Consulate General of Portugal in Cape Town

Address, contact details, consular services and visa applications: everything you need before contacting this post.

Information sourced from the official Portuguese government website.

Address and contact details

Address
Suite 1005, Standard Bank Center, Main Tower,10th Floor, Hertzog Boulevard, 8001 CapeTown ou CapeTown P.O. Box 3433, C.T. 8000
Directions (opens in a new tab)
Fax
+(27 21) 4180084
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The consular post

General Consulate: what does this post do?

Operating under the oversight of a Consul, it serves as a one-stop centre for all consular affairs, similar to a Consular Section. These centres tend to be larger and physically separate from the Embassies, yet remain under the supervision of the country's Ambassador. They primarily operate in major cities with substantial Portuguese Diasporas, which are not necessarily the capital city. Additionally, they offer Visa services, utilizing either VFS or E-Visa, subject to the specific country.

Services

What documents can you request here?

These are the most common consular services. Check with the post which services it offers and whether you need an appointment.

  • Passport services

    Application for a new passport, renewal of an existing passport, and sometimes emergency travel documents.

  • Visas

    Application for various types of visas to enter Portugal, including tourist, short-stay and long-stay visas.

    All available visas in Portugal

    What you need to know about AIMA

  • Consular registration

    Registration of Portuguese citizens residing abroad.

  • Citizen Card

    Application or renewal of the Portuguese Citizen Card, which serves as an identification document in Portugal.

  • Civil registry

    Registration of marriages, births and deaths, and the corresponding certificates.

  • Notary services

    Notarization of documents, certification of photocopies, authentication of signatures and powers of attorney.

  • Voter registration

    Registration and information on voting abroad in Portuguese elections.

  • Consular assistance

    Assistance in emergencies, such as accidents, illnesses or arrests of Portuguese nationals abroad.

  • Tax Identification Number (NIF)

    A Portuguese tax number, needed for many economic and legal activities in Portugal.

    Get your Portuguese NIF online

Visas

Where to apply for a visa?

Visas outsourced to VFS Global

VFS Global handles all operational elements of the visa application process for this consular representation, apart from the review and approval stages. This set-up helps the consulate process a high number of applications efficiently, as it continues to have control over the issuance of visas. This system is designed to make the process smoother.

The visa application centre

VFS Global centre · Cape Town

Address

Visa Application Centre8th Floor 2 Long Street, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa

Service fees

This Visa Application Centre has an additional fee requirement

Service Fee
ZAR 634,49
Mode of payment
Credit or Debit card and cash deposit

Opening hours

Business hours
Tuesday to Friday
08:00 - 12:30 |13:30 - 17:00
Submission hours
Tuesday and Thursday
08:00 to 12:30 and 13:30 to 15:00
Passport Collection
Tuesday and Thursday
10:00 to 12:30 and 13:30 to 16:00
Access to the centre

Please note that access to the Visa Application Centre is restricted to visa applicants only. The only exceptions to this policy are:

Children less than 18 years of age need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Elderly or disabled applicants or those with medical condition who may require assistance in order to submit their applications should advise the security staff on arrival at the Visa Application Centre.

Mobile phones are permitted in the Visa Application Centre, but they must be switched to silent mode and put away when you are being served at the counter.

Under no circumstances is photography, filming or audio recording permitted inside the Visa Application Centre.

Only one airline cabin size bag 45 cm x 30 cm x 20 cm (18” x 12” x 8”) per applicant is permitted in the Visa Application Centre. Larger bags cannot be taken into the Visa Application Centre and must be stored elsewhere.

For security reasons the following items will not be permitted inside the Visa Application Centre.

All battery operated or electronic items such cameras, tablets, audio/video cassettes, compact discs, MP3s, floppies, laptops, or portable music players, hard disk drive (HDDs), pen/ thumb drives, spy devices, audio recorders, or other devices which can hinder the centre’s functioning.

Sealed envelopes or packages.

Any inflammable item such as matchboxes/ lighters/ electric cigarettes /fuel.

Any sharp objects such as scissors, pen knives or nail filers.

Bags and personal belongings of applicants, except for small hand bags.

Food and drink items.

Weapons, weapon - like objects or explosive material of any kind.

Other items may be prohibited based on security staff discretion.

Please note:The Visa Application Centre is unable to store prohibited items. Applicants should make other arrangements to store these belongings before they enter the Visa Application Centre.

All Visa Application Centres are under 24 hours CCTV surveillance. The images are constantly recorded for the purposes of crime prevention, detection and public safety.

In the interest of safety and security, we reserve the right to conduct random bag searches of applicants and visitors.

Our staff have the right to work without fear of abuse or intimidation. Threatening or abusive words or behaviour towards our staff will not be tolerated under any circumstances.

The Visa Application Centre have access ramps for wheelchairs. Customers who have a disability or need assistance are encouraged to bring someone to assist them throughout the application process. Lifts are also accessible when necessary. Please note that our staff will be available to assist any customers with special needs.

Good to know

Certified service providers have been authorized by Portugal in several cities to receive visa applications, which ensures simpler accessibility for applicants and fosters faster processing. This approach amplifies geographical spread, allowing the service to handle a higher number of applicants efficiently.

Contracts have been signed by Portugal in 25 different nations, resulting in a geographical reach across 89 cities.

Moving to Portugal

What are the Portuguese formalities to relocate to Portugal?

Portugal offers several visa options for those looking to relocate from South Africa. Before applying for any visa, you’ll need to obtain two essential items.

  • Portuguese Tax Number (NIF): a unique tax identification number required for financial transactions in Portugal. You can obtain it at any tax office or through a fiscal representative.

  • Portuguese Bank Account: major banks include Millennium BCP, Novo Banco and Santander. We can help you get a bank account in Portugal.

The main visa types available from South Africa:

The application usually goes through the Portuguese consulate of your home country if you are not from South Africa. Most visas first grant temporary residence, which can lead to permanent residence after five years. Requirements and processing times change: check them before applying.

South Africa · 6 posts

Other Portuguese consular posts in this country

Consulates, consular sections and honorary consulates: choose the post closest to you.

Frequently asked questions

Your questions about this consular post

What services does the Consulate General of Portugal in Cape Town provide?

The Consulate General of Portugal in Cape Town provides visa services for Portugal, passport services, consular registration, citizen cards, civil registry services, notary services, and assistance for Portuguese nationals abroad.

How can I apply for a Portuguese visa at this consulate?

To apply for a Portuguese visa, you need to schedule an appointment, prepare required documents (passport, photos, proof of accommodation, financial means), and submit your application. Processing times vary by visa type. AnchorLess can help you prepare your documents.

Can I get a Portuguese NIF (Tax Number) at this consulate?

While some consulates offer limited NIF services, the easiest way to get your Portuguese NIF is online through AnchorLess. We handle the entire process remotely, saving you time and visits to the consulate.

What documents do I need for a Portuguese visa application in 2026?

Required documents typically include: valid passport, completed application form, passport photos, proof of accommodation in Portugal, travel insurance, proof of financial means, and round-trip reservation. Specific requirements vary by visa type.

How long does visa processing take at Portuguese consulates?

Processing times vary: Schengen visas take 15–30 days, residence visas (D-type) can take 60–90 days. We recommend applying well in advance of your planned travel date.

Want to know more? Read our complete NIF guide

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EU/EEA Citizens

Moving to Portugal as an EU citizen? Start with these essential guides:

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Non-EU Citizens

Need a visa to live in Portugal? Discover your options:

AnchorLess is a private and independent service provider, not affiliated with the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs or its embassies and consulates. The information on this page comes from the official Portuguese government website: check it with the post before you go. Our service fees are always shown separately.

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AnchorLess is not a bank, accountant, tax advisor, investment advisor, or law firm, nor are we a government or official government website. We act as an intermediary, helping connect you with accredited professionals and streamlining administrative processes for your relocation in Europe.

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