What size photo do I need for a Portugal visa?

Portugal visa photos must be 35x45mm (Schengen standard). This is completely different from the Brazilian passport size of 50x70mm. You cannot use or crop a Brazilian passport photo.

Can I use my Brazilian passport photo for a Portugal visa?

No. Brazilian passport photos are 50x70mm; Portugal visas require 35x45mm. The aspect ratio is different, so cropping won't work. The background (a plain light colour) is fine either way; the size is the problem.

What background color is required for a Portugal visa photo?

A plain, evenly lit light colour. White, off-white, and light grey all meet the Schengen standard. What gets rejected is a dark, coloured, textured, or shadowed background, not the choice between white and grey.

Where do I apply for a Portugal visa in Brazil?

VFS Global processes Portugal visa applications in Brazil, with centers in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Brasília, and other major cities. You can also apply directly at Portuguese consulates in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Brasília, Curitiba, and other locations.

How many photos do I need for a Portugal visa application?

You need 2 identical passport-sized photos (35x45mm). Both must meet the same specifications, same background color, same framing, printed on the same paper.

Do Brazilians need a visa for Portugal?

For stays over 90 days, yes. Popular visa types include the D7 (Passive Income), D8 (Digital Nomad), work visa, student visa, and family reunification visa. For short tourist stays under 90 days, Brazilians do not need a Schengen visa.

Can I wear glasses in my Portugal visa photo?

Yes, within limits. The EU Schengen rule allows ordinary prescription glasses as long as your eyes are clearly visible, with no reflection on the lenses, no tint, and frames that do not cover the eyes. Sunglasses and tinted lenses are not allowed. If you cannot avoid glare, take the glasses off for the photo.

Portugal Visa Photo Requirements for Brazilians: Size & VFS Guide (2026)

Size	35 × 45mm (NOT 50×70mm)
Background	Plain light colour (white or light grey)
Head coverage	70–80% of frame height
Expression	Neutral, mouth closed
Glasses	Allowed if eyes are clear (no glare, no tint)
Photos required	2 identical prints
Standard	Schengen (applies to all EU/Schengen visas)

Completely Different Photo Size

This is the biggest issue for Brazilian applicants. Brazilian passport photos are 50 x 70mm (5 x 7cm). Portugal visa photos are 35 x 45mm, the Schengen standard covered in full in the Schengen visa photo guide. These are not just different sizes, they have different aspect ratios:

Brazilian passport: 5:7 ratio (taller, narrower)
Schengen/Portugal visa: 7:9 ratio (wider relative to height)

You cannot crop or resize a Brazilian passport photo into a valid Portugal visa photo. The framing, head position, and proportions will all be wrong. You need a completely new photo.

Do not crop your Brazilian passport photo

A 50×70mm photo cropped to 35×45mm will cut off part of your head or leave the face too small in the frame. The aspect ratios are fundamentally different. Start fresh.

Side-by-Side Comparison: BR Passport vs. Portugal Visa

Brazilian Passport	50 × 70mm · White background · 70–80% head coverage
Portugal Visa (Schengen)	35 × 45mm · Plain light background · 70–80% head coverage

The head coverage ratio is actually the same (70–80%), and the background rule is compatible too: both want a plain light background. The real difference is the frame size, 50×70mm versus 35×45mm.

Background: a Plain Light Colour

The Schengen standard asks for a plain light-coloured background, and white qualifies, the same as a Brazilian passport photo. So the background is not the thing that trips Brazilian applicants up; the size is. White, off-white, and light grey all pass, as long as the background is even and free of shadow.

If you go to a photo studio in Brazil, ask for a Schengen visa photo at 35×45mm (“foto para visto Schengen, 35x45mm”). The size is what local studios get wrong, since they default to the 50×70mm Brazilian passport format.

What’s Allowed and What’s Not

Not Allowed

✕ Sunglasses or tinted lenses
✕ Glasses with glare or heavy frames covering the eyes
✕ Colored contact lenses
✕ Smiling or open mouth
✕ Hair covering eyebrows or face
✕ Hats, caps, or non-religious headwear
✕ 50×70mm Brazilian passport photos (wrong size)

Allowed

✓ Prescription glasses, if eyes are visible with no glare or tint
✓ Religious headwear (face must remain fully visible)
✓ Light, natural makeup
✓ Hearing aids
✓ Recent photo (taken within last 6 months)

Where to Apply: VFS Global and Portuguese Consulates

Brazil has the largest community of Portuguese visa applicants in the world, thanks to shared language and historical ties. The CPLP (Community of Portuguese Language Countries) gives Brazilians certain immigration advantages, including easier paths for some visa categories.

VFS Global Locations in Brazil

VFS Global handles Portugal visa applications across Brazil:

São Paulo: busiest center, handles the majority of applications
Rio de Janeiro: second largest processing center
Brasília: serves the capital region
Additional centers in other major cities

Book appointments at vfsglobal.com. Appointments fill quickly, especially for D7 and D8 visa categories, book at least 2-3 weeks ahead.

Portuguese Consulates

You can also apply directly at Portuguese consulates:

São Paulo: Consulado-Geral de Portugal
Rio de Janeiro: Consulado-Geral de Portugal
Brasília: Embassy of Portugal
Curitiba, Salvador, Belém, Recife: additional consulates

Portuguese speakers have a significant advantage here, all consulate and VFS staff communicate in Portuguese, and all forms and documents are available in Portuguese.

Language advantage

Unlike applicants from other countries, Brazilians can navigate the entire Portugal visa process in Portuguese. All VFS Global forms, consulate communications, and SEF (immigration service) documents are in Portuguese. This makes the process significantly smoother.

Common Mistakes Brazilian Applicants Make

1. Using a 50×70mm Brazilian passport photo. This is the most common mistake. The Portugal visa requires 35×45mm. The sizes are not interchangeable.

2. Reusing the 50×70mm Brazilian size. A white background is fine, it meets the Schengen standard, so do not worry about the background colour. The mistake to avoid is the size: a Brazilian passport print is 50×70mm, and a Schengen visa needs 35×45mm. Always ask for the 35×45mm format.

3. Glasses with glare or tint. Schengen visa photos do allow ordinary prescription glasses, but only if the eyes stay clearly visible with no reflection and no tint. A photo with lens glare, heavy frames over the eyes, or tinted lenses gets rejected. If in doubt, take the glasses off for the shot.

4. Submitting only 1 photo. Portugal visa applications require 2 identical photos. Print two copies before your appointment.

5. Paying R$ 40–80 at VFS for photos. VFS Global centers offer a photo service, but it’s significantly more expensive than preparing photos in advance.

Popular Portugal Visa Types for Brazilians

All of these require the same 35×45mm photo:

D7 (Passive Income Visa): for retirees and those with regular passive income. Very popular with Brazilians relocating to Portugal.
D8 (Digital Nomad Visa): for remote workers earning from non-Portuguese sources. Requires proof of minimum income (currently around EUR 3,510/month).
Work Visa: requires a job offer from a Portuguese employer.
Student Visa: for enrollment in Portuguese universities. The shared language makes Portugal a top destination for Brazilian students.
Family Reunification: for joining family members already in Portugal.

CPLP advantage

As a CPLP citizen, Brazilians have access to certain simplified immigration procedures in Portugal. Check the latest SEF/AIMA regulations for your specific visa category, benefits can include reduced processing times and additional pathways not available to non-CPLP nationals.

Where to Get Portugal Visa Photos in Brazil

Method	Price	Time
1 Dollar Passport Photo	~R$ 5 ($1)	3 minutes
Local photo studio	R$ 20–50	15–30 min
VFS Global photo booth	R$ 40–80	5 min (at appointment)

If you visit a local studio, tell them: “Foto para visto Schengen, 35x45mm, fundo claro.” (Schengen visa photo, 35x45mm, light background.) Many studios know the Brazilian passport format but not the Schengen standard, so be specific about the size.

Timeline and Planning

Portugal visa processing from Brazil typically takes 15–30 working days depending on the visa type. D7 and D8 visas can take longer during peak periods. Get your photos ready before booking your VFS appointment, do not leave it for the day of.

Bring 2 printed photos (35×45mm) on matte or glossy paper. Print at any photo printing service, most Brazilian “casas de fotografia” can print to this size if you provide the digital file.

Sources: SEF/AIMA — Portugal Immigration, VFS Global Portugal Visa — Brazil, Portuguese Government — Visa Requirements

Portugal Visa Photo Requirements for Brazilian Applicants