The Institute of Registries and Notary (IRN) announced a New Nationality Platform going live on Oct 1, a coordinated effort to modernize the processing of citizenship applications, expedites processing capacity of nationality requests by 50%. The platform will use AI to scan and digitally extract identification data and automatically classifies based on request received. The entire process will be digitally done, removing papers, from document submission to the final decision stage, using features such as automation and artificial intelligence, reducing the bottlenecks in the processing of applications. Initially, it will be implemented at the Central Registry Office and the Central Archive in Porto and will be expanded to 16 more Civil registry desks starting in November 4.
The Nationality Platform will reduce the processing time to process nationality applications by 50%.
The Minister for Justice highlighted that the technology aims to reduce bureaucracy and expedite services in order to minimize pending requests. The digitization of documents and automatic data extraction will reduce the average processing time from two hours to 30 minutes. The platform is integrated with the civil registration system, allowing the birth certificate to be automatically registered with the decision granting nationality.
The paper documentation is the main source of inefficiencies, adding bureaucratic and logistical burden and risk of fraud to the process, said the Ministry. Applicants can monitor the stages of the process online , with greater transparency and clarity.
With the extinction of the Foreigners and Borders Service (SEF) on 29 October, the Institute of Registries and Notaries (IRN) will now be responsible for granting and issuing the Portuguese Electronic Passport (PEP) and renewal of residence permits. In addition to the PEP, the IRN will also be responsible for temporary passports, special passports and passports for foreign nationals.
In 2022, the IRN received 230,000 applications for Portuguese nationality, the highest number ever. In 2023, about 53,000 applications were received through the online gateway submitted by lawyers and solicitors.
The Nationality Platform is a project financed by the PRR, within the scope of the review of the Citizen’s life cycle, included in the ReInovar dos Registos program. It has an initial allocation of 1.4 million euros.
