CMD at the counter or eIDAS login: Which Is Better in Portugal? (2026)
The short answer
Chave Móvel Digital wins for anyone staying beyond a few months: one counter visit unlocks every Portuguese portal and qualified signatures. eIDAS suffices only for occasional logins by EU citizens who never plan to settle.
Row by row
Fees verified August 2026 against each provider's published data
| Criterion | CMD at the counter | eIDAS login |
|---|---|---|
| Setup effort | zero setupWins | |
| Portal coverage | every PT portal; eIDAS only someWins | |
| Signature capability | qualified signaturesWins | |
| Longevity | multi-yearWins | |
| Failure modes | no expiry tied to PT documentsWins |
So which one
Pick CMD at the counter if
- You will interact with Finanças, Segurança Social, SNS or AIMA online more than twice.
Pick eIDAS login if
- You are an EU citizen handling a one-off task and your national eID is eIDAS-notified.
Other comparisons
6 more pairsHow we compared these two
The criteria are fixed
Every comparison on this site uses the same 5 rows in the same order, so two pages can be read against each other. We do not add a row because one side happens to win it.
A win is a stated threshold
A row is won on the published number or capability, not on judgement. Ties are declared rather than broken. Figures come from provider price lists and official sources.
How we get paid
Both links earn a commission at the same rate, so the winner of a row is never the higher-paying one. Fees come from each provider's own published price list, not a comparison feed.
Sources: provider price lists and official data, accessed August 2026. Next review: November 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, CMD at the counter or eIDAS login?
Chave Móvel Digital wins for anyone staying beyond a few months: one counter visit unlocks every Portuguese portal and qualified signatures. eIDAS suffices only for occasional logins by EU citizens who never plan to settle.
When should I pick CMD at the counter?
You will interact with Finanças, Segurança Social, SNS or AIMA online more than twice.
When should I pick eIDAS login?
You are an EU citizen handling a one-off task and your national eID is eIDAS-notified.