Transit visa for Lisbon Airport (LIS): do you need one?
Portugal is in the Schengen area. Most travellers who stay in the international transit area and fly on outside Schengen need no visa; a fixed list of nationalities needs an airport transit visa even airside.
Quick answer
You need an airport transit visa at Lisbon only if you are a national of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia and Sri Lanka (the Schengen-wide list), plus Guinea, Senegal and Uzbekistan and no exemption applies. Everyone else can connect airside without a visa when the next flight leaves Schengen.
The rules at Lisbon Airport
Nationalities that need an airport transit visa
Afghanistan, Bangladesh, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia and Sri Lanka (the Schengen-wide list), plus Guinea, Senegal and Uzbekistan. [1]
Exemptions
Holders of a valid residence authorisation issued by an EU member state; holders of a valid visa for an EU member state, Canada, Japan or the United States; family members of EU citizens with free-movement rights; diplomatic passport holders; and aircraft crew of Chicago Convention states. [1]
Connecting within Schengen or leaving the airport
An airport transit visa only covers the international transit area. If your next flight goes to another Schengen country, or you need to pass passport control, you need a Schengen visa or visa-free entry instead. [1]
Do I need a transit visa at Lisbon Airport? Answers by passport
Indian passport
No airport transit visa for an airside connection to a non-Schengen destination: India is not on Portugal’s list. A connection within Schengen needs a Schengen visa. [1]
Senegalese, Guinean or Uzbek passport
Yes. Portugal adds these three nationalities to the Schengen-wide airport transit visa list, unless an exemption applies (for example a valid US, Canadian or Japanese visa). [1]
Nigerian, Ghanaian or Pakistani passport
Yes, unless an exemption applies — all three are on the Schengen-wide airport transit visa list. [1]
Angolan, Cape Verdean or Brazilian passport
No airport transit visa: none of these is on Portugal’s list. Entering Portugal depends on your passport’s Schengen visa rules. [1]
Sources
- Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs — Who needs a visa (Schengen short stay); checked 1 Oct 2026.
Transit rules change. Check with your airline and the official source before you fly.
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