Identity documents in Portugal (2026)

Last reviewed: 30 October 2026

In short: Portuguese nationals must obtain the citizen card, and EU citizens may enter with a valid ID card or passport. Foreign nationals must hold a valid travel document to enter. A general duty to carry identification was not confirmed.

RuleWhat applies
Duty to carry or show IDIdentity documents⚠ Not yet verified
National ID card compulsory for citizensIdentity documentsYes [1]
ID duty for foreign visitorsIdentity documentsForeign nationals must hold a valid travel document to enter or leave Portugal. Its validity must exceed the length of the stay, except for a resident foreign national re-entering. [2]
EU citizens may enter with a national ID cardIdentity documentsYes [3]
Document for British citizensIdentity documentsBritish citizens need a valid passport. It must have been issued less than 10 years before arrival and expire at least 3 months after the planned departure from the Schengen area. Entry is refused without a valid travel document. [4]

Notes

  • Article 250 of the Code of Criminal Procedure lets police identify a person in a public place on founded suspicion of an offence or irregular stay, and take a person who cannot be identified to a police post for up to six hours. The articles read contain no general duty to carry or show a document, but silence is not treated as a rule.
  • The obligation in Lei 7/2007 is to obtain the card, from 20 days after the birth is registered. The articles read contain no duty to carry it.
  • Visa rules (Article 10) and any duty to carry the document during a stay were not read.

Sources

  1. Procuradoria-Geral Distrital de Lisboa (consolidated legislation, pgdlisboa.pt): Lei n.º 7/2007, de 05 de Fevereiro (Cartão de cidadão) (consulted 30 October 2026) · all sources
  2. Procuradoria-Geral Distrital de Lisboa (consolidated legislation, pgdlisboa.pt): Lei n.º 23/2007, de 04 de Julho (Entrada, permanência, saída e afastamento de estrangeiros do território nacional) (consulted 30 October 2026) · all sources
  3. European Union (Publications Office, Cellar): Directive 2004/38/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 on the right of citizens of the Union and their family members to move and reside freely within the territory of the Member States (consulted 30 October 2026) · all sources
  4. UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (GOV.UK): Portugal travel advice: Entry requirements (consulted 30 October 2026) · all sources

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General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.