Senegal entry requirements for Portugal passport holders
Updated weekly · Last reviewed June 28, 2026·View sources
No visa required
90 days
Max stay
90 days
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked
Portuguese passport holders can enter Senegal without a visa for stays up to 90 days. This policy applies to tourism, business, and short visits. Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months from your date of entry.
Apply for Senegal eVisaOfficial portal: Senegal eVisa Portal
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Valid passport Must cover your entire stay in Senegal | Your passport needs at least one blank page for the entry stamp. Senegal does not require 6 months of validity beyond your departure date — just enough to cover your stay. Airlines at Lisbon and Porto check this before boarding. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Proof you will leave Senegal within 90 days | Immigration at Blaise Diagne Airport (DSS) asks for a return or onward ticket on arrival. Budget airlines like Transair and Air Senegal enforce this strictly at check-in. Have a printed or digital copy ready. | Recommended |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel booking or host invitation letter | Officers occasionally ask where you are staying, especially if you arrive without a hotel booking. A printed reservation confirmation or a letter from your host with their address works. Have it accessible on your phone. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Show you can cover your stay | Senegal does not publish a fixed minimum amount, but carrying around 500 EUR in cash or having a credit card with a recent statement helps. ATMs at the airport dispense XOF (West African CFA francs). | Recommended |
Passport validity counts from arrival day
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after the day you land in Senegal. If it expires sooner, renew it before you go.
No visa, no fee, no forms
Portuguese passport holders get a free 90-day stamp on arrival. No application, no payment, no hassle.
What happens at the border
1
Arrive at the airport in Senegal
You'll land at Blaise Diagne International Airport (DSS) in Dakar. Follow signs to 'Immigration' or 'Passport Control'.
2
Queue at immigration
Join the queue for foreign passports. Have your passport, boarding pass, and return ticket ready. The officer will check your passport validity and may ask about your stay.
3
Get your entry stamp
The officer will stamp your passport with a 90-day visa-free entry. No fee, no forms. This usually takes 1-2 minutes.
4
Collect your luggage and exit
After immigration, head to baggage claim, then customs. You're free to go.
Download Senegal Entry Checklist
PDF · Portugal Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated June 28, 2026
Overstay calculator
Enter your arrival date and we'll tell you exactly when you need to leave.
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Tourist visa (single entry)
Max stay90 days
Validity3 months from issue
Cost50,000 XOF (~$80 USD)
Apply at Senegalese embassy in Lisbon or online. Requires passport, photo, itinerary.
Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay90 days per entry
Validity6 months
Cost100,000 XOF (~$160 USD)
Allows multiple entries. Useful for regional travel.
Long-stay visa (visa de long séjour)
Max stay1 year
Validity1 year
Cost200,000 XOF (~$320 USD)
Requires proof of purpose (work, study, family). Apply at embassy.
work visa
Carte de Séjour Temporaire (Travailleur)
1 year, renewable
~200,000 XOF (~$320 USD) + employer sponsorship
For those with a job offer in Senegal. Requires employer to apply for work permit. Allows long-term residence.
student visa
Carte de Séjour Étudiant
1 year, renewable annually
~50,000 XOF (~$80 USD) + proof of enrollment
For students enrolled at a recognized Senegalese institution. Requires acceptance letter and proof of funds.
investor visa
Carte de Résident (Investisseur)
2 years, renewable
~500,000 XOF (~$800 USD) + minimum investment of 50 million XOF
For investors creating jobs or investing in key sectors. Requires business plan and proof of funds.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Overstay fine per dayMaximum cap of 500,000 XOF (~$800 USD). Pay at immigration office before departure. | 5,000 XOF (~$8 USD) per day |
Common reasons for entry denial
No return ticket30%
Insufficient funds25%
Suspicious travel pattern20%
Approval probability calculator
Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.
Transiting through Senegal
No transit visa needed
Portuguese passport holders transiting through Senegal do not need a transit visa if staying airside and not passing through immigration.
Airside transitAllowed up to 24h
Exceptions & conditions
- If you need to leave the airport or collect luggage, you must clear immigration and may need a visa.
Transit hubsBlaise Diagne International Airport (DSS), Dakar
Health & vaccines for Senegal
Required for entry
Yellow FeverRequired if arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. Proof of vaccination (ICVP) may be requested.
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidEssentialRoutine vaccines (MMR, DTP, polio)EssentialRabiesConsiderMeningococcal meningitisConsider
Health risks
MalariaHigh risk
Present throughout the country, especially in rural areas. Prophylaxis recommended.
Dengue feverModerate risk
Mosquito-borne; outbreaks occur in urban areas.
Food/waterborne diseasesHigh risk
Common; avoid tap water and street food.
Malaria risk: high
High risk nationwide, especially in rural areas. Prophylaxis (e.g., atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline) strongly recommended.
Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.
Immigration offices for extensions
Dakar
Direction de l'Immigration et du Contrôle des Frontières
Route de l'Aéroport, Dakar
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00
Main office for visa extensions and overstay fines. Bring passport, photos, and fee.
Saint-Louis
Service Régional de l'Immigration
Boulevard de l'Indépendance, Saint-Louis
Mon–Fri 08:30–15:30
Handles extensions for northern region. Limited services.
Practical information for PT travellers
Country basics
CapitalDakar
LanguageFrench
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS visitors can drive with a valid US license for up to 90 days; an IDP is recommended.
Money
CurrencyWest African CFA franc (XOF)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 574.19 XOF
Time zone
Local timeUTC+0
vs New York+5h
vs Los Angeles+8h
Electricity
Voltage230V / 50Hz
Plug types
C,D,E,FTypes C, D, E, and F; Type C is most common.
⚠ US adapter needed
Water & health
Tap water
Not safe — use bottled
Tap water is not safe to drink; stick to bottled or boiled water.
Emergency numbers
Frequently asked questions
No, you don't need a visa. Portuguese citizens get a 90-day visa-free stay for tourism, business, or short visits. Just show up with a valid passport.
Up to 90 days per entry. The 90 days start from the day you arrive. You cannot extend this stay — if you want to stay longer, you'd need to apply for a visa or leave and re-enter.
No, the visa-free stay is not extendable. If you need more time, you must apply for a visa at a Senegalese embassy before traveling or leave the country and re-enter.
Your passport (valid 6+ months), a return or onward ticket, and sometimes proof of accommodation. Travel insurance is not required but recommended. No visa application or fee.
No, there's no visa on arrival. You get visa-free entry automatically — no forms, no payment, just a stamp.
You'll likely be denied boarding by the airline or refused entry at immigration. Renew your passport before traveling.
Yellow fever vaccination is recommended but not required for entry from Portugal. Check with your doctor about routine vaccines and malaria prophylaxis.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on June 28, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.