Some Portuguese Citizen Cards issued before 2021 may expire earlier than expected under new European Union rules introducing stricter security and technology standards.
Thousands of citizens will be required to renew their Citizen Card before the expiry date printed on the document, following the entry into force of Regulation (EU) 2025/1208, which sets new requirements for the security and interoperability of national identity documents across the EU.
Citizen Cards issued before the introduction of the new model in June 2024 may gradually cease to be accepted, even if they are still formally valid. The change is mandatory and not optional, requiring affected citizens to renew their documents within defined deadlines.
Under the new rules, identity cards must include two key technological features: a machine-readable zone (MRZ) and a contactless chip containing biometric data. Cards that do not meet these standards will progressively lose legal validity up to 2031.
According to the Institute of Registration and Notary Affairs (IRN), Citizen Cards without an MRZ must be renewed by August 3, 2026. Cards that include an MRZ but lack a contactless chip must be renewed by August 3, 2031.
There is one exception. Citizens who were aged 70 or over on August 2, 2021, and hold a card with an MRZ may continue to use it until its printed expiry date.
Since June 2024, the Portuguese Citizen Card has included a dual-interface chip, enhanced security features and biometric verification using facial recognition and fingerprints.
These updates prepare the document for integration into the future European Digital Identity, allowing the Portuguese Citizen Card to function as a secure digital identity across all EU Member States.
Renewals can be completed online, in person at service counters, or through external services for citizens with reduced mobility.
Source: IRN
