About this visa
8 Simple Steps to Apply for the Working Holiday Visa in Portugal
Young travelers of the participating countries can apply for this Working Holiday visa which allows them to work and travel in Portugal for up to one year.
COVID-19 UPDATE:
EU countries are starting to reopen their borders to international travelers. However, before heading off to Europe be sure to double check with the country's Embassy or Consulate in your home country as the EU countries are not legally bound to follow this new EU recommendation.
Participating countries
Portugal has made Working Holiday visa agreements with the following 9 participating countries:
If you are a Citizen of Portugal and are considering a Working Holiday experience in one of the participating countries above, contact the Embassy of the country in question for more information.
With this visa you can
This visa allows you to:
- Live in Portugal for up to one year
- Work on a short term basis (Max. 6 months)
- Study for up to four months
- Travel to other countries within the Schengen area without a visitor visa
Things to note
- There are only 200 working holiday visas places each year for young Australians
Conditions
- You hold a valid passport for one of the participating countries
- are at least 18 years of age but not yet 31;
- You will not be accompanied by dependent children at any time during your stay.
- You intend primarily to holiday in Portugal for a period of up to twelve months;
- You possess sufficient financial resources to support travel and the duration of their stay, including proof of return ticket or proof of means of subsistence;
- Hold a travel insurance and health insurance valid for the duration of the stay covering hospital costs and medical repatriation
- Have no criminal record and allow criminal record verification
- Hold tertiary qualifications or have successfully completed at least 2 years of undergraduate university study.
For Australians the must also provide the following:
- Proof of having a level of proficiency of Portuguese which is assessed as at least functional;
- A letter from the relevant ministry and a signed solemn statement.
For Canadians you must also provide the following:
- Additional documentation may be provided, such as: work offer; or registration in a high education or post-secondary institution; or declaration certifying intention to travel and work incidentally.
For South Koreans you must also provide the following:
- Statement certifying the intention to travel and work only for the purposes of consolidating financial resources.
For Americans you must also provide the following:
- Sign a Declaration stating that the visa application is done under the Memorandum of Understanding.
Note: The visa conditions outlined above are subject to change without notice.
How to apply
- You will need to collect all required visa documents. You can find the list below;
- A completed application form (link pdf Vistos Schengen Eng) with 1 passport size photo
- A valid Passport (validity must extend until at least 3 months after the end of planned journey);
- Copy of your medical and travel insurance covering comprehensive medical, hospitalisation and repatriation expenses for the duration of the stay;
- Available contact details for the place of accommodation in Portugal (address, phone numbers and email) Here you can just write in a hostel/hotel’s address if you have booked a stay here.
- Police certificate issued by the authorities of any country the applicant has resided for over one year;
- Authorisation for the Portuguese authorities to consult police records within the Schengen area (link autorização registo criminal); (link authorization criminal record)
- Letter explaining the reasons for applying for this Visa (You wish to work and explore this country)
- Declaration as attached signed (link declaração compromisso de honra) (link Declaration under Rules of Engagement) and with signature certified by a Justice of the Peace;
- Evidence of sufficient funds: certified copy of a bank statement
- Evidence of relevant educational qualifications;
- Self-addressed envelop for the returning of the passport.
2. Pay the visa application fee. You can find out how to pay here
3. Lodge your visa application together with visa documentation and receipt of your visa application fee payment.
4. Wait until you here back from the Embassy or the Consulate
If you have any further queries, you can contact the Embassy or Consulate.
The immigration authority in Portugal for processing Working Holiday visa's is Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Portugal .
Go to: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Portugal
Need more help?
If you are seeking advice about Working Holiday visa's drop a comment below and we will be happy to answer any Working Holiday & Youth Mobility visa question you have! We are travellers too! 🙂
Hi there,
I’m from NZ and interested in this visa. How long does the process take? Wondering how far in advance to begin the application.
thanks
Licenciado matemàtico, ciudadano cubano residente a Cuba quisiera poder emigrar y trabajar en vuestro pais pero no tiene quien lo ayuda
Saludos respetuosos
Hello, I’m from Ecuador, could apply for the working holiday in Portugal ?
Ola!
Hoping you can please help with a Portuguese residency question. I am from NZ currently in Portugal on a working holiday visa, and have been asked by my employer if I can work for them long term (so will need to accept a contract for longer than 3 months). Do you know if it’s possible to seek an extension for working?
Alternatively I’m looking to apply for a 2 year residency, however I’ve been told you cannot be in Portugal to apply for this. I don’t want to go all the way back to NZ to apply, do you know if I could go to another EU country to apply instead? Any info you have would be great.
Thank you!
Hi there,
I am an NZ Citizen and looking to get this visa, do you know how many they issue for NZ Citizens and the best time to apply for the visa if I am looking to travel in March 2023
Also, would the best way to apply be through the embassy in NZ
Thank you!
Hello,
It is possible to apply for the Visa from Europe??) I´m from Chile)
Thanks
I am Canadian and would like to apply for a working holiday visa for Portugal. However, I am already in Portugal visiting family. Is it possible to apply from within the country I am applying to or do I actually have to physically go back to Canada for an in-person appointment with a Consulate to receive the visa?
I already applied for the visa when in Canada and so have all the necessary documentation with me but there were no appointments available and so I am a visa-less tourist.
Thank you for any help or thoughts on my situation!
Hi,
How do I find out if there are any Mobility/Working Holiday Visas available for US citizens? (It appears there are a limited amount)
Thank you,
Margaret
Hi,
I am planning on working in Portugal this July-August and would like to extend my stay to travel the country and visit some other Schengen countries. As I am just 25 and graduated from college less than 12 months ago, this looks like the type of VISA that would be most appropriate.
1. Would you agree?
2. Where do I send the application and documents?
3. Do I need to send my actual passport?
4. How long does it take to get the VISA and my passport returned (as I will need it to begin my travels)
Thank you for all your help,
Margaret Pierson
Hi,
I am planning to work in Portugal this June-August and would like to stay longer for additional travel through Portugal and other Schengen countries. It looks like this is the VISA I would need. How do I find out if there are any still available for US citizens? Where do I send the application and documents? Also, from the time I send my application, how long does it take? I am guessing I would need to send my passport and want to make sure I will have it back in time to leave the US.
Thank you,
Margaret
Hi,
Gréât article. I was reading up on this on embassy sites and it was saying that for Americans you have to be recently graduated within the last 12 months? This was not mentioned in your article so was just curious if you were looking at a different working holiday visa…
Thanks!
Hello all,
I am from Canada, I want to know if this visa is renewable or not ?
I m from india . I want apply to Portugal work holiday visa . I have only dubai visitor visa .can I apply for Portugal .
Hi there,
I’m a Canadian citizen and I live and work in Germany currently. I’m looking at applying to the YMV and I was wondering if you knew if the fact that I’m covered by German public health insurance would be sufficient for the health insurance requirement for the visa?
Hello,
Do you know if you can have for this visa more than once (e.g this year and then again in a five years). I’m from NZ.
Thanks so much!
Hi,
I am from Australia and thinking of applying for a working holiday in Portugal. I’m wondering if anyone has any more information on the test or what is required for the “Proof of having a level of proficiency of Portuguese which is assessed as at least functional”, and what is involved to get “A letter from the relevant ministry and a signed solemn statement”.
I’m under 30 and meet all of the other requirements.
Cheers,
Clancy.
Hi Clancy! Did you ever get an answer to this question – I have the exact same query!
Cheers,
Sam
Aus
Hi there,
My husband and I are planning to move from Toronto to Portugal for a year under the working holiday visa (or youth mobility visa, we are 30 and 32). I will be working remotely, either in my current role for a Canadian/European company or in a new remote role. I have two questions: 1. How long does is it typically take from the time you submit your documentation to getting your visa approved, considering any delays with COVID-19, etc.? and 2. Once you get approved, does the one year visa start on the date you enter the country, and how long do you have to enter the country? Just trying to plan a moving timeline. I’ve called and emailed the Portugeuse consulate in Toronto a few times but haven’t heard back. Thank you so much for your help!
Hello,
Thank you for all of the useful information! I am hoping to apply for a working holiday visa but I have arrived in Portugal on a visitors visa with my partner and cannot go back to Canada for a Criminal Record check due to COVID-19. I also emailed the Embassy of Portugal in Canada about the visa but haven’t received an email back in over a month. Do you have any suggestions? I would appreciate any help I could get.
Cheryl
Hi Cheryl,
Thank you for your comment. Happy to help!
As a Canadian you do not need to provide a Criminal Record (Sorry this wasn’t specified on the page).
You can find out which documents you need here – https://www.vistos.mne.pt/en/national-visas/necessary-documentation/youth-mobility#canada
In order to apply for the working holiday visa in Portugal you may need to apply directly to the Portugese Immigration Department, as usually you would have had to apply from Canada.
Hope this helps.
Cheers
Maria
Hi, it looks like there are limited Youth Mobility visas for US citizens. How can I find out if there are any available without actually going to the consulate? There doesn’t seem to be a way to call.
Do I have to go in person or can this happen remotely?
Thank you, Elena
Not sure where this information came from but we do not speak spanish in Portugal. No spanish is required for this visa. Portuguese is. And just to be clear, it’s European Portuguese, not brazilian.
Hi Liliana,
Good spotted!
It’s now corrected. Thank you for your help 🙂
Cheers
Maria
Hi,
I am an Australian citizen who would like to apply for a working holiday visa in Portugal however I am currently living in France so I would like to know if it is possible to apply without going to the Consulate in Sydney?
Thank you, I look forward to hearing from you.
Hi Sumaiya,
Sorry about the late reply.
You do not have to visit the Portugese Consulate in Sydney. You can just send them an email.
consulado.sidney@mne.pt
Cheers,
Maria
Hi Maria,
I called the Portugese Consulate in Sydney and the lady on the phone told me I had to be in Australia when applying? I can’t seem to find this information on the visa website and they are not responding to my email questioning this!
Any thoughts?
Sam
Hi,
I’m thinking about applying for a working holiday visa for Portugal and am wondering how to find out if there are actually any spots available for Australians. I am under 30 and meet all of the requirements. Would I just call the consulate to find out that information?
Thanks!
Mia
Hi Mia,
That’s great!
You can contact the Portugese Consulate in Sydney to see how many more spots are available consulado.sidney@mne.pt
Cheers,
Maria