How to get a medical certificate for the hunting and firearm exams in Portugal

Medical certificate for hunting: the quick answer

To obtain or renew a Portuguese hunter's card, known as a carta de caçador, you need a medical certificate confirming that you are physically and psychologically fit to hunt.On mainland Portugal, the certificate must have been issued less than 90 days before you submit it to the ICNF. You can obtain it through an in-person appointment or, when the doctor considers a remote assessment appropriate, by video consultation.Through our partnership with Dr. Online, the video consultation costs €25 instead of the standard €35. Last-minute appointments are often available. If the assessment is favorable and no further information is required, the electronic certificate is sent to you by email.

A medical certificate is only issued following a favorable medical assessment.

Before booking: which medical certificate do you need?

The Portuguese hunter's card, seasonal hunting license, firearm license and FPT or FPTAC licenses are different documents with different requirements.

Always tell the doctor exactly what the certificate is for. A certificate for a hunter's card and a certificate for a firearm license are subject to different legal requirements, even when the same medical provider offers both services.The FPT and FPTAC Sports Medical Examination is another document altogether. Do not book a general hunting certificate if your club has asked you for the official IPDJ sports medical form.

How to obtain a medical certificate for hunting online

1. Confirm the purpose of the certificate

If you are registering for the ICNF examination or renewing your hunter's card, ask for a medical certificate confirming your fitness to hunt.If your application concerns a Portuguese firearm license, known as a licença de uso e porte de arma or LUPA, state that you need a certificate for the PSP. If you know the relevant firearm class, include it when booking.

2. Book your video consultation

Open the appointment calendar and choose the most convenient time. Appointments are often available on the same day or within the following few days, although availability cannot be guaranteed.Copy the code "CINERGETICA2026" before proceeding to payment. This reduces the consultation price to €25.

3. Prepare for the appointment

Have the following information ready:

• Your Citizen Card, passport or other identification document;

• the exact purpose of the certificate and the authority receiving it;

• details of any medical conditions, previous operations and regular medication;

• your glasses or contact lenses, if you use them;

• any relevant medical reports or test results.

Make sure that the name and identification details entered during booking match your official documents.

4. Attend the medical assessment

During the video consultation, the doctor will assess your physical and psychological condition. You may be asked to answer questions about your medical history and perform simple checks in front of the camera.Answer all questions accurately. The appointment is a genuine medical assessment, not an administrative formality. The doctor can only issue a certificate when there is enough information to conclude that you are fit for the stated activity.If there is any clinical uncertainty, the doctor may request reports, additional tests or an in-person examination.

5. Receive the certificate by email

When the assessment is favorable and no additional information is required, Dr. Online states that the electronic medical certificate is sent by email following the video consultation. Issuance is never automatic or guaranteed in advance. View the Dr. Online hunting and firearm certificate service.Before submitting the document, check that:

• Your personal details are correct;

• the intended purpose is clearly identified;

• the date of issue is visible;

• the doctor's identification and signature are included;

• the complete document is readable.

6. Submit the certificate

For a hunter's card, you can upload the certificate through the ICNF's Área do Caçador when registering for the examination or requesting a renewal. The certificate must have been issued less than 90 days before submission. See the ICNF examination procedure.For a firearm license, submit the appropriate certificate as part of your application to the PSP. The medical examination must cover your physical and psychological fitness to possess, use and carry a firearm. See Article 23 of the Portuguese Firearms Act.

What must the hunting medical certificate confirm?

For a hunter's card, the certificate must establish that you do not have a psychological, organic or physiological condition that would make hunting dangerous.You do not need to write or complete the certificate yourself. That is the doctor's responsibility. You only need to explain that it will be used to obtain or renew a Portuguese carta de caçador.For an initial application, you will normally also need:

• Your identification document;

• your Portuguese tax number, or NIF;

• a criminal record certificate or permission for the ICNF to obtain it;

• authorization from a legal representative if applicable.

The examination registration and hunter's card application are handled together. See the official requirements in Portaria n.º 140-B/2016.

How long is the certificate valid?

For ICNF applications, the correct rule is that the medical certificate must have been issued less than 90 days before it is submitted.Do not interpret this simply as "valid for three months", since calendar months have different lengths. To avoid your application being rejected, submit the certificate comfortably before the 90-day limit.The same rule applies when renewing a hunter's card. See the ICNF renewal document checklist.

Are a hunter's card and a hunting license the same thing?

No.The carta de caçador, or hunter's card, confirms that you are qualified to hunt in Portugal. This is the document for which the ICNF requires a medical certificate.The licença de caça is the hunting license that authorizes you to hunt during a particular period or hunting season. To obtain it, you must hold a valid hunter's card and the required liability insurance. Purchasing the seasonal hunting license does not normally require a new medical certificate. See the official hunting license requirements.If you intend to hunt with a firearm, you also need the appropriate firearm license and the other documents required by law.

Does the hunting certificate also cover a firearm license?

Do not assume that it does.The certificate submitted to the ICNF concerns your fitness to hunt. A certificate for a LUPA must specifically address your physical and psychological fitness to possess, use and carry a firearm.Our partner offers medical consultations for both purposes, but you must identify the correct application when booking. If you need documents for both the ICNF and the PSP, confirm that the doctor will issue certificates that meet the requirements of each authority.

Does this certificate cover the FPT or FPTAC?

Not automatically.The Portuguese Shooting Federation, or FPT, and the Portuguese Hunting Arms Shooting Federation, or FPTAC, require an annual Sports Medical Examination using the official IPDJ form.This is not the same as the medical certificate used for a hunter's card or firearm license.If you searched for an "FPT medical certificate" or "FPTAC medical certificate", ask your shooting club which form you need before booking an appointment. The doctor must conduct the appropriate sports assessment and complete the required form. See the FPT medical examination information and FPTAC documentation.

Frequently asked questions

Can I obtain a hunting medical certificate by video consultation?

Yes, when the doctor considers that the necessary assessment can be performed remotely. The doctor may request additional medical information, tests or an in-person examination.The ICNF's online application process allows supporting documents to be uploaded digitally, but the certificate must still satisfy all applicable requirements.

Is the certificate issued automatically?

No. You are paying for a medical consultation and assessment, not purchasing a guaranteed result. The certificate is only issued if the doctor concludes that you are medically fit.

Can I receive the certificate on the same day?

If an appointment is available, the assessment is favorable and no additional information is needed, the partner states that the certificate is sent by email following the consultation. This should not be understood as a guaranteed delivery time.

Does the ICNF require a particular medical specialist?

The ICNF requirements do not specify a mandatory medical specialty. It is up to the doctor to decide whether they have enough information and the appropriate means to conduct the assessment and issue the certificate.

Do I need a new certificate to renew my hunter's card?

Yes. A renewal application includes a medical certificate issued less than 90 days before submission, together with the other documents required by the ICNF.

Do I need a medical certificate every year?

Not simply to purchase the seasonal hunting license. The medical certificate is associated with obtaining or renewing the hunter's card.Different rules apply to FPT and FPTAC sports licenses, which require an annual Sports Medical Examination.

Is an online certificate guaranteed to be accepted?

No provider should guarantee acceptance regardless of the document's contents. Make sure the doctor knows whether the certificate is intended for the ICNF, PSP, FPT or FPTAC and check that all your details are correct before submitting it.

Is the process the same in Madeira and the Azores?

Not necessarily. Madeira and the Azores have their own regional services and procedures. This guide covers the ICNF process used in mainland Portugal.

Partnership disclosure: Cinergética may receive a commission when you book through our link. Your promotional price is €25.