Over 25,000 Portuguese Nationality Applications Delayed as Backlog Hits Record Level
A record-breaking backlog has hit Portuguese Nationality system, with more than 25,000 applications still pending due to a severe shortage of human resources. According to the Ministry of Justice, these delays are affecting applicants worldwide who submitted their nationality requests through Portuguese consular posts.
The revelation came after the Socialist Party (PS) raised concerns in parliament regarding the increasing number of complaints from consular offices about long delays in confirming birth certificate integrations — a mandatory step for obtaining Portuguese nationality.
More Than 25,000 Nationality Applications Still Pending
The Ministry of Justice confirmed that, as of 19 November 2025, a total of 25,507 birth certificates submitted from consular posts remain pending in Portugal’s civil registry information system.
Here is the official breakdown:
- 629 applications: Minors over the age of one
- 24,878 applications: Adults
- 0 delays for minors aged one year or younger
The Ministry noted that birth certificates for infants are being integrated on the same day, meaning no backlog exists for this category.
Why the Backlog Has Reached Record Levels
The government attributes the massive delays to a long-standing structural challenge within the Institute of Registries and Notaries (IRN). According to the Ministry of Justice, the IRN has suffered from years of human resource shortages caused by:
1. Retirements Without Replacement
As senior staff retired, very few new employees were brought in to fill positions.
2. Transfers to Other Departments
Many trained officers moved to different government agencies, reducing capacity inside registry services.
3. Lack of New Recruitment Processes
Hiring has not kept up with the rising demand for nationality services.
4. Surge in Consular Submissions
Global Portuguese-speaking communities, descendants, and applicants under revised nationality laws have significantly increased application numbers.
The Ministry stated that these factors have had a “very significant impact on the responsiveness” of registry services, including nationality processing.
Government Announces Major Recruitment to Solve the Crisis
To address the unprecedented delays, the government has announced multiple recruitment drives aimed at boosting IRN’s capacity.
The new hiring plan includes:
- 159 new registrars
- 8 registrars for Madeira
- 617 registry officers
This brings the total to 784 new staff members who will be deployed across the registry network — including the Central Registry Office, where nationality files are processed.
Authorities believe that adding new staff will gradually reduce the backlog and help restore normal processing times by mid to late 2026.
Consular Posts Raise Concerns
Portuguese consulates around the world have reported rising frustration among applicants who are waiting months — and in some cases, more than a year — for confirmation of birth certificate integration.
Common issues reported by consulates include:
- Long processing times
- Limited response from Central Registry Office
- Repeated applicant inquiries
- Pressure from diaspora communities
- Difficulty updating applicants due to lack of timeline clarity
Despite these challenges, the Ministry of Justice insists that urgent cases and applications involving infants are handled without delay.
Impact on Applicants Worldwide
The backlog affects thousands of applicants in:
- Europe
- South America
- Asia
- Africa
- Middle East
- North America
These applicants are facing delays in several related processes, including:
- Nationality approvals
- Passport issuance
- Family reunification
- Portuguese citizenship registration
- Document authentication
For many families, the delay means postponing travel, residency, education plans, or access to citizenship rights.
Why Birth Certificate Integration Is a Crucial Step
Birth certificate integration is a required process for all consular nationality applications. It ensures:
- Verification of identity
- Authenticity of foreign birth documents
- Confirmation of family relationships
- Alignment with Portugal’s civil registry database
- Eligibility under nationality law
Without this step, an application cannot move forward to nationality approval or registration.
When Will Delays Improve?
The Ministry of Justice predicts that once the newly hired staff join the IRN, applicants will begin to see improvements in processing times.
Expected changes:
- Faster communication between consulates and the Central Registry Office
- Reduced pending cases
- More timely integration of new birth certificates
- Better service capacity across Portugal’s registry network
However, applicants should still expect several months of delays until recruitment and training are completed.
Conclusion – Over 25,000 Portuguese Nationality Applications Delayed as Backlog Hits Record Level
The confirmation that over 25,000 nationality applications are still pending highlights the significant pressure on Portugal’s registry system. While the Ministry of Justice acknowledges the severe staff shortage and its impact on processing times, the government’s major recruitment initiative brings hope for applicants waiting anxiously around the world.
For now, applicants are advised to remain patient and maintain regular contact with their respective Portuguese consulates as the IRN works to clear its record backlog.
