The Lifetime Identity Card continues to be accepted as a legal document in Portugal, but there are specific situations in which citizens will have to replace it with the Citizen Card, changing a reality that many considered definitive. According to the portal, despite maintaining legal validity, the old document was no longer issued in 2018, having been replaced by the current national identification model.
The main change comes when there is a need to update personal data, something that can no longer be done in the old format. According to the same source, whenever a citizen with a lifetime ID card wants to change elements such as address or marital status, he or she will have to request a Citizen Card.
End of an administrative era
The end of issuing the Identity Card marked a definitive transition to a more comprehensive identification system. The Citizen Card now concentrates several functions, being recognized by public and private entities. It no longer serves only as identification, but also as a tool to access various services. This document is valid throughout the national territory and also in EU countries
Unlike the old ID card, the Citizen Card became mandatory for all Portuguese citizens from a very early age. The same source mentions that the obligation applies from 20 days of age, regardless of place of residence. Any Portuguese citizen can request or renew a Citizen Card, including some foreign citizens under specific conditions. Brazilian citizens with a valid residence permit can access the document under existing agreements.
Situations that require renewal
There are several scenarios in which renewing your Citizen Card becomes necessary, even for those who already have it. According to the same source, this happens when the card is about to expire, has expired, has been lost or is damaged. The need to update data such as name, signature or photograph also implies the issuance of a new card. According to Justiça.gov, these changes cannot be made without resorting to a new document.
For many citizens, the renewal process can be done remotely, without the need to travel. The website writes that, from the age of 25, it is possible to renew the Citizen Card online under certain conditions. Online renewal is available when the card is still valid or has recently expired. It can also be used in cases of loss or theft, as long as the card has been previously cancelled.
The duration of the Citizen Card varies according to the holder’s age, being longer after a certain point. The same source mentions that, from the age of 25, the document is valid for 10 years. When a duplicate is issued, the validity is not reset, maintaining the date of the original card. The website explains that this rule applies in cases of loss, destruction or theft.
Although many still use the lifetime ID, the trend points to its gradual replacement. According to Justiça.gov, the limitations associated with the old document make the transition to the Citizen Card inevitable in several situations.
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