Fast-track your process to Citizenship: What Investors Need to Know?

The Portuguese Civil Registration Institute (IRN) has launched a new digital platform aimed at accelerating nationality applications. This modern system, which integrates automation and digital document processing, is already operational in Lisbon and Porto and will expand to 16 more civil registry offices across the country by November 4. With this platform, the IRN expects to increase processing capacity by up to 50%, significantly reducing wait times and improving efficiency.

How this New System Work?

- Automated Data Processing – AI-powered technology now extracts applicant information from digital documents, meaning officers focus more on validation rather than manual data entry.

- Faster Processing Times – Previously, applications could take nearly two hours to process; with this system, it may now be completed in just 30 minutes.

-  Reduced Bureaucracy & Risk of Fraud – Digitalization minimizes paperwork, making applications more secure and transparent.

As Portugal continues to modernize and enhance its immigration processes, investors and residents can now expect faster, more transparent, and more efficient citizenship pathways. Many investors initially obtain residency through Portugal’s Golden Visa program, and this streamlined nationality process makes the transition to citizenship even smoother. In 2023 alone, this system facilitated over 53,000 applications—a testament to the growing efficiency of Portugal’s citizenship services.

Portugal’s citizenship pathway remains one of the most attractive in Europe, with eligibility available after just five years of legal residency—one of the shortest timelines in the EU. For Mercan Properties investors, this update is particularly relevant.