New Online Platform Launched to Streamline Citizenship Requests by 50%
On the 1st of October 2024, a new digital platform was launched at the Central Registry Office in Lisbon and the Central Archive in Porto, both of which are part of the Instituto dos Registos e do Notariado (IRN). This platform is scheduled to be implemented in the remaining 16 civil registration offices that handle citizenship applications on the 4th of November 2024.
The purpose of this platform is to streamline the citizenship application process, which has traditionally been time-consuming due to inefficiencies in receiving and processing paper documentation, compounded by high levels of bureaucracy, logistical challenges, and fraud risk.
With this new platform, the process of applying for Portuguese citizenship becomes significantly more efficient, reducing redundant steps while maintaining the required level of security. The platform utilises automation and artificial intelligence (AI) to improve processing times.
Key front-office functionalities of this platform include:
- Scan the documents submitted by the applicant as soon as the application is submitted;
- Extract the applicant's identification data using artificial intelligence (AI);
- Automatically enter the data into the system;
- Automatically classify the process according to the type of request.
The introduction of these new functions and automation means that IRN employees will only need to validate the provided information, reducing the average processing time from 1 hour and 50 minutes to just 37 minutes, thereby saving 1 hour and 13 minutes.
From this point forward, all types of Portuguese citizenship applications will be managed through this new platform, where interactions with applicants and authorised representatives will take place online. This ensures both the safety and transparency of the entire process.
This platform will also enable applicants and authorised representatives to track the progress of their applications, once again enhancing the transparency of the process.
The platform is fully integrated with the civil registry system, enabling the automatic entry of birth registration upon the approval of Portuguese nationality.
It is projected that this platform will enhance the service capacity for processing nationality cases by 50%, significantly improving efficiency.
The implementation of a new digital platform became necessary due to the continuous rise in applications for Portuguese citizenship. According to data from the IRN, 2022 saw a record 230,000 citizenship processes, making the highest number to date.
This new platform signifies a pivotal advancement in modernising public services related to citizenship procedures. The previous advancement made in 2023 by the Instituto dos Registos e do Notariado (IRN) was the introduction of an online channel for submitting Portuguese citizenship requests. Importantly, this service is exclusive and mandatory for lawyers and solicitors registered with the Portuguese Bar Association and the Solicitors Regulation Authority, respectively. Until today, this online channel has been a gateway for 53 thousand citizenship requests.
In summary, submitting an online application for Portuguese citizenship consistently requires the involvement of a lawyer or solicitor.
What Are the Paths to Obtaining Portuguese Citizenship?
Several routes exist for obtaining Portuguese citizenship. Whether through long-term residency, Portuguese ancestry, or investment options, multiple paths are available for exploration, including:
- Portuguese Citizenship by Naturalization: This pathway is available to foreign residents who have legally resided in Portugal for a minimum of five years.
- Portuguese Citizenship for Descendants of Portuguese Citizens: Individuals with a parent or grandparent who holds Portuguese citizenship are eligible to apply for Portuguese citizenship through this route.
- Portuguese Citizenship through Marriage or Civil Partnership: A foreign spouse or partner of a Portuguese citizen may apply for citizenship after three years of marriage or civil partnership.
- Portuguese Citizenship by Investment: Through the Golden Visa programme, investors who meet the required criteria and maintain their investment for five years are eligible for citizenship.
- Portuguese Citizenship for Descendants of Sephardic Jews: This route to citizenship has been established as a form of historical reparation for the Sephardic Jewish community. Applicants must provide proof of their connection to a Sephardic community of Portuguese origin.
If you wish to learn more about Portuguese citizenship or the process of acquiring it, feel free to
reach out to us. We are committed to providing you with expert guidance and support throughout your citizenship journey.
