The old Portuguese Identity Card is no longer accepted as a travel document in the EU and Schengen area since August 3, 2026. This change applies even to documents with lifelong validity, meaning that Portuguese citizens who still have the old BI will have to use a valid Citizen Card or passport to travel to these destinations.
The change results from new European and international rules that require more sophisticated security mechanisms in travel documents, namely systems that allow optical and electronic reading of holders' data. The old BI does not have these features, which led to its exclusion as a valid document for crossing borders in the European area.
However, TAP clarified that within national territory the Identity Card can continue to be used as an identification document. The change is limited to the travel document function for cross-border travel, not meaning the invalidation of the document for all purposes in Portugal.
For travel within the EU or Schengen area, the Citizen Card becomes the usual option to replace the old BI. For destinations outside these areas, requirements vary according to each country. TAP recommends that passengers confirm in advance that they have an accepted document at the destination before starting the journey.
