Portugal gender and name changes may reach record highs

Portugal is on track to potentially record a new annual high for gender and name changes in the civil registry. Data from the Instituto dos Registos e do Notariado (IRN) shows that 378 processes were recorded between January and June, representing nearly 70% of the total volume from the entire year of 2025.

Of these 378 administrative changes, 206 were from female to male and 172 were from male to female. Geographically, Lisbon recorded the highest number of procedures with 199, more than double the 97 recorded in Porto. Other districts with notable activity include Setúbal, Aveiro, Faro, and Braga.

Separately, the National Health Service (SNS) reported 55 gender-affirming surgeries during the first half of the year. Approximately 73% of those undergoing surgery were between the ages of 18 and 30. Since 2015, nearly one thousand people in Portugal have updated their sex and first name in the civil registry.