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Verifying your identity

We may ask you to verify your identity for several reasons, such as protecting your account, preventing fraud, and complying with legal and operational requirements defined by our partner entity, Swan, which is responsible for the payment services linked to your account. This process helps keep both your account and our system secure, especially in situations that involve unusual activity, such as high‑value or atypical transactions.

Identity verification is generally available 24/7 and, once started, you have 10 minutes to complete the process for security reasons.


Why am I being asked to verify my identity?

There are several reasons why we may request identity verification:

  • Protect your account: Linking your identity to your device and PIN strengthens the security of your access.
  • Prevent fraud: Rigorous verification helps prevent unauthorized transactions.
  • Legal and operational requirements: Swan may request additional checks when necessary to ensure the proper functioning of the account.

What makes a document unacceptable?

Common issues

What to do
Non-authentic or expired. Use original, valid documents.
Damaged or poor lighting. Ensure good lighting and clear photos.
Glare or plastic shine. Tilt the document slightly to avoid reflections.
Only one side is shown. Include both front and back

Make sure your document is readable, updated, undamaged, and clearly photographed from both sides.

What is a Portuguese residence permit?

A Portuguese residence permit (Título de Residência) is an official document issued to non-EU/EEA nationals who have been granted the right to live in Portugal. It serves as proof of legal residency and is required for accessing financial services, including opening a Rauva account.
The card is a credit card-sized plastic document containing your photo, name, nationality, date of birth, permit number, and expiration date. It also includes a biometric chip with your fingerprints and signature.

There are two types:

  • Temporary residence permit — valid for 2 years, renewable for successive 3-year periods.

  • Permanent residence permit — available after 5 years of continuous legal residence, valid for 5 years (renewable).

Why does Rauva require this document?

As a licensed financial institution operating in Portugal, Rauva is legally required to verify the identity and legal residency status of all account holders. For non-EU/EEA nationals, the Portuguese residence permit is the document that confirms you are authorized to reside in the country. This allows us to comply with anti-money laundering (AML) regulations and Know Your Customer (KYC) obligations.

How do I get a Portuguese residence permit?

The residence permit is issued by AIMA (Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo), the Portuguese agency responsible for immigration. The typical process is:

  1. Apply for a long-term visa (type D) at the Portuguese consulate in your home country.

  2. Travel to Portugal and schedule an appointment with AIMA within 120 days of arrival.

  3. Attend your AIMA appointment to submit documents and provide biometric data (fingerprints, photo, signature).

What if I don't have my residence permit yet?

If you are a citizen of the European Union, we accept the CRUE (Certificado de Registo de Cidadão da União Europeia) for account verification while your final residency process is being settled with AIMA.

For all other applicants, please note that a visa or a simple receipt of application is not sufficient for account verification. If you have applied for a residence permit but have not yet received the physical card, you will need to wait until the document is issued to open your Rauva account. Due to current administrative delays at AIMA, we recommend completing your Rauva onboarding only once you have either your CRUE (for EU citizens) or your physical residence card in hand.

Why is my verification taking longer than expected?

The verification process can take up to 3 business days to be completed. In some situations, we may need additional information and, if that’s the case, we will contact you by email.

Without an update after 3 days? Reach out via:

  • Desktop: Click Contact Support in the left-hand menu when logged in.
  • Mobile: Scroll to the bottom of the main menu and tap Support.

 

 

 

Rauva has a partnership with Swan, which provides all payment services to Rauva's clients. Swan is authorized and supervised in France by the ACPR/Banque de France, operating in Portugal under the freedom to provide services as an Electronic Money Institution (EMI) and registered as an authorized entity under no. 7893 in the Bank of Portugal. Rauva does not provide payment services and does not take possession of customer funds. Clients' funds are protected in accordance with applicable legislation.

Rauva is a certified accounting firm but not a law firm. Therefore, Rauva does not provide legal services. Through its technological platform, Rauva facilitates its clients’ access to legal services provided by duly qualified and registered professionals in Portugal.