I keep seeing an option for verifying ID on Portuguese government and online banking websites using a Digital Mobile Key (CMD or Chave Model Digital). My bank (BCP) keeps asking for thorough verification of foreign ID and address every few months, which is really annoying, but it looks like a CMD makes the process simpler when outside Portugal.
Has anyone here applied for and used the CMD as a GV holder? Is it worth it? I’m not in Portugal right now so was thinking of going to the nearest consulate and setting it up, but not sure if it is worth my time.
I understand that under EU rules banks have to verify their customers but Millennium BCP seem ask for this more frequently than other EU banks I hold accounts with – more than once in a 12 month period when other banks are doing it every 2-3 years. How do forum members’ experiences with other Portuguese banks vary?
I don’t think getting the Chave Digital would prevent the requests to provide Millennium BCP with information, but it might make filing the information easier. I’ve tried to reply to the addresses provided in the emails, but these did not work (one email address bounced mails, one did not reply) and I have tried and using BancoMail to file the information requested (the mail sent, but no-one responded to it). Emailing the branch manager did work – but not enough to prevent another automatic request 8 months later.
That email address BCP provided bounces for me too! Thanks for confirming it wasn’t just a problem I’m having. I couldn’t get any useful info from their customer service line, and my branch manager isn’t responding to email. I mean, seriously, what kind of bank sends customers notice that they will close your account if you don’t email certain documents but then provides an email that doesn’t work?
I have another Portuguese bank account with Bison Bank (which requests verification much less often) so might just shut BCP altogether. An impetus for setting up the CMD was to make it easier to remotely open an account with another bank.
You can get the CMD if you are a GV card holder (or any other permit holder for that matter). But if you are hoping this would be of any use with PT banks - forget it
I tried it for an ‘easy way’ with both Activo and MBCP - both failed miserably with some random error messages.
As the locals say, welcome to Portugal!
I do have it, and the only place where I occasionally used it was to log onto Finanças web site. My bank, Novobanco, never bugs me for the CMD. Wouldn’t say it is really “worth it”.
FYI, I live in Portugal, but still do not have my card, and so: yes, you can get it even without your residency card, just your NIF, PT address, and PT phone, to which it is linked.
If your (reading) Portuguese is up to snuff, try the following link: Como obter Chave Movél Digital?
It gives a rather easy-to-read and a complete guide to how to start going about it.
Ok good to know. BCP does seem to push it as an option. Also I read that foreign mobile numbers are ok, which makes sense given the large Portuguese population living abroad. It just can’t be a VOIP number, like Google Voice.
No, it’s just that my US number is T-Mobile too so I might encounter the same problem. I do have a PT number though so sounds like better sticking with that.
I don’t think it was an issue. I believe their database ultimately can’t handle foreign phone numbers since, technically, they will use your CMD to send you important communications via SMS, and their software might not function with texting to the foreign numbers.
