Cancelling a Citizen Card

The Citizen Card must be cancelled within 10 days after the holder becomes aware that is has been lost, damaged, stolen or unlawfully appropriated. A Citizen Card that has been cancelled cannot be reactivated. You must apply to renew your Citizen Card.

If you have a Digital Mobile Key associated with your Citizen Card, the Digital Mobile Key will remain active after you cancel your Citizen Card. The Digital Mobile Key will remain active until 30 days after the expiry date indicated on the Citizen Card.

The Digital Mobile Key remains active even after the Citizen Card has been cancelled so that, for example, you can apply to renew your Citizen Card online.

• • Cancellation of the Citizen Card online by the holder, signing in and using authentication:
    • authentication using the Mobile Digital Key
    • authentication PIN for the Mobile Digital Key
    • full number of the Citizen Card being cancelled (digits and letters), or the cancellation code specified in the PIN (code) letter that accompanied the Citizen Card being cancelled.
• • Cancellation of the Citizen Card online by the holder, without signing in:
    • full number on the Citizen Card (digits and letters)
    • cancellation code specified in the PIN (code) letter that accompanied the Citizen Card being cancelled
    • in the Citizen Card System, an email address or mobile phone number is stored in connection with the Citizen Card cancellation application
    • holder’s confirmation of the cancellation code following receipt of a text message or email sent to the mobile phone number / email address stored as per the point above.
• • Cancellation of the Citizen Card online by a third party, for minors under 16 years of age or for persons prevented from or incapable of doing so on their own behalf due to a mental impairment; one of the following means of authentication can be used:
    • You can use a Citizen Card to authenticate the cancellation of another Citizen Card. You must:
      • sign in using your Citizen Card
      • provide the full number of the Citizen Card that you wish to cancel (digits and letters) and the cancellation code specified in the PIN (code) letter that accompanied the Citizen Card being cancelled.
  • You can use a Digital Mobile Key to authenticate the cancellation of a Citizen Card. You must provide:
    • the Digital Mobile Key and Digital Mobile Key authentication PIN of the legal representative
    • the full number of the Citizen Card that you wish to cancel (digits and letters) and the cancellation code specified in the PIN letter that accompanied the Citizen Card being cancelled.

It is free of charge.

A Citizen Card can be cancelled online, in person or by telephone.

Online

You can cancel a Citizen Card online on the ePortugal portal, with or without signing in:

• Cancel a Citizen Card online by signing in 
  • You can authenticate using a Citizen Card (you must have a smartcard reader and the PIN (code) letter that accompanied the Citizen Card) or a Digital Mobile Key.
  • Fill in the fields using the details of the Citizen Card that you wish to cancel.
• Cancel a Citizen Card online without signing in
• Fill in the fields using the details of the Citizen Card that you wish to cancel.

In person

1. Go to one of the following places:
   • a civil registry office;
   • an Espaço Registos one-stop shop;
   • an IRN (Institute of Registries and Notary) service desk at a Loja de Cidadão (Citizen’s Shop);
   • a Portuguese consular post, if you live abroad.
2. Ask to cancel the Citizen Card.
3. Provide the details asked of you.

By telephone

1. Call the Citizen Card Helpline on +351 210 990 111 (available 7 days a week).
2. Ask to cancel the Citizen Card.
3. Provide the details asked of you.