If you need to use a Portuguese document in another country, you'll likely need an apostille — an international certification that authenticates the document's origin. This guide explains everything you need to know about apostilling Portuguese documents, from official fees to the step-by-step process.
What is an Apostille?
An apostille (from the French word meaning "certification") is a form of authentication issued to documents for use in countries that participate in the Hague Apostille Convention. It's a standardized certificate that verifies the authenticity of the signature, the capacity of the person who signed the document, and the identity of any seal or stamp on the document.
The apostille itself is a separate page or stamp attached to your document. It contains:
- The country where the apostille was issued
- The name of the person who signed the original document
- The capacity of the signatory
- Details of any seal or stamp
- Place and date of issue
- Name and signature of the issuing authority
- A unique identification number
Important Distinction
An apostille does NOT certify the content of the document — only that the signature and seal are genuine. The receiving country's authorities will evaluate the document's content.
The Hague Apostille Convention
The Hague Convention of 5 October 1961 (officially: "Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents") simplified the process of authenticating documents for international use. Before this convention, documents needed to go through a lengthy chain of certifications involving multiple government offices and embassies.
Portugal has been a member of the Hague Apostille Convention since 1969. As of 2026, over 125 countries are members, including:
Europe
All EU countries, UK, Switzerland, Norway, Ukraine, Russia
Americas
USA, Canada, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Colombia
Asia & Oceania
Japan, South Korea, India, Australia, New Zealand
You can check the full list of member countries on theHague Conference website .
Which Documents Can Be Apostilled?
In Portugal, the following types of public documents can be apostilled:
- Civil registry documents — birth, marriage, death certificates
- Court documents — judgments, court orders, divorce decrees
- Notarial documents — powers of attorney, contracts, declarations
- Criminal record certificates
- Educational documents — diplomas, transcripts, certificates from public institutions
- Administrative documents — from ministries and government agencies
- Municipal documents — from câmaras municipais and juntas de freguesia
- Commercial registry documents — company extracts and certificates
Private Documents
Private documents (contracts between individuals, private company documents) cannot be directly apostilled. They must first be notarized by a Portuguese notary, and then the notary's signature can be apostilled.
When Do You Need an Apostille?
You typically need an apostille when using Portuguese documents for:
Immigration & Citizenship
- • Visa applications
- • Citizenship applications abroad
- • Residency permit applications
- • Work permit applications
Legal Proceedings
- • Court cases in foreign countries
- • Property transactions abroad
- • Inheritance proceedings
- • Divorce recognition
Business & Employment
- • Company registration abroad
- • Professional licensing
- • Employment verification
- • Business contracts
Education
- • University admissions abroad
- • Credential recognition
- • Scholarship applications
- • Professional certifications
Official Costs
The official fee for an apostille in Portugal is set by law at one-tenth of the unit of account (UC). As of 2025, this equals:
This fee applies regardless of the document type or the requesting method (in person or online).
Fee exemption: Individuals who can prove economic insufficiency (through documentation from a public assistance institution) may be exempt from the fee.
Source: Ministério Público
Where to Request an Apostille
In Portugal, the competent authority for issuing apostilles is the Procurador-Geral da República (Attorney General). By delegation, apostilles can be issued at the following locations:
Lisboa — Procuradoria-Geral da República
Campus de Justiça, Av. D. João II, 1.08.01, Edifício E, 1990-097 Lisboa
Accepts documents from anywhere in Portugal
Porto — Procuradoria-Geral Regional do Porto
Palácio da Justiça, Campo Mártires da Pátria, 4049-099 Porto
Coimbra — Procuradoria-Geral Distrital
Palácio da Justiça, Rua da Sofia, 3004-501 Coimbra
Additional offices are available in Guimarães, Évora, and the Azores and Madeira autonomous regions.
The Apostille Process
Requesting an apostille in person is straightforward:
Bring Your Original Document
Take the original document you need apostilled to one of the apostille offices. The document must be a public document (government-issued).
Pay the Fee
Pay €10.20 per apostille. Payment methods include cash, check (to IGCP), bank transfer, or Multibanco (at some locations).
Receive Your Apostilled Document
In most cases, apostilles are issued on the spot. The apostille will be attached to your document as a separate page or stamp.
Processing Time
Apostilles are usually issued immediately ("na hora") for requests made before 4:00 PM. Exceptions: requests for 5+ apostilles, requests after 4:00 PM, or when the signature sample is not on file.
Online Apostille Service
As of March 2025, Portugal offers an online apostille service for electronic documents. This is particularly useful for documents that are already in digital format with qualified electronic signatures.
The online service is available through the Ministério Público website. However, for most traditional paper documents, you'll still need to visit an apostille office in person or use a professional service.
Apostille vs. Full Legalization
If you need to use Portuguese documents in a country that is NOT a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, you'll need full consular legalizationinstead of an apostille.
| Aspect | Apostille | Full Legalization |
|---|---|---|
| Countries | Hague Convention members (125+) | Non-member countries |
| Process | Single certification | Multiple steps (MNE + Embassy) |
| Time | Usually same day | Days to weeks |
| Cost | €10.20 | Varies (typically higher) |
Countries that are NOT members of the Hague Convention include some countries in Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia. Always check the current status before proceeding.
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