Umrah E-Visa for Portugal Citizens: The Spiritual Journey Guide 2026
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For the growing Muslim community in Portugal—connecting the historic legacy of Al-Gharb with the vibrant communities of Lisbon and Porto—the pilgrimage to Makkah and Madinah is a journey of rediscovery and devotion. Traveling from the banks of the Tagus River (Tejo) and the Atlantic coast to the sacred desert of the Hejaz represents a transition from the western edge of Europe to the spiritual center of Islam. The Umrah E-Visa for Portugal citizens is a digital authorization specifically designed to facilitate this sacred duty. In 2026, the Kingdom has fully integrated this process with the Nusuk platform, ensuring that Portuguese pilgrims can organize their journey with the ease and warmth characteristic of their culture.
This guide specifically addresses the logistical needs of Portuguese passport holders—covering flights from Lisbon (LIS), managing Euro finances (and Multibanco/MB WAY limitations), and utilizing the Nusuk app for a blessed pilgrimage.
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Umrah Visa Conditions for Portuguese Citizens
Visa Type: Saudi Arabia Umrah E-Visa (Multiple Entry)
Validity Period: 1 Year from the date of issuance
Maximum Stay: 90 Days for each visit
Primary Platform: Nusuk App integration required for Holy Sites
Mahram Requirement: Not Required (Women can travel alone)
Insurance: Comprehensive medical insurance coverage included
At eviSAudi, we respect the sanctity of your journey. You can start your Saudi Arabia Umrah E-Visa application online, and we will handle the bureaucratic details while you focus on your Niyyah (Intention).
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Spiritual Purpose vs. Leisure Travel
Although the digital document is technically a "Visit Visa," applying with Umrah intent fundamentally changes your preparation checklist.
For Worship: The Umrah workflow prioritizes the Nusuk ecosystem. If your heart is set on Tawaf and praying in the Rawdah, you must follow the specific appointment protocols.
For Leisure: If your plan is strictly to explore the Red Sea coast or the heritage sites of AlUla without immediate religious rituals, you may want to review the Saudi Arabia E-Tourist Visa for Portugal Citizens.
⚠️ Important Limitation: Not Valid for Hajj It is crucial to understand that this E-Visa is valid for Umrah rituals only. It cannot be used for the Hajj pilgrimage. During the sacred season of Dhul-Hijjah, this visa type is suspended. Residents of Portugal wishing to perform Hajj must apply for a specific permit allocated through official quotas managed by the Central Mosque of Lisbon.
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Best Time to Perform Umrah for the Portuguese
Portuguese pilgrims often align their pilgrimage with school holidays to travel with family.
Férias da Páscoa (Easter Break): The spring break is a very popular time. The weather in Saudi Arabia is warm but manageable, offering a comfortable environment for rituals compared to the peak summer heat.
Férias de Natal (Winter): Escaping the rainy, windy Atlantic winter for the dry, mild 25°C weather of Makkah is a perfect spiritual retreat.
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From the Atlantic to the Red Sea: Logistics
Since there are no direct flights to Saudi Arabia from Portugal, pilgrims must plan their transit carefully from Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) or Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport (OPO).
The Dubai Connection: Emirates flies daily from Lisbon to Dubai (DXB). This is a favorite route for families due to the high comfort level.
The Istanbul Route: Turkish Airlines offers excellent connections from both Lisbon and Porto via Istanbul (IST). This route is often more direct and offers generous baggage allowances for Zamzam water.
Ihram Strategy: Since you will be changing planes, do not wear Ihram from Portugal. Plan to shower and change into Ihram at your final transit airport (e.g., Istanbul or Dubai) before the last flight to Jeddah, which crosses the Miqat.
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Digital Planning: The Nusuk Ecosystem
Your E-Visa grants entry to the Kingdom, but the Nusuk App facilitates your access to the sacred areas.
Rawdah Al Sharifah: To pray in the Rawdah (the green carpet area in Al-Masjid an-Nabawi), a digital permit is mandatory. These slots are extremely limited. Once we issue your visa, you must download Nusuk immediately to book your slot.
Umrah Slot: You can also use the app to monitor crowd density in the Mataf to choose quieter times for your Tawaf.
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Traveling with Family ("A Família")
Portuguese culture is deeply family-oriented. The E-Visa system supports this by allowing for group applications, where you can process visas for the entire family in one session. Makkah is highly accessible; electric scooters are available at the Grand Mosque, and the Haramain High-Speed Train provides wheelchair-accessible transport between Makkah and Madinah, ensuring comfort for elderly parents (Avós).
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Umrah E-Visa Service Fees for Portugal Citizens
For applicants applying from Portugal, Umrah E-Visa fees are processed in USD and settled in Euro (€) by your issuing bank.
Standard Umrah Processing: Approx. €170 – €185 (Base: $185 USD). This covers the Government fee and processing with a standard turnaround (2-5 business days).
Priority Umrah Processing: Approx. €230 – €250 (Base: $250 USD). Designed for urgent spiritual intentions or last-minute travel (12-24 hour turnaround).
All payments are processed securely. The final amount in Euro is determined by your bank’s daily exchange rate. For a full breakdown, visit our Visa Types and Prices page.
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Pilgrimage Application Steps for Portuguese
The process is designed to be efficient.
Intention & Details: Complete the secure online form. You can apply for your entire family group in one session.
Photo: Upload a clear, recent photo. For Muslim women: Photos with a Hijab are perfectly acceptable; the face must be visible from hairline to chin.
Digital Issuance: Once approved, we email the PDF visa directly to you. Please print multiple copies—one for your wallet and one for your hand luggage—to show at airline check-in counters.
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Financial Logistics: The "Multibanco" & MB WAY Warning
Multibanco Alert: The standard Portuguese Multibanco debit card (without a Visa/Mastercard logo) will NOT work in Saudi Arabia. You must ensure your card is a Visa or Mastercard (Debit or Credit).
MB WAY: The popular MB WAY app does not function outside of Portugal. Do not rely on it for payments.
Banking: Use cards from banks like Millennium BCP, Caixa Geral, or Novo Banco that have international capabilities. Revolut is also an excellent option for avoiding high fees.
Cash Advice: Exchange a small amount of Euros for Saudi Riyals (SAR) at Jeddah airport for immediate needs (Sadaqah, taxis).
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FAQ: Umrah E-Visa for Portugal Citizens
Below are the most common questions Portuguese citizens ask before applying for an Umrah E-Visa.
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Do I need a visa if I have a Portuguese Residence Permit (Título de Residência) but not a passport?
This E-Visa is specifically for Portuguese Citizens (holders of the crimson passport). If you hold a Título de Residência (CPLP or standard) but a passport from another country (e.g., Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, India), you may need to apply based on your passport's nationality or check if you qualify for the "Schengen Resident" exemption category.
Can Portuguese women perform Umrah without a Mahram?
Yes. The Kingdom has officially removed the Mahram (male guardian) requirement. Portuguese women of any age can apply for an Umrah E-Visa and travel alone or in groups.
Is the Meningitis vaccine required?
Saudi health regulations strongly recommend the Meningococcal meningitis vaccine (ACWY) for all pilgrims. While you might not be asked to upload the certificate online, carrying the vaccination card (Boletim de Vacinas) is highly advisable.
Can I track my visa status?
Yes. We understand the anticipation of a spiritual journey. You can check the progress of your application at any time on our Track Visa Status page.