How to Get a Criminal Record Certificate in Portugal
Employers, schools and foreign authorities often ask for a Portuguese criminal record certificate. AIMA residence permit applicants usually do not need to order one at all.
A Portuguese criminal record certificate (certificado de registo criminal) is requested online at the Justice Ministry’s criminal records portal for €5, or in person, by phone or by post. Anyone over 16 can request their own. The certificate is valid for 3 months from the date of issue.
The certificate is issued by the Directorate-General for the Administration of Justice (DGAJ), through its criminal identification services. The details below follow the gov.pt service page, updated on 25 September 2026, and the criminal records portal, as of November 2026.
Who can request a Portuguese criminal record certificate?
Any person over 16, of any nationality, can request a certificate about themselves. An adult (18 or older) can request one for another person only with that person’s written authorization, and that request has to be made in person, with the authorization shown at the counter.
The certificate shows whether the person has convictions recorded in Portugal. According to the portal, it also covers decisions of foreign courts communicated to Portugal under international agreements, and for EU citizens it can include convictions in their country of nationality.
How do I request it online?
The online route is the fastest and costs €5. You log in to the portal with Portuguese digital authentication, such as the Citizen Card (Cartão de Cidadão) or the Chave Móvel Digital.
- Go to registocriminal.justica.gov.pt and choose to request a new certificate for a natural person.
- Log in with your Citizen Card or Chave Móvel Digital.
- Choose the purpose (fim) of the certificate, for example employment or a specific activity.
- Pay the €5 fee using one of the methods offered.
- Track the request in the “my orders” area, where the certificate and its access code appear once issued.
An online request can take up to 3 working days to be issued. The person or employer receiving the certificate can view it online with the access code, so you often do not need to print anything.
Can I request it in person?
Yes. gov.pt lists in-person, phone and postal requests alongside the online service. A certificate requested at a counter (balcão) can take up to 10 working days to be issued.
The in-person route is the one to use if you have no Portuguese digital login, which is common for newcomers before they receive a residence card and activate a Chave Móvel Digital. Check the “Presencial” tab on the gov.pt service page for the current list of counters and whether you need an appointment.
| Channel | Issued within | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Online | Up to 3 working days | €5; needs Citizen Card or Chave Móvel Digital login |
| Counter (in person) | Up to 10 working days | Required when requesting for another person |
| Phone or post | Not stated | Listed on gov.pt as available channels |
Fees and channels above are as of November 2026.
Do I need one for an AIMA residence permit?
Usually not the Portuguese one. gov.pt says foreign nationals applying for or renewing a residence permit do not need to request a criminal record certificate or a certificate of contumácia; the services check the record themselves after you authorize it in the application. If you are preparing a residence permit renewal, the authorization is part of the process.
The same page says nationality and name-change processes do not require you to hand in the Portuguese certificate to the registry office (Conservatória) either.
A criminal record from your home country, or from other countries where you lived, is a different matter. Visa and residence processes often ask for it, and AIMA only accepts it with an apostille or consular legalization, plus a certified translation unless it is in English, French or Spanish. Our guide to the apostille and certified translations covers those steps.
When do employers ask for it?
Employers can ask for a certificate when the law or the nature of the job requires it. The best-known case is work involving regular contact with children: Law 113/2009 sets specific rules for checking the criminal records of people hired for those roles, and the certificate is requested for that purpose.
Choose the purpose carefully when you apply, because the content of the certificate can depend on what it is for. If you are unsure, ask the employer or the body that wants it which purpose to select.
How do I get a criminal record from my home country?
You request it from your own country’s police or justice authority, often online or through its consulate in Portugal. Then you add the apostille (or consular legalization) in that country.
AIMA has a specific rule for electronic certificates without an apostille: they need at least recognition by your country’s consular authorities in Portugal, and staff check the record online through the address printed on the certificate. AIMA accepts Cape Verde’s electronic criminal records without authentication, and the certificate issued by the Embassy of Ukraine in Portugal without further validation.
Bottom line
Order a Portuguese certificate only when someone specifically asks for it, and as late as possible, since it expires after 3 months. For AIMA permits the agency checks the Portuguese record itself, so the effort usually goes into the foreign record: getting it apostilled and, if needed, translated before your appointment.
FAQ
How much does a criminal record certificate cost in Portugal?
The criminal records portal lists the fee as €5, as of November 2026. Pay attention to the purpose you select, since the portal also handles requests for companies and other entities.
How long is the certificate valid?
It is valid for 3 months from the date of issue. After that, request a new one.
Can I request a certificate for my partner?
Yes, if you are over 18 and have their written authorization. The request must be made in person and the authorization shown at the counter.
Can I request it if I live abroad?
The portal accepts requests from people of any nationality over 16, but the online route needs a Portuguese digital login. Without one, use the in-person, phone or postal channels listed on gov.pt.
