In an interview with Antena 1 and Jornal de Negócios, Mário Campolargo said that the replacement will be gradual, as the current cards expire.

In the middle of this year, he said, Portugal will launch “a new citizen card, with a very appealing 'design' which will be at the forefront in terms of security and quality”.

Another of the new features will the fact that the card will be contactless.

In 2023, the government intends to open eight new Citizens' Stores.