Need to send a letter by post in Portugal, but you are abroad, have no printer, or simply no patience for queues? This guide explains what you can actually do 100% online in Portugal in 2026, depending on the type of mail: regular mail, priority mail or a registered letter.
The three types of mail offered by CTT
CTT is the Portuguese postal service, the equivalent of Royal Mail or USPS. For letters, it offers three main options:
| Type | What it is for | Proof of delivery |
|---|---|---|
| Regular mail (correio normal) | Everyday correspondence, no urgency, no legal weight | None |
| Priority mail (correio azul) | Faster delivery for time-sensitive correspondence | None |
| Registered letter (carta registada) | Communications that need proof of sending and tracking | Proof of sending; with AR, a signed proof of receipt |
AR stands for aviso de receção, the signed proof-of-delivery slip: the recipient signs it on delivery and CTT returns it to the sender. The rule of thumb: if the letter has legal or contractual consequences (rental notices, contract terminations, debt collection, insurers, telecom providers), it should go registered with proof of delivery. For simple correspondence, regular or priority mail is enough.
What CTT lets you do online (and what it does not)
Contrary to what you sometimes read, CTT does not offer individuals a service where you upload a PDF and they print and send the letter, whether by regular, priority or registered mail. As of July 2026, CTT's online service only generates the shipping paperwork (acceptance slip and label); you still have to finish the sending at a post office. CTT's official help pages state (in Portuguese) that the sending must be completed at a CTT shop or CTT point.
In practice, for any type of mail sent through CTT yourself, you still need to print the letter, put it in an envelope, and go to a counter, a CTT point or a postbox in Portugal.
How to send without leaving home (or from abroad)
The alternative is to use a service that handles the physical part for you: it receives your document, prints it, puts it in an envelope and hands it to CTT. The recipient gets a normal physical letter, exactly as if you had posted it at the counter yourself.
That is what cartaregistada.pt does today for registered letters with proof of delivery: you upload your PDF (or Word file, or a photo), enter the recipient's details, pay €14.99, and the letter is sent through CTT with AR within 2 business days, with proof of sending emailed to you. It works for any content and also from outside Portugal, which makes it especially useful for expats, non-resident landlords and companies dealing with Portuguese counterparties.
Prefer regular or priority mail?
Same process, without registration or proof of delivery: you upload the file, we print it and send it in Portugal by regular or priority (azul) mail.
When each option makes sense
- Regular mail: greeting cards, personal correspondence, documents with no urgency and no need for proof. It is the cheapest option at the counter, but it requires a stamp, printing and a trip to the post office.
- Priority mail: when speed matters but you do not need proof. It gets priority handling and faster delivery than regular mail.
- Registered letter with AR: whenever you might need to prove that you sent the letter and that the recipient received it. In many Portuguese rental situations it is actually required by law.
Costs in 2026
At a CTT counter, a plain letter costs the price of the stamp (it varies with weight and format), and a registered letter with proof of delivery costs around €6 for light documents, not counting printing, the envelope, the trip and the queue. With a full online service like cartaregistada.pt you pay €14.99 all inclusive for a registered letter with AR: printing of up to 10 pages, envelope, hand-off to CTT within 2 business days, and proof of sending by email.
Need to send a registered letter today?
Upload your file and we print it and send it through CTT with proof of delivery, no post office visit needed. €14.99 all inclusive, works from any country.
Send my letter →Frequently asked questions
Can I send a regular letter by post without leaving home?
Not directly through CTT: for individuals there is no service where you upload the document and they print and send it. You need to handle the printing, the stamp and the drop-off yourself, in Portugal. Online services like cartaregistada.pt already do that complete process for registered letters with AR, and regular and priority mail options are in the works.
Does priority mail (correio azul) come with proof of delivery?
No. Priority mail is faster than regular mail, but it generates no proof of sending or delivery. For that you need a registered letter, ideally with aviso de receção.
How long does each type of mail take?
As a guideline, within mainland Portugal: priority mail, 1 to 2 business days; regular mail, 2 to 3 business days; registered letter, 2 to 4 business days until hand delivery. CTT delivery times are not guaranteed and can vary.
Can I send letters online from outside Portugal?
Yes. With cartaregistada.pt you can upload your letter from any country: you enter your foreign address as the sender, and the letter is printed and sent within Portugal through CTT to the recipient. The price is the same, €14.99.