Portugal Embassy attestation is required when UAE-issued documents need to be effective and officially accepted in Portugal. Government departments, employers, universities, courts and business organisations may request legalised documents before they can be used for employment, education, residence, company matters or other formal procedures. The Embassy of Portugal in Abu Dhabi states that documents issued in the UAE must be legalised before they can take effect in Portugal.
Employment in Portugal: Degree certificates, diplomas, professional qualifications, experience certificates and other documents required for employment or professional registration.
Higher Education: Academic certificates, transcripts and diplomas needed for university admission, further study or qualification assessment in Portugal.
Business and Commercial Activities: Trade licences, company incorporation papers, board resolutions, powers of attorney and other commercial documents used for business registration, contracts or corporate procedures.
Personal and Legal Matters: Birth certificates, marriage certificates, police clearance certificates, affidavits and other documents required for residence, family applications, civil registration or legal matters in Portugal.
Before a UAE-issued document is submitted to the Embassy of Portugal in Abu Dhabi, it normally needs certification by the competent UAE authority and attestation by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Embassy may also require the original document, proof of identity and details of the purpose for which the certification is requested. Translation may be needed when the receiving authority in Portugal does not accept the document’s original language.
Before the Embassy of Portugal in Abu Dhabi can legalise a UAE-issued document, it must first be attested by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). The Embassy then legalises the document by verifying the authenticity of the signature and seal on the UAE MOFA attestation, allowing the document to be legally recognised for use in Portugal.
The Embassy of Portugal in Abu Dhabi has consular jurisdiction over documents issued in the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Iraq. If a document is not originally in Portuguese, English or French, a certified translation bearing the UAE MOFA stamp must also be submitted as part of the legalisation process.
The documents required for Portugal Embassy legalisation depend on the type of document and its intended use in Portugal. Portugal Embassy legalisation is carried out on original UAE-issued documents that have already been attested by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). Depending on your application, you may also be required to provide:
Original UAE-issued document: Bearing the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) attestation.
Proof of identity: Original passport, passport copy attested by the competent authorities, or a Portuguese identification document, where applicable.
Supporting documents: Documents explaining the purpose of the legalisation, if requested by the Embassy.
Authorisation letter: Required if the application is submitted by an authorised representative.
Certified translation: A translation bearing the UAE MOFA stamp when the document is not originally in Portuguese, English or French.
Sample of a Portugal Embassy legalised document
UAE-issued documents generally complete the following legalisation process before they can be used in Portugal.
Step 1 – Authentication by the Competent UAE Authority
Depending on the document type, the document may first require authentication by the relevant UAE authority before it can proceed for further legalisation.
Step 2 – UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA)
The authenticated document must then be certified by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). Portugal Embassy legalisation is completed only after the UAE MOFA certification has been applied.
Step 3 – Portugal Embassy Legalisation
The document is submitted to the Embassy of Portugal in Abu Dhabi, where the Embassy verifies the authenticity of the UAE MOFA signature and seal before completing the legalisation process.
Step 4 – Use of the Document in Portugal
After legalisation, the document can be presented to the relevant authority in Portugal for the purpose for which it was legalised.
Portugal Embassy legalisation is available by appointment. Applicants should ensure that all required documents have been prepared before attending the Embassy.
Appointments are personal: Appointments cannot be transferred to another applicant.
Authorised representative: An authorised representative may attend with a valid authorisation letter.
Document limit: One appointment permits the submission of up to three documents.
Additional documents: Additional appointments are required when submitting more than three documents.
Processing time: Documents are generally ready within five to ten business days, except in documented urgent cases.
Documents that are not originally issued in Portuguese, English or French must be accompanied by a certified translation bearing the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) stamp before they are submitted for Portugal Embassy legalisation.
