New ID cards – a digital revolution
The Portuguese government is launching a new citizenship card for registered foreigners in Portugal, as part of the ‘Simplex + 2018’ programme. The aim is to streamline administration of all foreign citizens and reduce much of the country’s bureaucracy. The Ministry announced that the new card will be issued in the final quarter of 2019.
nstead of the current ‘residency card’, by the end of 2019, all foreign nationals living in Portugal will need to have a valid Citizen’s Card (Cartão do Cidadão).
The new card will incorporate social security, personal tax (NIF) and current health card (Cartâo de Utente) numbers. The scheme will bring foreign nationals living in Portugal in line with Portuguese citizens, who already have a similar ID card.
In order to apply for the new Cartão do Cidadão, foreign nationals will need to go to their nearest SEF (Service of Foreigners and Borders) and present their current ID card, passport or birth certificate, their Portuguese Taxpayer Card (NIF card or Numero de Identificação Fiscal), their Social Security Card, and any National Health System Card and Voter Card.
Instead of the current ‘residency card’, by the end of 2019, all foreign nationals living in Portugal will need to have a valid Citizen’s Card (Cartão do Cidadão).
The new card will incorporate social security, personal tax (NIF) and current health card (Cartâo de Utente) numbers. The scheme will bring foreign nationals living in Portugal in line with Portuguese citizens, who already have a similar ID card.
In order to apply for the new Cartão do Cidadão, foreign nationals will need to go to their nearest SEF (Service of Foreigners and Borders) and present their current ID card, passport or birth certificate, their Portuguese Taxpayer Card (NIF card or Numero de Identificação Fiscal), their Social Security Card, and any National Health System Card and Voter Card.
To find you closest SEF office, or to book an appointment online please CLICK HERE.
“Citizen Card” for foreign residents
In 2018, the government is launching a new “citizen card” for foreigners residing in Portugal under the framework of the Simplex+2018. This card groups into a single document: fiscal number (NIF), Social Security and National Health System (SNS) numbers. The delivery of all these identification numbers to foreign residents will happen simultaneously at the same place of issuance, cutting down significantly the time and effort required. The card also contains a unique and secure digital signature that can be accessed via a card reader and authentication code.
Digital mobile key
For others, such as non-resident foreigners, an alternative access exists to perform digital signatures which is already up and operational: the Digital Mobile Key (Chave Móvel Digital). This system permits the holder to sign PDF documents electronically by means of a simple and secure system. The procedure allows authentication of citizen’s identity in portals and sites of the Portuguese Public Administration on the internet with two security factors:
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a password chosen by the individual (PIN);
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a numeric and temporary security code received by SMS, email or direct message on Twitter.
No reader is required. The Digital Mobile Key associates a mobile phone number with the civil identification number (NIC – Número de Identificação Civil) for Portuguese citizens and passport numbers for foreign citizens, enabling secure electronic signatures for PDF documents.
Key request
Citizens 16 years or older can request the Digital Mobile Key online or in person:
online:
- with a Citizen Card, card reader and authentication code PIN;
- via the Finanças portal, and exclusively for authentication purposes, requesting a temporary keyword to be sent by post to the address of the holder of the Citizen Card. After receiving the letter, the citizen can authenticate himself with his Digital Mobile Key.
In person:
- At the time of delivery of the Citizen Card in IRN services (Instituto dos Registos e Notariado);
- For holders of Citizen Card, Identity Card or Passport, at a service desk of Citizen Spaces (Loja do Cidadão) or Company Spaces (Espaço Empresa).
Digital Mobile Key App
The Digital Mobile Key App allows you to receive the security code associated with each authentication through push notification to your smartphone. This system is an alternative to SMS or direct message on Twitter. It is also possible to generate new codes and control the lifetime of each.
Authentication
The Digital Mobile Key allows citizens to authenticate themselves in the portals and websites of Portuguese public entities with:
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the mobile number;
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the Digital Mobile Key PIN code;
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a unique six-digit numeric and temporary security code sent by SMS to the mobile phone number or by email.
With the Digital Mobile Key, you can gain access to many public services online with the advantage of eliminating the need for a reader or a physical document to authenticate and sign
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id cards, portugal, cartão do cidadão