From November 21st, requests for new benefits to the National Social Security Institute (INSS) must be made using biometric proof. Created with the aim of combating fraud, the change will not be applied to active benefits.
According to the institute, the implementation of biometric registration will gradually reach other beneficiaries, but without the risk of automatic blocking.
“Those who are already retired, pensioners or receive some assistance do not need to take any immediate action”, informs the INSS.
In cases where a biometric update is necessary, the INSS will contact the beneficiary through an individual communication, which, according to the institute, will be made in advance to provide the National Identity Card (CIN), “without any impact on the receipt of your payment”.
The reference document to be used for biometrics will be the National Identity Card.
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According to the institute, the changes aim to modernize the system, in order to ensure that resources “reach those who are truly entitled”.
See who is exempt from the requirement
According to the institute, the regulations provide for some situations in which the requirement for biometric registration will be waived. They are:
As long as the public authorities do not offer alternatives to the public below:
• People over 80 years old;
• People with difficulty traveling due to health reasons (with proof);
• Residents of areas that are difficult to access (such as riverside communities served by PREVBarco);
• Migrants in refugee situations and stateless people;
• Residents abroad.
Temporarily, for those who request the following benefits until April 30, 2026:
• People who request maternity pay;
• People who request benefits due to temporary incapacity;
• People who request a death pension;
Timeline:
• From November 21, 2025: Any new INSS benefit request will require the citizen to have a biometric registration. In this first phase, biometrics from the National Identity Card (CIN), National Driving License (CNH) or Voter ID card will be accepted.
• From May 1, 2026: Anyone who requests a new benefit and does not have any biometrics in the accepted documents (CIN, CNH or TSE) will need to issue a National Identity Card (CIN) to proceed with the request. For those who already have biometrics, nothing changes.
• From January 1, 2028: The CIN will become the only document with biometrics accepted for all applications and maintenance of benefits at the INSS, unifying and simplifying identification.
