French Embassy in Portugal: Services, Contacts and How It Works

The French Embassy in Portugal, located in the historic Palácio Marquês de Abrantes in the Santos district of Lisbon, has a long history of supporting French residents and visitors. Operating since 1948, it is divided into two distinct entities: the Embassy and the Consulate. Each plays a different role and provides different services.

Below you will find a clear and updated guide explaining what each institution does, which services they offer, and how to contact them.

🏛️ The Embassy of France in Portugal

The Embassy has a primarily institutional and diplomatic role, acting as the official link between France and Portugal. For this reason, it is not the place where French citizens should go for most administrative matters — those are handled by the Consulate.

However, the Embassy does provide useful information, especially for:

• Portuguese citizens planning to travel or move to France

• French nationals considering living, working or studying in Portugal

Key resources available through the Embassy include:

• Information for those wishing to visit or live in Portugal (travel advice, export information, mobility)

• Information about the French presence in Portugal (schools, institutes, associations, cultural networks)

• Official events and news

• Press and Communication services

🛂 The Consulate of France in Portugal

The Consulate is where French citizens living or staying in Portugal handle most of their administrative needs. It is the institution responsible for maintaining the link between French nationals and their home country.

✅ Main consular services include:

• Issuing and renewing passports

• Issuing French national ID cards

• Civil status procedures (births, marriages, divorces, deaths)

• Consular registration and military service

• Registration on electoral lists and voting in national elections

• Issuing certificates and official documents

• Issuing notarial acts

• Information on scholarships

• Information on employment and vocational training

The Embassy’s official website (in French) provides the full list of consular services.

🌍 Consular Agencies in Portugal

In addition to the main Consulate in Lisbon, France also has several consular agencies across Portugal. These are headed by honorary consuls, who help protect French citizens and support local administrative needs.

Current consular agencies are located in:

• Porto

• Funchal

• Ponta Delgada

• Tavira

• Coimbra

• Leiria

These agencies do not replace the Consulate but provide local assistance and facilitate certain procedures.

📞 French Embassy in Portugal – Contacts

Address: Rua de Santos‑o‑Velho, 5 – 1249‑079 Lisbon

General phone: (+351) 213 939 100 Emergency phone: (+351) 966 160 701 Fax: (+351) 213 939 150

Email: ambafrance@hotmail.com

Official website: https://pt.ambafrance.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ambassade.france.portugal/

Twitter: @FrancePortugal1

Newsletter: https://pt.ambafrance.org/Subscricao-de-newsletter

🕒 Opening Hours

Monday to Friday: 08:30 – 12:00 (Closed on weekends and public holidays)

🚇 How to Get to the French Embassy in Lisbon

Train:

• Cascais Line – Santos station

Tram:

• 15E – Santos

• 25E – Santos‑o‑Velho

• 28E – São Bento / Poço dos Negros

Bus:

• 713, 714, 727 – Santos‑o‑Velho

• 706 – Conde‑Barão