In a statement, SEF states that, by midday, it had already “issued 561 documents with reference to the payment of residence permits received through digital platforms”, namely the SEF and ePortugal website.

The portal allows CPLP citizens to benefit from “a new simplified and quick model for granting a residence permit, entirely digital and accessible”, reads the statement sent by the authority. The objective is — in addition to facilitating and accelerating the process — to avoid going to SEF in order to obtain the residence permit certificate.

According to SEF, the high demand caused “specific access difficulties” throughout the morning of this Monday. However, the portal remains in operation. The Portuguese authority added that “citizens holding new CPLP consular visas, issued after October 31, 2022, can also register on the portal”.