What official sources say
The Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa portal (Vistos), on its short-stay visa required documentation page, includes the item ‘Travel reservation (return ticket)’ in its list of documents.
At EU level, Annex II of the Visa Code refers to any other appropriate document indicating the envisaged travel plans, and Article 14(1)(d) requires information allowing the consulate to assess your intention to leave before the visa expires. Neither names a flight reservation specifically.
Good to know for Portugal
Check the checklist of the Portuguese consulate or visa centre handling your application. The portal page was the only Portuguese official page we could read, and we could not confirm whether a reservation is accepted instead of a paid ticket.
Step by step: using a flight reservation
- Check the official checklist for your application and ask your application centre what they accept.
- Search flights on Visa Flight Pass with your real route and dates.
- Choose a flight and click Book for Visa proof. Only flights the airline lets us hold are offered.
- Enter each traveller exactly as in the passport.
- Pay the service fee and receive the reservation PDF by email.
- Attach the PDF unaltered to your application.
Timing
Airline holds are short, typically from about a day to a few days. Apply while the reservation is still valid, or ask your application centre whether it must be active on your appointment date.
Limits and honesty
A reservation is not a ticket: you cannot fly on it. Use real names and never edit the PDF. Requirements differ between embassies, consulates and application centres, and some ask for a paid ticket. No document guarantees a visa or entry. Always confirm against the checklist for your own application.
Search your flight
Find a flight to Portugal that can be held, and get your reservation by email.
Search flightsSources
- Short Stay Visa, required documentation (Vistos, Portugal MFA) - Lists travel reservation (return ticket)
- Visa Code (Reg. 810/2009) Annex II, via legislation.gov.uk - Any other appropriate document indicating the envisaged travel plans
- Visa Code (Reg. 810/2009) Article 14, via legislation.gov.uk - Information to assess intention to leave