One of the biggest hurdles in any Schengen visa application is proving you have enough money to cover your trip — what consulates call "sufficient means of subsistence." But not all Schengen countries demand the same amount, and few combine low requirements with a genuinely high approval rate. Portugal does both — making it one of the most realistic options for applicants on a tighter budget.
You must apply for the visa of the country where you'll spend the most days, or your first point of entry if time is split equally. If Portugal is your main destination — or your itinerary is flexible — its combination of lower funds requirements and high approval makes it worth prioritising.
Portugal requires around €75 per day of stay, with a minimum of roughly €1,500 for trips under 20 days — noticeably lower than France, Italy, Spain or Switzerland. Some sources cite an even lower daily figure (around €40/day) for the duration of stay, with a smaller amount required on entry. Either way, it sits well below the €100–120/day demanded by several other Schengen states.
What makes Portugal particularly attractive isn't just the lower bar — it's the combination with one of the highest approval rates in the Schengen area, around 92–95%. A visa issued by Portugal lets you travel freely across the entire Schengen zone, including France, Spain and Italy, on the same trip.
Below are the official minimum daily amounts (or fixed minimums) consulates expect you to show for a short-stay Schengen visa. These are official minimums — in practice, consulates often expect 1.5–2x this amount to feel confident.
| Country | Requirement | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Portugal | ~€75/day or €1,500 min | 92–95% approval rate, one of the most balanced options |
| Latvia | ~€14/day | Lowest official daily figure in the zone |
| Poland | ~€18/day | One of the lowest, efficient processing |
| Greece | ~€50/day | Tourist-friendly, moderate requirement |
| Germany | ~€45/day | High approval rate, efficient process |
| Netherlands | ~€55/day | Fast processing, efficient system |
| Slovakia | No fixed minimum | Generally ~€100/day expected in practice |
| Italy | ~€120/day | Often misunderstood — higher than people expect |
| France | €120/day (or €65/day with prepaid hotel) | Strict, but prepaid accommodation helps |
| Spain | €100/day or €900 minimum (whichever higher) | One of the strictest in the zone |
| Switzerland | ~€100/day | Strict financial checks |
A lower financial threshold makes the paperwork easier, but consulates still assess your overall profile — employment, travel history, ties to your home country, and the consistency of your bank statements all matter.
Financial requirements are only one part of the picture. Other factors that make some countries easier in practice:
Even with perfect paperwork and Portugal's relatively modest financial requirements, many applicants in the UK get stuck simply because visa centres are fully booked for weeks. This is where a monitoring service makes the difference.
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This article provides general information only and does not constitute immigration or financial advice. Requirements change frequently — always confirm current figures directly with the relevant consulate or visa centre before applying.