News Article by David Fitas, Lawyer - International Atlantic Services

The Portuguese Civil Registration Institute (IRN), responsible for the analyses and processing of all citizenship applications, has launched an innovative platform designed to accelerate the nationality application process in Portugal. This new system, which incorporates automation and digital document processing, will be initially available at the offices of Lisbon and Porto. By November 4, it will expand to 16 other civil registry offices across the country. The IRN anticipates that this advancement could enhance processing capacity by up to 50%, significantly benefiting applicants currently facing delays.

The introduction of this platform is particularly timely, as many applicants have been struggling with prolonged wait times that disrupt their plans and create uncertainty for their families. By streamlining the process, the IRN aims to reduce some of the stress and frustration that comes with waiting for citizenship. This improvement not only promises faster responses but also enhances the overall applicant experience, allowing individuals and families to move forward with their lives in Portugal more confidently.

One of the key features of the new platform is its ability to digitalize documents and utilize artificial intelligence to extract applicant data automatically. This means that civil officers will now primarily need to validate information rather than manually process each application, streamlining the workflow considerably. The IRN expects that this change could cut the average processing time from nearly two hours to around thirty minutes, thus alleviating some of the pressure on the system.

In 2022, the IRN received a record 230,000 citizenship applications, highlighting the demand for Portuguese nationality. Applicants may qualify based on various factors, including years of legal residency in Portugal and family nationality. The new platform not only aims to speed up the processing time but also intends to improve the overall efficiency of services provided to applicants, reducing bureaucratic burdens and the risk of fraud associated with paper documentation.

Additionally, the IRN has implemented an online channel exclusively for lawyers and solicitors, which has already facilitated over 53,000 processes in 2023 alone. This initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance transparency and clarity in the citizenship application process, allowing applicants to track their applications online. As Portugal continues to modernize its immigration services, prospective and current applicants can look forward to a more streamlined and efficient pathway to obtaining Portuguese citizenship.

If you have any questions or need to know more about the citizenship, don’t wait and reach out to IAS, we have an experienced team of lawyers that can give you the best and specialized support with these and other matters.