iAP: the interoperability platform connecting the Portuguese Public Administration

The Public Administration Interoperability Platform (iAP) is the reference technological infrastructure for information exchange between public services and bodies in Portugal. Its use as the preferred interoperability mechanism is established by Council of Ministers Resolution No. 42/2015.

Since becoming operational in 2007, the iAP has processed more than 6.3 billion interactions, integrates 124 entities, and has generated estimated savings of 21.5 billion euros.

In June 2025, with the launch of the new institutional portal, the platform introduced a new service: Document Interoperability, which enables the full dematerialisation of document exchange between Public Administration entities.

What the iAP is and how it works

The iAP is a central shared services platform that enables interoperability between the information systems of different public bodies. It provides essential components for the technological integration of Public Administration, including:

• Interconnection between information systems;
• Identity federation and authentication;
• Message exchange;
• Payment processing.

The platform is based on open standards and web service integration, enabling each entity to retain its existing systems. Rather than replacing technological infrastructures, the iAP connects them to a common interoperability layer.

Joining the platform is mandatory for Public Administration bodies, under Council of Ministers Resolution No. 42/2015 and Decree-Law No. 49/2024. Private entities may also join, provided there is a legal framework supporting the use of the services.

iAP services

Integration Platform (PI)

The Integration Platform ensures communication between systems from different public entities, enabling the automation and orchestration of administrative processes.

Main functionalities:

• Exchange of messages between Public Administration systems;
• Automatic orchestration of requests between entities;
• Shared services catalogue.

Cumulative figures since 2007: More than 5 billion transactions.

Messaging Platform (GAP)

The Messaging Platform enables the sending and receiving of SMS communications directed at citizens.

Main functionalities:

• Sending SMS notifications;
• Use of easy-to-remember short numbers.

Cumulative figures since 2007: 1.5 billion text messages sent, including 298 million in the last year.

Payment Platform (PPAP)

The Payment Platform supports the electronic collection of public service payments through multiple channels.

Available payment methods:

• DUC
• MB WAY
• Multibanco
• Visa
• Mastercard
• PayPal

Cumulative figures since 2007: 50.5 million transactions and 4.72 billion euros processed.

The platform is ISO 27001 certified, ensuring high standards of information security.

Document Interoperability

Launched in 2025, this service enables the fully digital exchange of official documents between public bodies.

Main advantages:

• Elimination of paper correspondence;
• Automatic integration with document management systems;
• Greater speed and document traceability.

The service is available to central Public Administration, local Public Administration, and legally authorised private entities. Use is free of charge for Public Administration bodies.

Document Interoperability: the latest service

Document Interoperability, which will be made available in June 2025, represents a new step in the digital transformation of public administration. This service will enable public entities' document management systems to exchange documents automatically and securely, eliminating the need for physical delivery.

It follows the document management, preservation and archiving guidelines of the Directorate-General for Books, Archives and Libraries. The Ministry of Environment's Secretariat-General alone estimates that around 239,774 printouts will be eliminated per year through the adoption of this service.

Use cases in production

The iAP supports some of the most widely used digital public services in Portugal. Key use cases include:

• Citizen Card: Ensures information exchange between entities such as IRN, the Tax Authority, Social Security, Health Services, INCM, and MAI.
• Electronic medical prescription: Supports the sending of SMS codes for collecting medicines at pharmacies, with more than 13 million SMS messages per year.
• Higher education grants: Enable the automatic verification of data between public entities.
• Social Energy Tariff: Enabled the automatic expansion of the benefit from 100,000 to 800,000 families through coordination between the Tax Authority and Social Security.