If you’re living in Portugal, you can apply for citizenship there and get a passport that gives you dual citizenship as well as several travel privileges.
The different types of Portuguese passport
Every time a Portuguese travels outside of the EU and the Schengen Area, his/her passport serves as an official travel document attesting to their identification.
After obtaining Portuguese citizenship, you can apply for a passport.
Types of passports
There are five different types of available from the Instituto dos Registos e do Notariado (IRN):
Standard Electronic Portuguese (PEP)
This is granted to all Portuguese citizens
Frequent Traveler
This is provided to frequent fliers requiring additional visa and border crossing pages.
Special (PES)
Given to certain Portuguese personnel working in the Public Administration or for public service missions
Diplomatic(PD)
Granted to diplomats and consular officers stationed abroad
Passport for Foreign Citizens (PCE)
Issued to foreigners entitled to live in Portugal who are stateless or have no other passport.
Temporary Passport (PT)
Issued in emergency cases on the day of travel (valid for one year)
Note
The PEP, PES, and PD (in Portuguese) are booklets with 32 pages with a Bordeaux cover. Additionally, they are equipped with a microchip that stores information about you, such as your full name, height, date of birth, gender, place of birth, photo, fingerprints, signature, issuance date, and expiration date.
Notably, the PEP and PCE are identical, except the PCE has a dark grey cover. The PT passport lacks a microchip and is only offered in emergency situations, in contrast to the other varieties. It contains eight pages with a dark blue cover.
Benefits
The passport grants you visa-free access to 110 countries and is ranked 14th in terms of global mobility by the 2022 Passport Index. You also receive the advantages listed below:
- Free movement within the EU
- Dual citizenship
- The opportunity to live and work in any EU country
- The authorization to enter and leave Portugal
Once you have acquired Portuguese citizenship, been in Portugal for at least five years, and a Temporary Passport (PT), issued on the day of travel (valid for one year) been issued a Citizen’s Card, you are eligible to apply for it.
Notably, even though you are not required by law to apply for a Portuguese passport, possessing one has some benefits when it comes to traveling abroad. For instance, to enter some nations, you must possess both the passport and a visa.
Applying for a Portuguese passport
The following locations accept applications for Portuguese passports:
- Instituto dos Registos e do Notariado (IRN) offices
- Autonomous Regional Governments of Madeira and Azores
- Shops selling passports at Lisbon and Porto Airports
- Consulate of Portugal in your area of residence (if you are abroad)
Your Portuguese passport must often be applied for in person. The application procedure can take between one and five business days, depending on the mailing method you choose:
- Urgent – one business day
- Express – two business days
- Normal – five business days
The application process
Fortunately, the application procedure is straightforward, and your Citizen’s Card is the only document you must submit. Online appointment scheduling is available; bring this with you. It is crucial to keep in mind that if you are under 18, your legal guardian must accompany you and present identification of their own (a passport, citizen’s card, or residence permit).
You will be requested to provide your fingerprints and digital signature at the office on the day of your appointment when you will also have your picture taken. The price will vary depending on the delivery option you choose and where you live, but it normally falls between €65 and €120. In most cases, you can pay with cash, a credit/debit card, or an ATM in Portugal.
When your Portuguese passport is available, you have two options: pick it up in person at the location where you made your application, or have it mailed to you. The latter, however, entails an additional delivery charge of between €10 and €30.
Notably, only individuals who require an urgent Portuguese passport or an urgent passport for the airport can use the passport shops at the airports in Lisbon and Porto.
Cost and application information
The application cost is €150, and you must schedule an appointment by emailing gricrp.cc@sef.pt with the following information:
- Full name
- Citizen’s Card number
- Two recent pictures (pass type, in color with a plain background)
- Which airport you will go to
- Phone number
- A document verifying the urgency of the request
- Your preferred date and time
