
Employment
- Work certificate (salary, leave, stamp)
- Employment contract
- PPP-PO - tax certificate from the tax administration for the last 3 months
- MA Form - registration certificate in RFZO (obtained from PIO for free in 5 minutes)
Sole Proprietorship
- Decision on registration of the sole proprietorship
- Certificate from the tax administration on paid taxes
- Invoices for the last 3 months (to prove activity)
- MA Form from RFZO
Non-working / Retirees
- Sponsor letter from the sponsor
- Sponsor's documents (work certificate, statements)
- When sponsored by a spouse - apostilled marriage certificate with translation
Translations
- All documents in Russian must be translated by a court translator (судски преводилац)
- Portuguese authorities accept documents in Serbian and English without translation
- Recommended agencies: MulTiprevodi, Akademija Oxford
Financial Documents
Bank Statements
- Potvrda o stanju na racunu - account balance statement from the bank with a stamp
- Statements from Serbian banks are accepted
- Minimum recommended amount - from 50-75 EUR per day of travel
- Ordinary statements without a stamp may be rejected; a stamped document is required
- Required if you have no personal income
- For spouses, an apostilled marriage certificate is mandatory
- For unofficial partners the consulate may refuse (only official marriage is accepted)
Costs and Timelines
Costs
- Visa fee - standard Schengen rate (around 80 EUR)
- No additional service fees; you apply directly at the consulate
Timelines
- Slot acquisition - 2-4 times a year, slots are taken within minutes
- Online document submission - after receiving a slot, send scans
- In-person submission - scheduled 15-30 days before the planned trip
- Visa processing - 14 working days from the in-person submission
- Sticking - passport is taken in the morning and returned by lunch the same day
Example
- 5 November - slot obtained
- 11 December - document submission at the consulate
- 30 December - visa ready
- 6-11 January - trip
Types of Visas
Tourist (C)
- Issued strictly for the travel dates; multivisa are not issued (in 2024 there were 165 visas, 0 multivisas)
- Consular staff immediately warn that multivisas are not granted
- Validity - requested period plus a few "buffer" days
National (D)
- D7 (digital nomads)
- For studies (from 8 grade)
- Residence permit for specialised courses
- Slots are issued separately, also very limited (10-15 places twice a year)
Hacks and Tips
How to Grab a Slot
- Set world clocks with second-level accuracy
- Prepare the email in advance, send it exactly at 9:00:00
- Indicate flexibility in dates - this increases chances
Sample Email
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am a legal resident of Serbia and am employed by a Serbian company. My wife and I are planning a short trip to Portugal in April.
I will cover all expenses for both myself and my wife during the trip.
Could you please provide the list of required documents for the visa application?
Thank you in advance.
What Increases Chances
- The consulate almost never rejects (statistics for 2024 show zero rejections)
- Having previous Schengen visas
- Stable finances in the account
- Complete document package
Consulate Particularities
- Staff are friendly and willing to accommodate, sometimes rescheduling dates
- If needed, they may allow you to bring a forgotten document the next day
- Quick responses to email inquiries
About Documents
- Occasionally they request extra papers beyond the list - be prepared
- Tickets are best bought refundable with Air Serbia (full refund on Economy Comfort)
- For online submission you can show one set of documents and bring another in person (Bojana does not remember)
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I travel to another Schengen country with a Portuguese visa?
With a single-entry visa it is risky - border officials may check the itinerary. It is better to travel to Portugal itself.
Is a criminal record certificate required?
Only for national visas (D). It is not required for a tourist Schengen visa.
Can I apply without official employment?
Yes, with strong financial indicators and a sponsor letter. Successful cases exist.
What if I forget a main document at home?
Portuguese authorities are lenient - they may allow you to bring it the next day.
How many times a year can I apply?
At each slot opening (2-4 times a year). Re-applications are not prohibited.
Can I change the hotel reservation after the visa is issued?
Formally you should inform the consulate, but in practice the risk of border checks is low.
When should I buy tickets?
After receiving a slot but before submitting documents. Refundable fares are recommended.
Important: Before traveling, verify the latest information on the official consulate websites.