Immigration and Citizenship services

Portuguese Nationality and Citizenship

Are you looking for ways to enhance your global mobility, expand your business opportunities, and enjoy the benefits of living in multiple countries? If so, then dual citizenship may be the perfect solution for you. Dual citizenship or dual nationality allows you to hold two passports and enjoy all the rights and privileges of being a citizen of both countries. And if you're looking for a great country to obtain a second citizenship, then Portugal should be at the top of your list. Portugal is a beautiful and welcoming country that offers a high quality of life, a stable economy, and a favorable tax regime. In this article, we'll explore the many benefits of obtaining Portuguese citizenship and why you should seriously consider taking this step. Whether you're an entrepreneur, a retiree, or simply someone who loves to travel, obtaining Portuguese citizenship can open up a world of exciting possibilities. So let's dive in and discover why Portugal is the perfect destination for your second passport or to reconnect with your portuguese ancestry.

Contact us
Family photo

Citizenship based on ancestry

Citizenship based on parents or grandparents
Umbrella citizenship

Portugal double citizenship

Portugal as a second citizenship
Get married portugal

Citizenship by marriage

Get the citizenship based on marriage to your spouse
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Portuguese Passport - Why should i apply?

Obtaining Portuguese citizenship is one way many people reconnect with their ancestral land, recover family traditions, or facilitate business opportunities or embark on new careers. To those who meet the elegibility criteria for the Portuguese citizenship it carries multiple benefits, one of which is the ability to travel and work freely within the European Union in possession of a Portuguese passport. Portuguese citizens have the right to enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival excursions to 184 countries. A Portuguese passport is one of the most widely accepted passports without the common visa restrictions imposed on other passports, and this incentive is open to all of those who can claim the right to citizenship.


If this interests you, there are several categories into which a case for obtaining Portuguese citizenship can fall.

This website describes the various means of achieving citizenship and lists some of the paperwork and documents required. Feel free to use this site as your legal guide to Portuguese citizenship, to prepare a successful application.

How we can help

The massive increase in interest inobtaining Portuguese citizenship can affect how long the process takes. An improperly prepared application to the relevant Portuguese authorities causes needless delay. To facilitate the smooth and fruitful analysis of your application, be sure to scan and email all the related documents you have that might entitle you to Portuguese citizenship. The law, as mentioned before, defines several routes of Portuguese naturalization. Which one is best for you?

We can guide you. We can help you obtain it faster, using the most secure approach for the best chance to submitt a successful case. We have dedicated our firm to this area of the law. Utilizing the tools at our disposal and maintaining close communications with you, the process toward citizenship can be hassle-free and straightforward. You can track your application using an online system, gaining instant updates on your citizenship application.

Portuguese Citizenship with the help of a Lawyer

This law office represents clients who are seeking Portuguese naturalization. Our Portuguese citizenship lawyers team has extensive experience in this field and works closely with Portuguese registries, such as Conservatoria dos Registos Centrais and Conservatoria dos Registos Civis. The descendants of Portuguese immigrants that reach out to our firm come from all arround the world, including former colonies and territories.

As claims are submitted to our office, we issue a digital receipt stamped with the date of submission. The client can track the case and follow it to the conclusion. In most circumstances, the result is the successful attainment of a Portuguese passport and citizen card.

Our law office also facilitates travel and residency claims, to process an application within Portugal, instead of an embassy.

In theory, the best candidates for Portuguese naturalization are the children, grandchildren, spouse (both married and unmarried partners in long-term relationships), Sephardic Jews, and individuals legally residing in Portugal, among others.

In practice, other determining factors such as the possession and verification of requisite documents, proof of Portuguese lineage (or another related situation), and various civil registration processes. Therefore, after a preliminary analysis, which ascertains the appropriate legal path toward citizenship, all details and documents must be carefully analyzed by an experienced professional, and a strategy for the whole family must be established from the start. Applications are sometimes delayed or denied, despite a legitimate claim, because people with little to no knowledge of the law fail to seek expert assistance. Even though such results can be reversed, a rejected application diminishes one's prospect of success.


Eligibility criteria and pathways to Portuguese Citizenship - How can you get it?

Portuguese citizenship by right of origin

  1. Children of a Portuguese parent born in Portuguese territory;
  2. Children of a Portuguese parent born abroad, if the parent is serving the Portuguese state;
  3. Children of a Portuguese parent born abroad if their birth is registered at a Portuguese civil registry or declare a desire for citizenship;
  4. Persons born in Portuguese territory to foreign-born parents, if at least one parent was born in Portugal, irrespective of title, at the time of birth;
  1. Persons born in Portuguese territory to foreign-born parents, if they declare a desire to be Portuguese, do not serve their respective state, and one parent legally resided in Portugalfor at least two years;
  2. Persons born in a Portuguese territory who possess no other citizenship;
  3. If you are married to a Portuguese citizen that meets the above requirements.
  4. Foreign-born persons with at least one Portuguese ascendant in their direct line (of the second degree) who retained citizenship.

Naturalization as a Portuguese citizen

Who can apply under these category of nationality?

  1. A person over the age of 18 can applyfor naturalization as a Portuguese citizen after five years of legal residence.The candidate must demonstrate sufficient knowledge of the Portuguese language and active connections to the national community. Children under 18 years of age can acquire Portuguese citizenship by declaration when aparent is naturalized, and future children of such nationals are considered Portuguese by birth. The law recognizes a naturalized Portuguese citizen only after the process is complete. Thus, Portuguese nationality acquired through naturalization cannot be transmitted to descendants already overthe age of 18 at the time their parents' naturalization.
  2. From 2006 through 2015, a person withat least one Portuguese grandparent was exempt from the residency requirement when applying for naturalization. As of 29 July 2015, however, a person with at least one Portuguese grandparent receives citizenship by extension upon request. The new registration amendment still needs to be signed by the president before entering law.
  3. Portuguese citizenship by adoption - Any child adopted by a Portuguese citizen acquires Portuguese citizenship. The adopted child, however, must be nomore than 18 years of age.
  4. Portuguese citizenship by marriage - Any person married to a Portuguese citizen for at least five years can obtain Portuguese citizenship by request. No formal residency in Portugal is demanded; however, sufficient knowledge ofthe Portuguese language and active ties with the Portuguese community are still required.

Jewish Law of Return

  1. An amendment to Portugal's Nationality Law allows the descendants of Sephardic Jews expelled during the Portuguese Inquisition to become citizens.The Portuguese parliament passed legislation on Friday, 12 April 2013, that approved the naturalization of descendants of 16th-century Portuguese Jews who fled persecution. Under the Law of Return, applicants must prove Sephardic surnames in their family tree. Moreover, Sephardic applicants must demonstrate an ongoing connection to their ancient Portuguese roots, something commonly established by a letter from an orthodox rabbi. The amendment states that these applicants need not reside in Portugal, an exception to the standard naturalization residency requirement.
  2. Dual citizenship - Portugal allows dual citizenship. Portuguese citizens holding or acquiring foreign citizenship do not lose their Portuguese citizenship. Likewise, those acquiring Portuguese citizenship can keep their citizenship of origin.
  3. Citizenship of the European Union - As Portugal has membership in the European Union, Portuguese citizens are also citizens of the European Union under European Union law and consequently hold rights of free movement and the right to vote in elections for the European Parliament. Portuguese citizens have a right to consular protection at the embassy of any other EU country. Portuguese citizens can also live and work in any EU country.

Countries and Territories

Portuguese Citizenship – old portuguese state of India, Goan, Damian and Diu

Citizens born in the former Portugueseterritories of Goa, Daman, Diu, Dadra, Nagar Haveli are Portuguese citizens, including their descendants (children, grandchildren, etc.)

Portuguese Nationality – East Timor and Macau

Nationals born in East Timor beforeits independence from Portugal can request Portuguese citizenship. The same applies to the former Portuguese territory Macau.

Born in the old Portuguese Colonies in Africa

Some Portuguese citizens born in the former African colonies lost their citizenship at the time of independence.
However, each case must be examined, since not everyone lost Portuguese nationality.

The Ultimate Guide to Obtaining Portuguese Citizenship Through 5 Years of Residence

If you're looking to obtain Portuguese citizenship, you're in luck. Portugal is a beautiful country with a rich history, incredible food, and welcoming people. And the best part is, it's relatively easy to become a citizen through 5 years of legal residence. But navigating the process can be overwhelming, especially if you're not familiar with the language or the legal requirements. That's where this ultimate guide comes in. In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through everything you need to know about obtaining Portuguese citizenship through 5 years of residence. From the legal requirements to the documents you'll need to gather, we've got you covered. So whether you're planning to retire in Portugal, start a new business, or simply want to experience the beauty of this country, this guide has everything you need to make your dream of becoming a Portuguese citizen a reality.

Requirements for obtaining Portuguese citizenship through 5 years of residence

To obtain Portuguese citizenship through 5 years of residence, you must meet the following requirements:- You must be at least 18 years old.- You must have legal residency status in Portugal for a continuous period of 5 years.- You must not have any criminal convictions, either in Portugal or your country of origin.- You must pass a Portuguese language proficiency exam at the A2 level.It's important to note that the 5-year residency requirement is valid for non-EU citizens. If you're an EU citizen, you only need to have legal residency in Portugal for 6 months before you can apply for citizenship.

Documents required for Portuguese citizenship application

When applying for Portuguese citizenship, you must provide the following documents:

- Birth certificate or equivalent document.
- Passport or other identification document.
- Criminal record certificate from your country of origin.
- Proof of legal residency in Portugal for a continuous period of 5 years.
- Proof of Portuguese language proficiency at the A2 level.
- Updated tax identification number (NIF) registration.

Portuguese language proficiency exam

To prove your Portuguese language proficiency, you must pass a language exam at the A2 level. The exam tests your ability to use basic vocabulary and grammar structures in everyday situations. The exam can be taken at any Portuguese language school or institution recognized by the Portuguese government.If you're a citizen of a Portuguese-speaking country or have completed secondary education in Portuguese, you're exempt from taking the language exam.

Steps to apply for Portuguese citizenship

To apply for Portuguese citizenship, you must follow these steps

1. Obtain a certificate of legal residency from SEF.
2. Obtain a certificate of Portuguese language proficiency at the A2 level.
3. Gather all necessary documents.
4. Submit your application to the Portuguese Immigration and Borders Service (SEF).
5. Wait for your application to be processed. The processing time can take up to 12 months.
6. Attend a citizenship ceremony, where you'll take an oath of allegiance to Portugal.

Processing time and fees for Portuguese citizenship application

The processing time for a Portuguese citizenship application can take up to 12 months. The application fee is €250 for adults and €175 for children under 18 years old. If your application is rejected, you can appeal the decision within 30 days.

Obtaining Portuguese citizenship through 5 years of legal residency is an excellent option for those looking to retire, start a new business, or experience the beauty of Portugal. While the process can seem overwhelming, this ultimate guide provides you with everything you need to know to make your dream of becoming a Portuguese citizen a reality.

Our Process

STEP ONE

Describe your case

STEP TWO

Scan the available documents in .pdf or .jpeg format

STEP THREE

We will advise and reply promptly

FAQ

FAQ on Portuguese Nationality

How long does it take to get the Portuguese Passport?

Can you follow-up the Portuguese Passport case?

Does the Portuguese Nationality case lead to a passport?

Do I need to go to Portugal to apply to the Portuguese Citizenship?

Do I need to send my original documents?

Do I need to translate the documents to Portuguese?

BLOG

Most Popular Articles

More Articles