diff --git a/apps/portal/src/app/features/licensing/components/DocumentSlots.tsx b/apps/portal/src/app/features/licensing/components/DocumentSlots.tsx
index 0abf6ddcb..c0e075d4e 100644
--- a/apps/portal/src/app/features/licensing/components/DocumentSlots.tsx
+++ b/apps/portal/src/app/features/licensing/components/DocumentSlots.tsx
@@ -25,6 +25,8 @@ import {
   type DocumentRequirement,
 } from '@ema-platform/api';
 
+const MAX_FILE_SIZE_BYTES = 5 * 1024 * 1024;
+
 interface Props {
   requirements: DocumentRequirement[];
   attachments: Attachment[];
@@ -68,6 +70,11 @@ export function DocumentSlots({
 
   async function handle(documentKey: string, file: File | null) {
     if (!file) return;
+    if (file.size > MAX_FILE_SIZE_BYTES) {
+      setError(`File exceeds 5MB limit (${(file.size / 1024 / 1024).toFixed(1)}MB).`);
+      resetRefs.current[documentKey]?.();
+      return;
+    }
     setBusy(documentKey);
     setError(null);
     const result = await uploadDocument({ ownerType, ownerId, documentKey, file });
diff --git a/apps/portal/src/app/features/licensing/components/StaffEvidence.tsx b/apps/portal/src/app/features/licensing/components/StaffEvidence.tsx
index fd3cb6ba2..060a4ddbb 100644
--- a/apps/portal/src/app/features/licensing/components/StaffEvidence.tsx
+++ b/apps/portal/src/app/features/licensing/components/StaffEvidence.tsx
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 import { useEffect, useState } from 'react';
 import { Badge, Button, FileButton, Group, Loader } from '@mantine/core';
+import { notifications } from '@mantine/notifications';
 import { IconCheck } from '@tabler/icons-react';
 import {
   localized,
@@ -8,6 +9,8 @@ import {
   type StaffEvidenceRequirement,
 } from '@ema-platform/api';
 
+const MAX_FILE_SIZE_BYTES = 5 * 1024 * 1024;
+
 interface Props {
   staffId: string;
   evidence: StaffEvidenceRequirement[];
@@ -42,6 +45,13 @@ export function StaffEvidence({ staffId, evidence, readOnly, onUploaded }: Props
             accept="application/pdf,image/jpeg,image/png"
             onChange={async (file) => {
               if (!file) return;
+              if (file.size > MAX_FILE_SIZE_BYTES) {
+                notifications.show({
+                  color: 'red',
+                  message: `File exceeds 5MB limit (${(file.size / 1024 / 1024).toFixed(1)}MB).`,
+                });
+                return;
+              }
               setBusy(item.docKey);
               await uploadDocument({
                 ownerType: 'APPLICATION_STAFF',