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How to Register and Vote as a Portuguese Citizen Living Abroad in the 2026 Presidential Elections

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How to Register and Vote as a Portuguese Citizen Living Abroad in the 2026 Presidential Elections

Portugal will hold its next Presidential Election on 18 January 2026. Portuguese citizens living abroad will be able to vote at Portuguese embassies and consulates on 17 and 18 January 2026.

If you are a Portuguese citizen living outside Portugal, you have the right to vote in this election. Voting allows you to take part in Portugal’s democracy and help choose the next President of the Republic.

Important: Voting is not mandatory, but it is your legal right as a Portuguese citizen.

Who Can Vote?

You can vote in the 2026 Presidential Election if:

This includes Portuguese citizens who live permanently abroad.

 Check If You Are Registered to Vote

Voter registration is usually automatic if you have a valid Cartão de Cidadão (Citizen Card) or Bilhete de Identidade with an address abroad.

However, your registration may become inactive if:

How to check your registration

  1. Visit the official website:
    https://www.recenseamento.pt/
  2. Enter:
    • Your civil identification number (from your Citizen Card) and date of birth
      or
    • Your full name and date of birth
  3. The system will show:
    • If you are registered
    • Where you are registered (which consular area).Check your registration as early as possible.

 Register or Update Your Details (Important Deadline)

To vote in the 2026 election, your registration must be correct at least 60 days before election day.

For this election, the deadline is around 18–19 November 2025
(60 days before 18 January 2026).

After this date, no new registrations or changes will be accepted for this election.

How to Register or Update Your Information

 Online (Recommended)

Use the Portal do Eleitor:
https://www.portaldoeleitor.pt/

⚠️ Your voter registration address is always linked to the address on your Cartão de Cidadão.

 Update Your Citizen Card Address

If your address is wrong or outdated:

After updating, you will receive a confirmation letter.
Your voter registration is only updated after this confirmation.

In Person

Visit your nearest Portuguese embassy or consulate with:

They can help you:

If your Citizen Card is expired, renew it first. This often reactivates your voter registration.

 How to Vote from Abroad in 2026

For presidential elections, overseas voting is only done in person.

Postal voting is not available for presidential elections.
You must vote at a consulate or embassy.

Voting Details for Overseas Citizens

Voting Process on Election Day

  1. Go to the voting station
  2. Show your identification document
  3. Receive the ballot paper
  4. Mark your choice with an “X”
  5. Place the ballot in the envelope and vote

Voting is secret, free, and secure.

Important Note About Early Voting

There is no early voting for citizens registered abroad.

Early voting (voto antecipado) is only for citizens registered in Portugal who are temporarily outside the country.

Official Information Sources

Final Advice

Do not wait until the last minute.

Check your registration now

Your vote matters. Wherever you live, you have the right to help choose Portugal’s next President.

This article is based on official Portuguese electoral rules as of December 2025. Always check official government websites for the latest updates, as procedures and dates may change.

By ppr | Portugal Elections

Published: December 2025
Last Updated: December 2025

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