European Criminal Record Certificate Now Available

Portuguese citizens with a clean record who request a national criminal record certificate online will also get a free European version.

Introduction

Good news for Portuguese citizens: if you apply for your national criminal record certificate online, you will now also receive a European version of the document for free.

This change, announced by the Ministry of Justice, makes it easier to use your criminal record certificate in other EU countries, saving both time and money.

How It Works

The Ministry of Justice explained that whenever a national criminal record certificate is requested, the system will now automatically generate a European version at the same time, at no extra cost.

This option is available only for Portuguese citizens who do not have a criminal record (clean record). The process is managed by the Directorate-General for the Administration of Justice (DGAJ).

What Is the European Criminal Record Certificate?

The European version is a multilingual document that can be used across the EU. Its main advantages are:

• No need to pay for translations.

• No need for an apostille.

• Accepted in all EU countries.

This is especially helpful for people who want to work, study, or move abroad in Europe.

Things to Keep in Mind

The European certificate cannot be used alone. It must always be shown together with the Portuguese criminal record certificate.

Cost of the National Certificate

The national certificate costs €5 and can be requested online through the official website: registocriminal.justica.gov.pt.

The European version is free and comes automatically with the national one.

Conclusion

This new measure makes life easier for Portuguese citizens who need to present their criminal record in other EU countries. By providing a free European version, the government has removed the hassle of translations and extra paperwork.

If you have a clean record, you can now enjoy this benefit every time you apply online for your national certificate.