Operational passport service, albeit with some delays experienced
In the busy holiday season of July 2025, delays in the issuance of Portuguese Electronic Passports (PEP) were reported, primarily due to technical constraints and system slowdowns within the Institute of Registries and Notaries (IRN) passport issuance system [1]. These issues were exacerbated by increased demand during the summer months and a shortage of human resources, as highlighted by the Registry and Notary Workers' Union (STRN).
The STRN reported critical system malfunctions in registry offices nationwide, notably in Arruda dos Vinhos and Caldas da Rainha, severely impacting the processing of urgent documents like the PEP during a period of peak demand [1].
In response, the IRN confirmed that the passport system remains operational but acknowledged experiencing slowdowns affecting user service responsiveness [1]. To address these problems, the IRN has deployed a dedicated technical team to continuously monitor the system for service stability and is working to ensure steady operation despite the demand surge.
The STRN has urged the government to take urgent measures to definitively resolve the IT problems, which have been ongoing for weeks, particularly critical during holiday periods due to the volume of applications and staffing constraints [1].
Despite the reported computer constraints affecting the issuance of urgent documents, the IRN confirmed that the passport issuance system is operational [1]. The IRN attributed the slowdowns in the passport issuance system to an increase in demand for passport services during peak periods in July.
During the summer months, the passport issuance system experienced some slowdowns, specifically affecting user service times and service responsiveness. The STRN did not mention any contradiction regarding the operational status of the passport issuance system.
The STRN reported a total of 46,971 passport applications were received nationwide in July, but did not provide specific numbers regarding the increase in passport applications during this period.
In summary, delays in the issuance of Portuguese Electronic Passports during the holiday period in July 2025 were primarily due to technical constraints and system slowdowns within the IRN passport issuance system. These issues were exacerbated by increased demand during the summer months and a shortage of human resources. The IRN has a technical team dedicated to monitoring the system to ensure service stability, and the STRN has called for urgent government action to permanently fix the IT problems.
The delays in the issuance of Portuguese Electronic Passports were attributed to technical constraints and system slowdowns within the IRN passport system, which is dependent on technology. The IRN is addressing these issues by deploying a dedicated technical team to monitor the system and ensure service stability.
