The staff seem to think that providing a service is optional and that the population they are paid to serve are a mere inconvenience.
An institution that should reinforce someone's connection to their roots, achieves the exact opposite. Every time i visit the consulate i leave frustrated at the idiotic processes and policies and one step closer to renouncing citizenship.
Portuguese Consulate
3 Portland Place, W1B 1PR
Address
3 Portland Place
Marylebone
London
W1B 1PR
Opening Times
Monday
Opens 09:30 - Closes 13:00
Opens 14:00 - Closes 17:30
Tuesday
Opens 09:30 - Closes 13:00
Opens 14:00 - Closes 17:30
Wednesday
Opens 09:30 - Closes 13:00
Opens 14:00 - Closes 17:30
Thursday
Opens 09:30 - Closes 13:00
Opens 14:00 - Closes 17:30
Friday
Opens 09:30 - Closes 13:00
Opens 14:00 - Closes 17:30
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
Closed
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0.01 miles
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0.15 miles
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0.15 miles
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Useful Tips from AIL Users
Bring a book as it's quite a wait!
Apply for British Citizenship, especially if, like me, you have lived in the UK for many, many years. It isn't cheap but it's alot easier.
Try and speak some Portuguese!
Arrive as early as you can for your appointment and you might even get seen before the appointed time.
Take a book, just in case!
User Reviews
Paulo
from London
from London
Apr 26, 2023
JCS
from London
from London
Mar 9, 2023
JCS, from London,
London Portuguese Consulate and Portuguese Government all are just incompetents
Their services and system are purely disgraceful.
London Portuguese Consulate and Portuguese Government all are just incompetents
Their services and system are purely disgraceful.
Lillian
from London
from London
Jan 27, 2023
1 heart rating is still too high. This is is the worst embassy, system, people, you name it. Not only is the online system so backward like 3rd world, the embassy is the same including the Portuguese people working there. Every time me or my family members have to re-apply or go to the embassy every few years... One of us ends up in tears. Its feels almost like abuse.
We are now in the year 2022, for goodness sake update your system appropriately! This isn't normal! People are desperate to get their passports and some have family emergencies! I actually missed a family members funeral because of this nonsense, months ago and I'm still waiting to get my passport sorted it feels impossible!
We are now in the year 2022, for goodness sake update your system appropriately! This isn't normal! People are desperate to get their passports and some have family emergencies! I actually missed a family members funeral because of this nonsense, months ago and I'm still waiting to get my passport sorted it feels impossible!
Bob
from Winchester
from Winchester
Jul 31, 2022
This is the worst customer service I have ever experienced!! Like many Portuguese South Africans living in the UK I have also had the misfortune of attending the South African consulate; the Portuguese experience is so much worse! ?
I have been trying to renew my passport since January and have been through the unanswered phone calls and unanswered emails described in previous posts. I have on 2 occasions managed to speak to someone who can only refer me back to the online system which does not have appointments! No pride and no accountability!
I have been trying to renew my passport since January and have been through the unanswered phone calls and unanswered emails described in previous posts. I have on 2 occasions managed to speak to someone who can only refer me back to the online system which does not have appointments! No pride and no accountability!
Armando Luis Parkie Castel Branco
from london
from london
Jul 30, 2022
it not possible to get a appoiment online it said try it again they never anwser the phone and security \guard from the consular are very aggressive and inpolite
i gonna make everything that this building is gonna go way it not a service for citzen it just a waste of portuguese taxpayer there are not there for they citizen i had 3 emegercy,s they never help i had to wait 1 year to get a appoiment for a citizen card i had to call 100 x a day write email and turn up in oxford circle the need to change the all building with stuff special the security stuff the black guy with tattoo was rude to me and he said to my wife she should fuck off because she was asking to talk to with a manager i am gonna make a official complaint to portugal head office i am ready to get out of my citizen for this even my all family from portugal my father was one of the president of porto and my granddad invented the medication for hay fiver and more the all world is proud of my family we even have a all street named after my family in st maria faro lagos and most of my family are based in portugal but i am so disapointed from the portuguese gov. with the Consular with incompitent worker and rude and no respectful worker try to attack my wife i am gonna call the gov. tommorow and request the money back from my grandad they been sale all his books from my fattamily recipe and i never got any money i had my id with me and they never let me in the building saying i need a appoiment and it imposible to get a appoiment the worker from inside don,t want to talk with you when they outside smoking cigarett i am sick out of this building and attitude every who wanna help to get a better service for portuguese citizen please complain and comment
i gonna make everything that this building is gonna go way it not a service for citzen it just a waste of portuguese taxpayer there are not there for they citizen i had 3 emegercy,s they never help i had to wait 1 year to get a appoiment for a citizen card i had to call 100 x a day write email and turn up in oxford circle the need to change the all building with stuff special the security stuff the black guy with tattoo was rude to me and he said to my wife she should fuck off because she was asking to talk to with a manager i am gonna make a official complaint to portugal head office i am ready to get out of my citizen for this even my all family from portugal my father was one of the president of porto and my granddad invented the medication for hay fiver and more the all world is proud of my family we even have a all street named after my family in st maria faro lagos and most of my family are based in portugal but i am so disapointed from the portuguese gov. with the Consular with incompitent worker and rude and no respectful worker try to attack my wife i am gonna call the gov. tommorow and request the money back from my grandad they been sale all his books from my fattamily recipe and i never got any money i had my id with me and they never let me in the building saying i need a appoiment and it imposible to get a appoiment the worker from inside don,t want to talk with you when they outside smoking cigarett i am sick out of this building and attitude every who wanna help to get a better service for portuguese citizen please complain and comment
Vieira
from Essex
from Essex
Jun 15, 2022
Cannot get appointment for over 6 months to renew passport. Now we have a family emergency to attend to. Consulate won't assist without supporting documentation which has taken us over 3 days to obtain from the Intensive High Care Department in the hospital. Then get told now we just have to wait for it it be reviewed before decision gets made ETA unknown. ''When you get called with information that is when you get the information'' is what I was told. Families dealing with life and death situations should not have to go through this if they have followed all the consulate procedures. Where is the human decency and compassion. Had efficiency been better we would not be in this situation! They wont allow you to book appointment if you have more than 6 months on passport. You start applying 6 months in advance then no appointments given and then you must contend with just rude unhelpful unsympathetic staff members that cannot action your queries as they are not qualified and cannot transfer you to someone else either - Heaven forbid they have this added feature included in their phone packages - not possible. THEN you sit on a call in the queue and every 40 minutes it disconnects you and you have to start all over again. Keep calm and don't get upset.....you have to wait for consulate to decide the level of importance during a family members final moments, they have the right to decide if and when urgency is required and on their time, not your time. Atleast have the courtesy to help in emergencies if you cannot supply appointments in the 6 month renewal time period that you have set. A complete review of procedures are needed immediately.
Ana da Silva
from Oxford, Oxfordshire
from Oxford, Oxfordshire
Mar 3, 2022
Absolute Disgrace!
I have been trying to renew my passport and ID doc (and my son's)
It is impossible to speak to anyone - believe me I have tried (4 separate phone calls on hold waiting each time for 40mins before being cut off)
4 ticket requests for an appointment logged - still waiting
and all this since Oct 2021 :(
what a mess!
I have been trying to renew my passport and ID doc (and my son's)
It is impossible to speak to anyone - believe me I have tried (4 separate phone calls on hold waiting each time for 40mins before being cut off)
4 ticket requests for an appointment logged - still waiting
and all this since Oct 2021 :(
what a mess!
john Ribeiro
from Retired
from Retired
Oct 7, 2021
I was one of the lucky ones that was able to renew my ID on line and received on the confort of my house delivered by the Post. A different story is been with the renewal of my passaport. After several attempts manage to secure an appointement (agendamento) for February 2022, six months after I requested. When I receive the e-mail accidentaly deleted and I can not retrieve it, now i do not know when I need to be there, only know that is on February 2022, day and time do not remember. I tried to contact the consulate by e-mail never got a reply, try the phone twice waiting 28 and 32 minutes keep getting a recorder, the second time after waiting past 30 minutes the call was disconnet it. I got better service during the lockdown, when my questions got prompt answers.
A.S.
from London
from London
Sep 20, 2021
After I viisit Portugal and tried to renew my child`s expired id, now I understand not only to consulate, whole system is completly crap! We have to travel from upside of Porrugal to downside app.200 km each way just because no appontment was left. Look like whole Portuguse nation everyday renewing their ID :)But of course each office was full of old ladies, instead of doing their work they were chatting until lunch time , which is nerly 2 hours, i called siesta, they were telling us come tomorrow, after, another tomorrow, just because we couldnt make appointment earlier, which is has to be year early.But there was only few people you could see they had plenty of time to help, but preferd delay By the way after 2-3 hours journey we manage to done it, but been told we have to collect them from London, we were able to get them when they are ready while on holiday. but no, their stupid system worked other way around.Now we got notification but not able to collect ID, again we have to book, but there is nothing, waiting on phone for hours but no one answer, Governments and consulates are for people, not people are for you guys.You supposed to make your own peoples life is easy, not difficult.On your utopia you created system but it never works.Delaying works for following days doesnt work, do in on the time.You must bu joking for giving appintment to renew ID only for after 8 months!!!!! I am not Portuguese, what make me feel sorry most of your people thinks thats normal while you are threating them that bad. You dont deserved even 1 but there is not minus -1000
Tony McMahon
from London
from London
Jun 23, 2021
The website is impossible to navigate. For example, I'm trying to get my first ever Citizen Card having got nationality through my mother. So, the website asks me for my current Citizen Card number to make an appointment online. Of course, I don't have one. I've never had a Citizen Card.
So then I have to call the Consulate and the amount of time it takes to get answered is legendary.
There is no concept of customer service. It's been known for years how bad the service is and yet this is how Portugal wants to project itself to the United Kingdom. As an inefficient, bureaucratic nation with a 1970s attitude to customers.
So then I have to call the Consulate and the amount of time it takes to get answered is legendary.
There is no concept of customer service. It's been known for years how bad the service is and yet this is how Portugal wants to project itself to the United Kingdom. As an inefficient, bureaucratic nation with a 1970s attitude to customers.
Eurico
from London
from London
Oct 29, 2019
For the past 2 months I have been online trying to get an appointment to register the birth of my son without success,however I do not blame at all the system used by the Portuguese Consulate in London. The Portuguese Consulate uses the natural principal which is natural selection where only the strong survive.This means that those who were able to successfully pass this ordeal will pass on their genes to their offspring meaning that we will have individuals that are fitter with better potential for survival. The Portuguese Consulate has always been concerned about the future of our people so they use this natural system because its goal is to build a much stronger and fitter Portuguese community in London.
Joe Goncalves
from London
from London
May 15, 2019
Hi all, please help, the Portuguese Consulate lock their website so you can't book an appointment online to renew your passport, they have not changed this and misslead by saying its open at 4pm, please can we all write a letter to the head of the EU & the Minister of Foreign Affairs in Portugal, also as its in London the British Prime Minister in UK, then also lets consider another protest in London please. Its our right to a EU and Portuguese Passport, I saw someone break down at their offices, please please can we all work together on this.
DV
from Swindon
from Swindon
Mar 23, 2019
Their online booking system is a joke. They 'open' their bookings only at 4pm and even after trying for a month you'll never succeed however, some clever persons are openly selling these (actually free) appointment(s) for exorbitant amounts. What's more surprising is that the Consulate is just not willing to pay heed to the matter!
Victor
from London
from London
Mar 12, 2019
The whole system
Is a joke. How is it that in 2019 they are still
Operating like this. Get better software you morons! Like a third world country
Is a joke. How is it that in 2019 they are still
Operating like this. Get better software you morons! Like a third world country
Gui P
from London UK
from London UK
Nov 15, 2018
It is just impossible to book a date for renewing my passport. I sent an email explaining I need to travel occasionally to work, and they responded that I need to show my flight ticket before booking. How can I buy my ticket or how can I travel in last minute without a passport?
Terrible, this consulate is a shame for the country. I've been trying for several days and my passport will expire soon.
Terrible, this consulate is a shame for the country. I've been trying for several days and my passport will expire soon.
Minnie
from London
from London
Oct 12, 2018
The message board here doesn't do enough justice to the service at the consulate. From my experience I didn't find it as bad as people has described! I have to agree that the online appointment system is terribly difficult to navigate and making an appointment requires you to basically go onto the page every day to hunt down a spot. BUT, the service at the consulate was fine as ever! I went to renew my BI card and the lady that served me was lovely - I had issues with my fingerprint a few times and she very patiently resolved it with professionalism, we even had a good laugh! The security at the door was helpful as it was my first time there and had not much idea about the procedure. General experience was good, just remember to bring a book as it's quite a wait!
Abs
from London
from London
Aug 12, 2018
A better or rather good way of getting help and advice for their citizens in the uk
In comparison to other embassies in the UK ours is the most ridiculous and impossible to get through or get any help. In today's new technology we shouldnt have to experience such frustration and humiliation to get simple help such renewing our documents in the uk
In comparison to other embassies in the UK ours is the most ridiculous and impossible to get through or get any help. In today's new technology we shouldnt have to experience such frustration and humiliation to get simple help such renewing our documents in the uk
Unknown
from London
from London
Jun 7, 2018
Worst place to be.after visiting the Portuguese consulate I now know why people hate portugese, coz of their stinky attitude.they have no respect for people.these people coming n working here at the portugese consulate in London shouldn’t forget they r not in Portugal to treat people this way.They are here in London and not knowing to speak proper English nor can understand and they have the odasity to ask people why can’t they speak or understand portugese.
Xander
from London
from London
Sep 12, 2017
It is impossible to make an online appointment and no one answers the phone. I've been trying for several months now to book an online appointment to renew my ID card without success. Even to reach the stage when you get a message saying that there are no appointments available is not a simple process and takes 3-4 steps. Extremely frustrating. There is a message saying that new appointments are released at 4pm every day, but, again, it is impossible to access it because the page becomes unresponsive as I guess that a bunch of people tries to access it at the same time.
Isabel
from London
from London
Aug 4, 2017
Impossible to make appointment online
I need to renew my passport soon. I have emailed the Portuguese consulate and was told to go online at 16.00 pm which as I work until 6pm I am not able to do it. I have asked friends to do it for me without any luck. By 16.01 either there are no appointments available or the online system freezes. I can’t continue to ask other people to deal with an issue that is mine and the Consulate.
The Consulate before introducing this unworkable system should have considered the following:
1. Not everyone has access or know how to use computer.
2. Not everyone is available at 16.00 to try to book an appointment
3. Consider opening appointments calendar for the next 6 months.
If the Consulate read this please re-consider changing your system to a workable and stress free.
I need to renew my passport soon. I have emailed the Portuguese consulate and was told to go online at 16.00 pm which as I work until 6pm I am not able to do it. I have asked friends to do it for me without any luck. By 16.01 either there are no appointments available or the online system freezes. I can’t continue to ask other people to deal with an issue that is mine and the Consulate.
The Consulate before introducing this unworkable system should have considered the following:
1. Not everyone has access or know how to use computer.
2. Not everyone is available at 16.00 to try to book an appointment
3. Consider opening appointments calendar for the next 6 months.
If the Consulate read this please re-consider changing your system to a workable and stress free.
Thomas Pereira
from LONDON
from LONDON
Aug 2, 2017
I have heard a lot of problems from this counselate , therefore i never went but most recently , one of my family friends had gone there , first of all he is over 60 years old and has his both BI and passport expired , looks like some lazy staff wanted to just do away from him and referred to him to the website for appointment , further this old person contacted me to take appointment and as usual the site says no appointments available by default , more over he is a heart patient and may need to travel urgently for medical reason . on certain circumstance as such it is mentioned that in a emergency appointment or ID can be issued , but he was sent back , he also had a counselate registration form that could be received and just filed in , but for that also was told to go home and mail it , that form has a signature field and how can one sign something and then scan and send it .let me try sending an email and see and if I face a problem , i shall report it in writing in Portugal .
Ana
from London
from London
Jun 30, 2017
I am Portuguese and have been told that I have to book online with only availability from September for passport and EU card renewal dice they have expired now. Have been advise to go to Portugal instead! Staff is a joke!!! They need to be sack - avoid it at all costs!
Joe Golzalves
from London
from London
Jun 20, 2017
Hi all. The Portuguese Consulate in London have locked their website, so you can not book an appointment online to renew your passport. This is what was told to me when I finally done my passport renewal. I had asked why I could not book an appointment. They lock the website and only release a few appointments each month. This is not a fair system. I had previously had a fight with two young men who refused to give me an appointment, they were just lazy. An older lady finally gave me an appointment in just two minutes and she was brilliant. The fear is this, without a passport in London you are stuck, you cant apply for a job nor leave the country. Best of luck
Trevor Mendes
from London
from London
May 17, 2017
It is just impossible to get a single appointment! no effort has been made by the authorities to mend their online systems to be more transparent and user friendly. The phone lines are no use either which would recommend online anyway. They seem to be only interested in VISA applications as per their notes. You will find yourself struggling to find a way to book a single appointment even if you are ready to book even 1-3 years or 100 years in the future - makes no difference. The Italian consulate in comparison puts this place to shame with the number of services they offer and convenience.
Saurabh
from London
from London
Apr 11, 2017
1) Portuguese Embassy does not accept cards...they only deal in cash!
2) Portuguese Embassy chooses to keep all the people (children, ladies, disabled, elderly) waiting outside in the cold.
3) Portuguese Embassy is spread over 3 floors with small floor plates, and the system of visitor visa on third floor and payments for it on the ground floor, then again to go up to the third floor to provide biometrics is absolutely state of the art.
4) The Portuguese Embassy website to book appointments has been hijacked by commercial agents who pre-book all the appointments a month in advance and wait for people to hire them. The explanation provided is they will be provided with a slot when someone cancels. These agents like most agents are using loopholes that the system allows, it is extremely important that the online system is redone so that agents are not able to take such advantage of the system.
5) Even when one goes to collect the processed documents, the embassy makes them Q.
2) Portuguese Embassy chooses to keep all the people (children, ladies, disabled, elderly) waiting outside in the cold.
3) Portuguese Embassy is spread over 3 floors with small floor plates, and the system of visitor visa on third floor and payments for it on the ground floor, then again to go up to the third floor to provide biometrics is absolutely state of the art.
4) The Portuguese Embassy website to book appointments has been hijacked by commercial agents who pre-book all the appointments a month in advance and wait for people to hire them. The explanation provided is they will be provided with a slot when someone cancels. These agents like most agents are using loopholes that the system allows, it is extremely important that the online system is redone so that agents are not able to take such advantage of the system.
5) Even when one goes to collect the processed documents, the embassy makes them Q.
Carina
from London
from London
Feb 2, 2017
Most horrific service I have ever encountered rude, no help or information. I will from now on make sure I can fly to ANY other country to have my passport updated.
deborah
from london
from london
Dec 8, 2016
have been waiting for over an hour for someone to pick up the phone...
David Earl
from Brighton
from Brighton
Mar 20, 2016
Needed a Power of Attorney signed. Impossible to get anything arranged by phone or online. Went to Consulate in person. They could not have been more helpful. We returned two hours later-we had other business in London- and within 30 minutes our document was signed,stamped and sealed.
if only their website was as good.
David and Linda
if only their website was as good.
David and Linda
LionelF
Nov 2, 2015
Went back again to get my passport renewed so as to travel outside the EU. Both the original application appointment as well as the collecting of the passport went very well.
I still have no idea what these other negative reviews are about. I've now been to the consulate 4 times in a few months and not once have I experienced aggressive behaviour or poor service. My mum has run separate appointments to me (different days) and she was pleasantly surprised at the easy process. It isn't perfect, but it is human and I felt rather proud to be Portuguese through the whole collective experience.
I still have no idea what these other negative reviews are about. I've now been to the consulate 4 times in a few months and not once have I experienced aggressive behaviour or poor service. My mum has run separate appointments to me (different days) and she was pleasantly surprised at the easy process. It isn't perfect, but it is human and I felt rather proud to be Portuguese through the whole collective experience.
Discontented Person
from London
from London
Sep 18, 2015
First of all your Security Guard needs to be taught some manners. He is the peoples first port of call. I found him to be very rude, arrogant and flippant. Secondly your staff in the back office need to be taught to serve the people efficiently and also be brought up to speed with the IT system at the Embassy. I found 3 people huddled around all starring at one officers screen. They all need lessons in speaking calmly with no frothing and spitting. I found one of the women there so aggressive in both her speech and her body language
Fernando
from London
from London
Jul 27, 2015
Totally useless service, the old system of getting a appointment mealy required turning up any day early and pick up a number. The new online system is a total joke. Failing to even get a appointment. How do you book a appointment when the consulate you want doesn't even appear? The staff also never answer the phone and the staff at the door are total clueless. Forget this place and make sure your documents are in order and just get it done in Portugal.
LionelF
Jul 15, 2015
Follow up to last week's consular visit on Wednesday. It turns out that on Thursday (the very next day) my letter from Lisbon was postmarked and posted to me in the UK. My postie dropped it through my letterbox on Monday morning.
I went to the consulate this morning with that letter containing the relevant PIN numbers. This makes it a week after my first visit and I pitched up without an appointment (you don't need one to collect your Cartao de Cidadao). I was in for about 30 minutes and left with my business concluded. Quick, efficient and friendly. I am truly impressed!
I went to the consulate this morning with that letter containing the relevant PIN numbers. This makes it a week after my first visit and I pitched up without an appointment (you don't need one to collect your Cartao de Cidadao). I was in for about 30 minutes and left with my business concluded. Quick, efficient and friendly. I am truly impressed!
LionelF
Jul 9, 2015
Wow, how different was my experience to these reviews. I made initial contact via email and wrote in English - responses were in Portuguese which is fair enough. Managed to work out how to select an available appointment time online, though it wasn't initially clear how to make it happen. I waited around 2 and a half months to apply for my Cartao Cidadao.
The dreaded front door guards where actually pleasant. Appointments ran about 30 minutes late, but the team dealing with us were efficient and pleasant despite a computer glitch. English and Portuguese were used all the way through. Nice
The dreaded front door guards where actually pleasant. Appointments ran about 30 minutes late, but the team dealing with us were efficient and pleasant despite a computer glitch. English and Portuguese were used all the way through. Nice
d.rodrigues
from london
from london
Mar 19, 2015
Can I just also add that there are posts on here dating from 2006!!! It is now 2015 and the consulate is still a disgrace! Call waiting can be upto 1hour . You can wait for weeks to receive a reply to your emails oh by the way all emails I have sent in English have never been responded to! You ask them a simple question and they respond in such a courtroom manner that your left clueless anyway. I'm Portuguese but sometimes wish there were English people working there or at least people who don't shout everytime they hear your baby cry!
Anonymous
Feb 16, 2015
My experience may be an anomaly... I had to go pick up my Portuguese ID card which I had applied for in another country. As it was a simple pick up, the process was fairly quick (45 minutes).
My Portuguese is not great and they did not wish to speak to me in English. I suppose this is fair enough as I really should have better Portuguese.
I did see many other people losing their temper though. The staff, towards these people, were quite rude and unable to help.
Getting in touch with the Consulate is difficult and this is an area that should be improved.
My Portuguese is not great and they did not wish to speak to me in English. I suppose this is fair enough as I really should have better Portuguese.
I did see many other people losing their temper though. The staff, towards these people, were quite rude and unable to help.
Getting in touch with the Consulate is difficult and this is an area that should be improved.
Senhor
from Bristol
from Bristol
Nov 16, 2014
Going to The Portuguese Consulate in London is a bit like a trip to hell. The staff are rude, impolite, lack a sense of humour, have no sense of time and efficiency and lack courtesy.
I think that the only way to improve this place is to sack the Numero Uno man who works there and get someone who has a better head on his shoulder. That should probably make all the other staff buckle their belts and be emphatic towards their clients.
After all, we are paying a rather high fee for the services rendered, so so why should we be treated like beggars with a begging bowl?
I think that the only way to improve this place is to sack the Numero Uno man who works there and get someone who has a better head on his shoulder. That should probably make all the other staff buckle their belts and be emphatic towards their clients.
After all, we are paying a rather high fee for the services rendered, so so why should we be treated like beggars with a begging bowl?
Not given
from Not given
from Not given
May 10, 2012
More staf and less paper work
Name: Not given
Location: Not given
Name: Not given
Location: Not given
Rui Giao
from watford
from watford
May 2, 2012
Starting from the chap at the entrance ,they can be rude in such a way that they can bring the wild side of anyone and face the abuse. I wonder if the consul or the ambassador bothers to read these reviews. The staff should be replaced by young and professional people from Portugal.
Name: Rui Giao
Location: watford
Name: Rui Giao
Location: watford
Upset portuguese in Londo
from London
from London
Apr 30, 2012
Ridiculous and unbelievable! All numbers are busy all the time, there's an absolute lack of information from the portuguese consulate. When searching on th internet for the Portugese Embassy it redirects to the Consulate. If yo get through good luck, I've been on hold longer than 1h!!!!
Name: Upset portuguese in Londo
Location: London
Name: Upset portuguese in Londo
Location: London
Isa
from Cambridge
from Cambridge
Apr 20, 2012
Try to call them twice and in both occassions nobody picked up the phone. In one occasion I have been waiting for more than an hour. I would suggest to employ more people and to have a clearer website. As a Portuguese citizen, I am really ashamed of such a poor service!Very unhelpful website.
Name: Isa
Location: Cambridge
Name: Isa
Location: Cambridge
12-4
Feb 10, 2012
Follow up to the 9/10 post below - We visited the London consulate on 7th Feb 2012 and received the new passport via DHL on the 10th Feb 2012. Amazing!!! They need to be praised otherwise they might have a relapse THANK YOU
12-4
Feb 9, 2012
Some maybe surprised at the high rating and I will explain. I am English with a Portuguese wife and we have been using the Portuguese Consulate in London for around 30 years. In the past it was simple terrible. One would have to arrive at around 6am to queue outside until they opened. If you were far back in the queue you wouldn't stand a chance of getting in. With this in mind I was worried that the same would apply this time when having to renew my wife's passport. I first wrote (in Portuguese) and got no reply. I then found the consulate's email address and emailed them and got a reply within 24 hours. I replied to their questions and was asked to suggest a convenient date and time for an appointment which I did and was duly given a convenient appointment. We turned up 10 minutes before the time and on entering the premises at 3 Portland Place were met by the obligatory Portuguese official sitting at a desk. He was polite but refused to allow me to accompany my wife - I waited by the desk. 45 minutes later wife appears - all done. Amazing!
During my wait I observed many people turning up to see the "man at the desk" and have these observations to make.
* If you are Portuguese you must speak Portuguese otherwise the reception is very cold to say the least. I cannot over emphasise this point. It is clear that they view this as a very serious issue.
* You MUST make an appointment NO APPOINTMENT NO CHANCE - if you write you must include a stamped self address envelope (I didn't and got no reply). Its best to email. If you are Portuguese you must write in your mother tongue otherwise NADA.
* If renewing a passport, there is no need for you to bring passport photos or birth certificate as they have a digital camera and access to the birth database in Portugal.
* Be polite - greet the "man at the desk" in Portuguese - make him feel comfortable. He has a tough job and he tries his best.
That's it - good luck
During my wait I observed many people turning up to see the "man at the desk" and have these observations to make.
* If you are Portuguese you must speak Portuguese otherwise the reception is very cold to say the least. I cannot over emphasise this point. It is clear that they view this as a very serious issue.
* You MUST make an appointment NO APPOINTMENT NO CHANCE - if you write you must include a stamped self address envelope (I didn't and got no reply). Its best to email. If you are Portuguese you must write in your mother tongue otherwise NADA.
* If renewing a passport, there is no need for you to bring passport photos or birth certificate as they have a digital camera and access to the birth database in Portugal.
* Be polite - greet the "man at the desk" in Portuguese - make him feel comfortable. He has a tough job and he tries his best.
That's it - good luck
Annoyed Port.Citizen
Nov 2, 2011
Most embrassing but it is true, the Portuguese Consulate is THE worst Consulate you can ever contact. The entire staff needs to be sacked & trained professionals need to be appointed. If you are a Citizen & need a new passport or Cartão de Cidadão, then your best bet is to find a cheap ticket to Lisbon & get it done there. A new paasport in Lisbon can be issued the same day.
I have given it 1* just because there is no 0* to select !!
I have given it 1* just because there is no 0* to select !!
Charmer27
Sep 8, 2011
I have made special effort to join this site to warn the public of the lazy, unprofessional and unhelpful attitude of the Portuguese Visa Section/Embassy. It is unbelievable they are allowed to operate this way. All I requested for was a Visa application form and instructions (over 2 weeks ago)to apply and all I was given was told was to email [email protected] and [email protected]. After over 2 weeks not one of them had the decency to reply or acknowledge my e-mail and I have a flight to catch by the end of Spetember. It appears that only a lady by the name of Estella is the only voice of this so called government dept. Although she tried her best to help, it was of no use to me as all she could suggest was to send e-mails here there and everywhere. Apparently it is not possible to speak to anyone else (maybe because they know that there are many angry people out there) other than her and all she is good for is to ask people to send e-mails. I have been advised by her to send any complaints (again by e-mail), this time to Jose Macedo Leao, which I will do, for what its worth. I hope that at least he will be able to get out of bed and reply to me as clearly the rest of the department are either lazy (susegado) or are still in bed.
If I ever kow of anyone wanting to visit Portugal for a holiday and they need a Visa, I will warn them off my experience as I wouldnt wish this on my friends.
I will off course be taking this up further with the Portuguese Authorities in Portugal but God help me if they have the same attitude as the staff in London. I have been playing by THEIR rules but it seems they don't know their own rules themselves!!
Is it surprising why Portugal is in so much debt, when they miss opportunities of embracing Tourism in this way? Come on Portugal ... WAKE UP !!!!
If I ever kow of anyone wanting to visit Portugal for a holiday and they need a Visa, I will warn them off my experience as I wouldnt wish this on my friends.
I will off course be taking this up further with the Portuguese Authorities in Portugal but God help me if they have the same attitude as the staff in London. I have been playing by THEIR rules but it seems they don't know their own rules themselves!!
Is it surprising why Portugal is in so much debt, when they miss opportunities of embracing Tourism in this way? Come on Portugal ... WAKE UP !!!!
LENE
Aug 16, 2011
I feel sad and ashamed to be Portuguese as I read all this!
I must admit it all being true though....I spent 4 months calling and emailing the Portuguese Embassy in London just to try to get an appointment! Then they send me an email asking me what I need, and another one just to ask me on which days I cannot come(this could have been done all in one email!)
Not to mention they made me wait half an hour each time I tried calling them, and don't even have voicemail so they can deliberately ignore us and not call us back!
On my last email I was given a code and a date to show up. Having arrived half an hour early I was amazed how and why I had to wait 4hours!!!???
I just wanted to apply for a passport, this process took 5minutes only by the way! My appointment was at 11 am, I waited patiently for 2 hours, then, ironically my number was almost due to appear on screen when the security asks us all to leave cause it's lunch time! I think they should pay us all lunch just for that!!!
I had to wait somewhere outside in the cold for 1 hour then returned and waited another half an hour.
After having done all the necessary procedures for the application I then had to wait another half an hour just to pay(one would think that at least for money the greedy Portuguese would have more staff at the font office!)
66 pounds of my hard earned money went to the Embassy for a document that God knows how long will take to be ready(I was told 10days but we all know how the Portuguese sistem works!)Try sorting a document in Portugal, it;s the same honestly!Plus, if you notice on the board once you walk in, it says that it is closed during portuguese AND english bank holidays!!!!
I would love to work there! By the way this is extremely slow because there isn't enough staff-unbelievable! with so many people unemployed!
If the other embassies have enough staff and good, fast service why can't us?
You better travel to Portugal if you need sth done like I read on one revi
I must admit it all being true though....I spent 4 months calling and emailing the Portuguese Embassy in London just to try to get an appointment! Then they send me an email asking me what I need, and another one just to ask me on which days I cannot come(this could have been done all in one email!)
Not to mention they made me wait half an hour each time I tried calling them, and don't even have voicemail so they can deliberately ignore us and not call us back!
On my last email I was given a code and a date to show up. Having arrived half an hour early I was amazed how and why I had to wait 4hours!!!???
I just wanted to apply for a passport, this process took 5minutes only by the way! My appointment was at 11 am, I waited patiently for 2 hours, then, ironically my number was almost due to appear on screen when the security asks us all to leave cause it's lunch time! I think they should pay us all lunch just for that!!!
I had to wait somewhere outside in the cold for 1 hour then returned and waited another half an hour.
After having done all the necessary procedures for the application I then had to wait another half an hour just to pay(one would think that at least for money the greedy Portuguese would have more staff at the font office!)
66 pounds of my hard earned money went to the Embassy for a document that God knows how long will take to be ready(I was told 10days but we all know how the Portuguese sistem works!)Try sorting a document in Portugal, it;s the same honestly!Plus, if you notice on the board once you walk in, it says that it is closed during portuguese AND english bank holidays!!!!
I would love to work there! By the way this is extremely slow because there isn't enough staff-unbelievable! with so many people unemployed!
If the other embassies have enough staff and good, fast service why can't us?
You better travel to Portugal if you need sth done like I read on one revi
L Guerreiro
from London
from London
Jun 14, 2011
To all those who have listed the Portuguese Consulate as a 10/10 rating, I am highly suspicious. I have a strong belief you all work there and form part of the incompetent work-force who so greatly enforce a bad opinion of Portugal. What morons! They are rude, don't help people, insist on sending emails in Portuguese even if you expressly ask for replies to be made in English (as you do not speak the language), and then they sell you documents you don't need - so they not only keep you waiting for hours to be seen (and DAYS - you make two or three appointments and lose days of work), but they have no idea of Portuguese laws and legislation!!! What kind of Consulate is this...? I am Portuguese and a British Citizen so my British passport is enough to identify me and sign documents there. But I was expressly and fraudulently sold an ID card that I DON'T NEED AT ALL but was categorically corrected and made to pay for when I was at the Consulate. In Portugal..they didn't even ask for it and quoted the law to me saying it wasn't necessary. What? ! IDIOTS...who cost me £40...! and time ...I am horrified that these are the people representing the Portuguese nation. Did we hire all the dreggs of our nation to work there? I think the boss should be sacked...because quite truly staff from Macdonalds could work there better. At least they would know what they were selling you!
Name: L Guerreiro
Location: London
Name: L Guerreiro
Location: London
billywong1
May 5, 2011
Portuguese embassy is the worst embassy I have encountered, every time I try to get some information from the embassy, I have to call 090652666000 or 09065266608, which costs more than £1.50 per mintue. If you call the nomal number which is 0207 291 3770, they wouldn't give any information. If you can, do not use this awful embassy at all.
Santos
May 5, 2011
I've few complaint at all about bad service concerning Portuguese Embassy. I've been there 3 times and just once had to wait a little longer coz system went down. You have to be a bit persistent e-mailing then, about same subject 2/3 times. Forget calling then, you'll just waste your time
G Mendes
Apr 6, 2011
I received confirmation from Portugal stating that my I.D. card was ready to be collected in July 2010. I've been trying to phone the Consulate in London since then and had to hang up every time, as I was waiting in the "queue" for 30 minutes each time. I emailed them, only to receive yet another application for an I.D. card. When I went there the first time to sort out my documents, I had to wait 5 minutes for the two men at reception to finish gossiping like old women, before being served. While they were chatting away and ignoring my prescence, the phones were ringing non-stop. I work full-time during the week, so it's impossible for me to go there without an appointment. Where does this leave me? Will my I.D. card be sent back to Portugal if I don't pick it up soon? When I was there last year, I remember seeing one of the staff looking through a huge stack of I.D. cards, which were yet to be collected. What a surprise! To heck with this - I'm getting on to the Portuguese Embassador in London. Let's just hope he's not having a permanent siesta like the consulate staff!
Carlos dos Santos
from London
from London
Feb 28, 2011
If you phone the Embassy in London, and follow the prompts for passports, the information for directions to the consulate, the email address and the postal codes are noted incorrectly, the email address comes across as [email protected] (note the incorrect '.tt' in place '.pt'.
The postal code comes across as 'HR' instead of 'PR'.
The staff come across as 'hostile'
Name: Carlos dos Santos
Location: London
The postal code comes across as 'HR' instead of 'PR'.
The staff come across as 'hostile'
Name: Carlos dos Santos
Location: London