Pre-production environment

Applying for a special passport

The special passport (PES) is a travel document issued to persons with Portuguese nationality who hold certain positions in the public administration, or to persons appointed by the State for public service missions.

The special passport should only be used when the holder is travelling to one or more destinations for the purpose for which the passport was issued.

 

Service channels

Learn where you can carry out the service and what are the advantages of each channel

  • Online

    The request for a Special Passport is made by email through a proposal/office from the guardianship or public entity addressed to the Chairman of the IRN Board of Directors.

    27,50€

    The biometric data of the person for whom the Special Passport is requested is collected at the Campus da Justiça in Lisbon or at the Civil Identification Department in Porto.

Who can apply for a special passport?

Public entities, ministries or State secretariats must apply for a special passport (PES), which may be awarded to:

  • members of the Council of State
  • members of the Assembly of the Republic;
  • judges of higher courts [Tribunais Superiores]
  • members of the regional assemblies
  • presidents of municipal chambers
  • civilian or military entities (persons) proposed by the President of the Republic
  • persons expressly entrusted by the State with a public service mission, provided that the nature of this mission does not involve a diplomatic passport being issued
  • civil servants of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MNE) on a public service mission who are not entitled to a diplomatic passport
  • civil servants of Portuguese nationality, bound by the MNE’s external services framework, provided they are not entitled to a diplomatic passport
  • civil servants with Portuguese nationality who are part of the single recruitment framework for the MNE’s external services, where, due to being imposed by the legal authorities of the country in which they reside, having the PES is indispensable for them to exercise their duties
  • honorary consuls with Portuguese nationality

Notice: The special passport can also be granted to a spouse and to children who are minors, provided they are travelling in the company of the person holding the special passport and are Portuguese nationals.

What are the documents and requirements to apply for a special passport?

In order to apply for the special passport (PES), you will need to send an email containing the following details:

  • identity of the applicant;
  • the applicant’s situation or public service mission;
  • period of validity of the special passport according to the nature and probable duration of the mission or situation for which the passport is issued.

Minors under the age of 18 or persons in the accompanied adult scheme

If the application for a special passport is for a child under 18 or for a person falling under the accompanied adult scheme the person applying for the passport must be present, as well as the legal representative of the passport applicant or the duly authenticated proxy.

Children under the age of 18 or accompanied adults will need to present the following documents on the day of the biometric data collection:

  • valid Citizen Card or identity card
  • valid identity document of the person holding parental responsibility or of the person accompanying the adult (Citizen Card, identity card or passport)
  • document proving that the person holding parental responsibility lives legally in Portugal (valid passport or a valid visa or residence permit, if that person is a non-national).

How to do the application for a special passport?

To apply for a special passport you must submit a proposal / official letter from the relevant authority or public body to the Chair of the IRN Governing Board. It should be sent by email to pep.especial@irn.mj.pt.

The biometric data of the special passport applicant will be collected at the Campus da Justiça (Justice Campus) in Lisbon or at the Civil Identification Department in Porto.

How much does it cost to apply for a special passport?

The special passport costs EUR 27.50.

For how long is the special passport valid?

The special passport is valid for the duration of the period of the mission and duties for which it was issued. The maximum validity of the document is four years.

For children who are minors, the period of validity of the special passport is limited to the end of the mission of the person exercising parental responsibilities or the day before the child reaches the age of 18.

What is the support legislation?

Decree-Law No 138/2006

Decree-Law nº83/2000