Lost your Citizen Card PIN? Here is what to do

The process for recovering Citizen Card PIN codes depends on when the document was issued and whether the card has already been collected.

By Sidsel Senius , in News · 05 Oct 2026, 18:03 · 0 Comments

People who have lost their Citizen Card PIN letter may need to renew their card, depending on when it was issued.

For cards issued before 16 April 2018, holders who no longer have the letter and need new PIN codes must renew the document, according to gov.pt.

However, losing the letter does not require renewal if the holder still knows and can use the codes.

Newer cards allow PUK recovery

For Citizen Cards issued from 16 April 2018 onwards, holders who have lost their PIN letter can request recovery of their PUK code in person.

The PUK allows holders to set new PIN codes without replacing the Citizen Card.

Recovery is generally carried out by verifying the cardholder’s fingerprints at a Citizen Card counter and costs five euros.

What is in the PIN letter?

The PIN letter contains several codes linked to the Citizen Card’s digital services and should be kept throughout the card’s validity period.

These include PINs for confirming address changes, online authentication and digital signatures, as well as a code for cancelling the card.

Lost the letter before collecting your card?

Different rules apply if the PIN letter is lost before the new Citizen Card has been collected.

A duplicate PIN letter can be requested within 90 days of applying for or renewing the card, provided the card has not yet been collected.

After 90 days, a duplicate can no longer be requested and a new Citizen Card will be required to obtain new codes.

What if a PIN is blocked?

A PIN becomes blocked if it is entered incorrectly three consecutive times. Blocking one PIN does not prevent holders from using the card’s other codes.

The blocked PIN can be unlocked in person at a Citizen Card counter. Holders who still have their PIN letter should take it with them.

The unlocking service is free. This is different from PUK recovery, which costs five euros and applies to eligible cards when the PIN letter has been lost.

Check when your card was issued

The key date is 16 April 2018; people with cards issued from that date onwards can recover the PUK and set new PINs without replacing the card.

Those with cards issued before 16 April 2018 who have lost their PIN letter and need new codes must renew their Citizen Card.