An urgent processing request (or expedited handling) may be submitted when exceptional circumstances justify priority review of a Portuguese nationality application.
Some examples commonly accepted by the registry offices include:
- Urgent need to obtain nationality to exercise a professional activity;
- Approaching deadline for loss of a right related to nationality;
- Urgent need to issue Portuguese documents for study, work or residence;
- Seriously proven health situations; and
- Humanitarian cases or matters of significant public interest.
The request must be substantiated and supported by documentary evidence. Personal convenience or a wish to speed up the process is, as a rule, not sufficient.