Through the International Judicial Cooperation Unit (Central Authority), you can request the establishment, modification and recovery of maintenance from a citizen residing abroad even if they do not know the exact location of the person.

This is achieved through cooperation between Portugal and other countries, either through agreements, or through diplomatic arrangements. 

The maintenance established, modified or recovered may be for themselves or their children, minors or adults.

Who can apply

Any person residing in Portugal, irrespective of their nationality and their children, may request the establishment, modification and recovery of maintenance from a citizen residing abroad.

How to apply

If you live abroad

People living abroad should contact their national entities. Click here to find your national entity.

If you live in Portugal

The documents needed to make the application for establishment, modification or recovery of maintenance vary according to the country where the person to pay maintenance is resident and the international judicial cooperation instrument applicable.

Thus, to find out what documents are required, you should first fill in this form.

Once you have gathered all the necessary documents, you must deliver them in person to our Central Authority or send them by post to: 

Direção-Geral da Administração da Justiça / Divisão de Cooperação Judiciária Internacional
Av. D. João II, n.º 1.08.01 D/E, Ed. H - Piso 14.º
1990-097 Lisboa
Portugal

If you need some clarification, please contact:

• by this form
• by phone (+351) 217 906 500

How to locate the person required to pay maintenance?

If you do not know the location of the person who is required to pay maintenance, the requesting Central Authority can locate it for you.

If you live abroad

People living abroad should contact their national entities. Click here to find your national entity.

If you live in Portugal

To apply for location, please fill in this form.

Following elements may be needed: 

• full name of the person (mandatory)
• the date of birth (mandatory)
• the address where the person is likely to live (as complete as possible)
• the country where that person is likely to be 
• other elements that could help to locate the person (such as the place of work, contact details and addresses of relatives or friends living in the same country where he or she assumes that the person will be).

The Center Authority cannot disclose the address of the debtor obtains throughout the case. Only may inform the person who made the request on the existence of an address, income or assets of the debtor.

How much does it cost

The application to establish, modify and recovery of maintenance has no cost. However, in some cases where the applicant has more than 21 years old, could be necessary legal aid.

For more information about the proceedings in Portugal related to maintenance obligations see:

• E-Justice Portal 
• Country Profiles for 2007 Hague Convention.