Schengen visa for Portugal visit from UK

[AndyP]

Hi. My brother, a UK citizen and EU passport holder recently married a girl from the Philippines (in England). They're living in the UK. They are meeting up with me and our other brother, first in Spain, then in Portugal in June for 3 weeks but have recently discovered that the application process through the Spanish embassy's 3rd party processing organisation (VFS) would take too long for the visa to be processed for his wife in time. Does anyone know how this process can be speeded up? Can he just turn up at the Portuguese embassy in London and get the thing sorted out? He's due to meet me in Malaga on June 16th.
Thanks.

[Wanderer]

No, you have to make an appointment via the usual 0906 quid a minute ripoff booking line.

Bearing mind u have to apply at the embassy of the country in which u land or spend most time, and the Spanish embassy is just about the worst, manned by the rudest most arrogant staff on the planet.

[stmellon]

How long did they tell him it would take to get the visa? As the spouse of an EU citizen it should be done promptly (I forget the official legal jargon for this) but certainly shouldn't take more than 2 weeks (though of course, you've got to get an appointment first which could be weeks in the future...)

From the website:

SUBMISSION OF APPLICATION

To make an appointment please contact this telephone number:

Tel: 08713760023
Monday to Friday 08.30 - 17.30
or through the VFS website http://es.vfsglobal.co.uk
COLLECTING TIMES

From 14.00 pm to 15.00 pm for collection of passports only, in the adress shown above.

The service incurs a fee which does not included the application visa fee. Please note that this fee is due to VFS for the service provided.

Those applicants who prefer to address their application directly to this Consulate General, including spouses and partners, and family dependants of Spanish and UE citizens, should write a letter (phonecalls, fax and e-mails will not be accepted) to this Consulate General that can be sent by post or delivered in person. The applicant will be given an appointment in the first available date and in strictly order of presentation. The appointment will be sent to you via post.

How long would they be staying in a) Spain and b) Portugal, and is it one trip or are they returning to the UK in between? If it is a single trip and they will be spending the longest period of time in Portugal (or can legitimately claim to be! ) then she could apply to the Portuguese.

http://ec.europa.eu/unitedkingdom/infor ... _en.htm#21