Hi, I am from the U.S. I just turned 18 so I’m going to Portugal as a tourist to see my boyfriend, this is my first trip and I was wondering if I need to show proof of income when entering through Portugal, my boyfriend will be funding most of the trip and I plan on staying for 2 and a half months
Posted by
Florida (previously California)
4008 posts
Well, if you are traveling on a US passport and plan to stay for only 2,5 months, odds are that you will not ned to apply for a visa so there will be no one to ask you about how to plan to fund this this trip. Will you have been anywhere else in the Schengen Zone within the 180 day period before the date you arrive in Portugal? If you have not, you should be all set.
Posted by
Washington DC
28247 posts
Just so you don't run into a problem later: If you are traveling on a US passport, you are limited to a maximum of 90 days in the entire Schengen Area (of which Portugal is a part) within any rolling 180-day period. Both your arrival day and your departure day count, and leaving the zone and then returning to it just pauses the count, it doesn't reset the counter to zero. Do not under any circumstances over-stay that limit; doing so may subject you to a large fine, and you could be banned from the entire Schengen Area for a number of years.
Posted by
Tunbridge Wells
6113 posts
You will need to show that you have a return ticket home. You are unlikely to be pulled over and asked questions about how you are financing the trip, but it is possible.
Posted by
Freedonia
16413 posts
Make sure there is a way for immigration officials to contact your boyfriend when you arrive and he can assure them he can support you for your visit.
While it is unlikely you will be questioned, their main concern is you working and/or overstaying your visa.
And have proof of a return ticket.
I travel for months at a time, am much older than you, but occassionally I'm asked if I have a return ticket.
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
8126 posts
Each of the EU countries (and just about every country) has a similar set of requirements for entry. Obviously your passport, but also some sense of proof that your intent is not to immigrate there illegally.
To that end, you could be asked how long you will be there and if you have a return ticket. You can also be asked about Health Insurance, available funds, itinerary, all of which you are obligated to have.
However, immigration rarely delves that deep into each passenger, they look for flags, as others have mentioned, a big one is a return ticket, they will know, but will ask how long your staying; not being able to explain your plans is another. If you can calmly explain both, they just stamp your passport and move you through, really, just a non-event.
Most on here would probably stumble trying to "prove" funds, no one travels with cash any more, maybe show credit cards; and I guess I don't always carry my health insurance card or have travel insurance; but in 20+ trips, I have never been asked.