Portuguese citizens need a Tanzania e-Visa to visit Tanzania. Despite holding an EU passport and access to Portugal's historically strong diplomatic ties with Africa, EU membership does not grant Portuguese nationals visa-free entry to Tanzania. The tourist single-entry e-Visa costs USD 50 (approximately EUR 46), processing takes 3-10 business days, and the entire application is done online.
Do Portuguese Citizens Need a Visa for Tanzania?
Yes. Portuguese passport holders must obtain a visa to enter Tanzania. Portugal is a Schengen Area member and holds one of the world's strongest passports — but Tanzania operates an independent visa policy that does not include EU reciprocity.
Portuguese travellers have two visa options: the Tanzania e-Visa (online, before travel) and visa on arrival (at the airport). The e-Visa is recommended. It is processed entirely online at eservices.immigration.go.tz, requires no embassy visit, and avoids airport queues.
Portugal has historic ties with several neighbouring Mozambican communities, and Portuguese-speaking travellers sometimes pair Tanzania with visits to Mozambique or the East African coast. Note: the Tanzania e-Visa is only valid for Tanzania — separate visas are required for Mozambique, Kenya, and other neighbouring countries.
Tanzania e-Visa Requirements for Portuguese Citizens
- Valid Portuguese passport (minimum 6 months validity beyond your intended departure from Tanzania, at least 2 blank pages)
- Recent passport-size digital photo (white background, colour, JPEG format, taken within last 6 months)
- Return or onward flight ticket
- Proof of accommodation in Tanzania (hotel/lodge confirmation or host's invitation letter)
- Proof of sufficient funds (bank statement; EUR 450 / USD 500 equivalent recommended as minimum)
- Travel itinerary for your stay
- Valid email address for receiving the e-Visa approval
Tanzania e-Visa Cost for Portuguese Citizens
| Visa Type | Fee (USD) | EUR Approx. |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist Single Entry | USD 50 | ~EUR 46 |
| Tourist Multiple Entry | USD 100 | ~EUR 92 |
| Business Single Entry | USD 50 | ~EUR 46 |
| Transit | USD 30 | ~EUR 28 |
Fees are charged in USD. Your Portuguese bank or credit card will convert at the prevailing EUR/USD rate. EUR equivalents above are approximate.
How to Apply: Step-by-Step
- Visit the official portal — Go to eservices.immigration.go.tz
- Create an account — Register with your email address
- Start a new application — Select "Tourist e-Visa" and Portugal as your nationality
- Enter passport details — Fill in your name, date of birth, and passport number exactly as printed on your Portuguese passport
- Upload documents — Passport bio-data page scan, digital photo, hotel booking, and flight ticket
- Review all fields — Check for errors, particularly in name spelling
- Pay USD 50 — By Visa, Mastercard, or other accepted international card
- Save your reference number — Received by email immediately after submission
- Wait for approval — Typically 3-7 business days for Portuguese applications
- Download and print the e-Visa — Present at the port of entry alongside your Portuguese passport
Processing Time
Standard processing: 3-10 business days. Portuguese applications are typically approved within the first half of this range. Apply at least 2 weeks before departure. The e-Visa is valid for 3 months from issue, with a maximum stay of 90 days.
Tanzania e-Visa vs Visa on Arrival for Portuguese Citizens
| Feature | e-Visa (Online) | Visa on Arrival |
|---|---|---|
| Where to apply | Online before travel | At the airport on arrival |
| Cost | USD 50 | USD 50 |
| Wait time | 3-10 days to receive | 30-90 mins on arrival |
| Available at | All entry points | Julius Nyerere (DAR), Kilimanjaro (JRO), Zanzibar (ZNZ) airports only |
| Recommended | Yes | Backup option |
Portugal-Specific Travel Notes
Airlines from Portugal to Tanzania: There are no direct flights from Portugal to Tanzania. Common routing options from Lisbon (LIS) or Porto (OPO):
- TAP Air Portugal via Lisbon to Nairobi (NBO) — seasonal route; from Nairobi connect to Kilimanjaro (JRO) or Dar es Salaam (DAR) via Kenya Airways
- Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa (ADD) — typically 16-18 hours total from Lisbon
- Turkish Airlines via Istanbul (IST) — approximately 13-15 hours total
- Qatar Airways via Doha (DOH) — approximately 13-14 hours total
- KLM via Amsterdam (AMS) — approximately 14-16 hours total
Currency: Tanzania uses the Tanzanian Shilling (TZS). The Euro (EUR) is not accepted locally. Bring USD cash for easy exchanges and transactions at safari lodges (most price in USD). Exchange EUR to USD before travel, or withdraw TZS from ATMs in Dar es Salaam or Arusha. Small USD bills (USD 1, 5, 10, 20) are useful for tips.
Portuguese consular info: Portugal does not have a resident embassy in Tanzania. The Portuguese Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya (Rua Al Amin, Nairobi) covers Tanzania for consular emergencies. Register your trip at Ministério dos Negócios Estrangeiros's portal (mne.pt) before departure.
Popular destinations for Portuguese travellers: Zanzibar (which shares some Swahili/Portuguese colonial influence in Stone Town architecture), Serengeti safaris, Ngorongoro Crater, Kilimanjaro climbing, and the southern circuit (Selous/Nyerere Game Reserve, Ruaha National Park).
Does Portugal issue e-Visas? This question is sometimes searched by travellers confused about direction. Portugal uses the Schengen visa system for visitors to Portugal — unrelated to the Tanzania e-Visa you are applying for as a Portuguese citizen visiting Tanzania.