What is it?

The military census (registration with the Ministry of National Defense for the provision of Military Service) is, since 2009, universal (covering men and women) and automatic, but it is not mandatory, and it is not necessary to travel to the consular post in the citizen's area of ​​residence to register. The automatic process takes place from the calendar year in which the national citizen turns 17 years of age, with no formalities being carried out.

 

National Defense Day (DDN)

However, attendance at the National Defense Day in Portugal remains mandatory for citizens whose names appear in public notices published annually.

The call notices are available for consultation online on the Ministry of National Defense’s website – http://bud.defesa.pt/ddn/informacoes.html, allowing you to learn about the National Defense Day Center and your scheduled day of appearance, for the performance of this military duty.

Portuguese citizens who were born or reside abroad and who wish to attend that initiative, should therefore pay attention to the notices or, alternatively, if their name is not included in them, voluntarily request the appointment of a day for the call to comply with the military duty of attendance at National Defense Day. For this purpose, they must send a fax, letter, or e-mail to the Director-General of National Defense Resources of the Ministry of National Defence, which must include the full name, number and expiry date of the Portuguese identification document, affiliation, address and preferred day for the call.

 

National Defense Day Waiver (NDD)

Portuguese citizens who were born or legally reside abroad for a period longer than six months may be exempted from attending the DDN that takes place in Portugal. To do so, they must apply for exemption by means of an application addressed to the Director General of National Defense Resources of the Ministry of National Defence, accompanied by a certificate of residence for military purposes issued by the consular post in the area of ​​residence, which must contain the date from which he took up residence there.

Portuguese citizens who are temporarily abroad for various reasons, or who have been studying or working there for less than six months, may request the postponement of their attendance at the National Defense Day through an application addressed to the Director-General of National Defense Resources, attaching documentation proving the reason indicated (list of impediments that can be invoked on the application form).

The application is available from the website of the Directorate-General for National Defense Resources http://bud.defesa.pt/ddn/adiamento.html

Citizens must go to the consular post in their area of ​​residence requesting the signature of the waiver/adjournment application and the issuance of the certificate of residence for military purposes in case of waiver.

It must be the citizen to directly submit the waiver/deferral application and other supporting documentation to:

By email: ddn@defesa.pt

By letter: Direção-Geral de Recursos da Defesa Nacional, Avenida Ilha da Madeira, n.º 1, 4º andar, 1400-204 Lisboa, Portugal.

 

Necessary documents

To apply for Waiver/Postponement of the National Defense Day, the following documents are required:

  • Citizen Card;
  • Application for Waiver / Postponement downloaded from the internet, duly completed by the interested party, except for signature, which must be affixed in person before the consular authorities;
  • Proof of permanent residence for more than six months in the case of Waiver of Appearance, with date of entry into the country;
  • Proof of the reasons invoked in the case of Postponement of Appearance;
  • Proof that the residence is abroad by presenting a document issued by the consular post of the area of ​​residence or alternatively (in situations where you live far from the consular post) by a certificate of residence issued by the local authorities (“Commune”);
  • Residence certificate proving that you have been legally residing abroad on a permanent and continuous basis for more than six months (preferably with a date of entry into the country; Eventually, Certificate of enrollment issued by an educational establishment; Eventually, an Employment Contract with a term of more than 6 months.

 

Useful legislation

Military Service Law - Organic Law No. 1/2008, of 6 May

Military Service Regulations – Decree-Law No. 52/2009, of March 2

  • Share