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Portuguese Nationality Lawyers & Citizenship Law Services
Successfully processing nationality applications since 2005. 20 years of experience.
Recommended by Leaders in Law and Global Law Experts as Immigration lawer
Who is getting the Citizenship to Portugal?
Last published data from national institute of statistics from 2022, state that approximately 46,230 foreigners obtained the Portuguese Nationality. Among them, 20,844 were residents, while 25,385 resided abroad.
The Portuguese Citizenship law requirements originate from Article 4 of the fundamental principles at the Constitution. There have been various legal changes, with the most significant being the 1981 Law. This legislation notably facilitated the path through descent (jus sanguinis). Presently, the primary avenues on how to obtain it include: descent or birth, naturalization which requires a residency period typically of five years. Marriage or de facto union and finally Portugal Citizenship by Investment. The Citizenship Law offers privileges, including the right to participate in all elections and the entitlement to a passport and citizen card. The processing of applications for citienship is handled by the Institute of Registries and Notaries (Instituto dos Registos e do Nototiado – IRN), which operates under the Ministry of Justice.
How to get the Citizenship to Portugal?
Getting Portuguese citizenship is a multi-step journey that currently balances traditional routes with recent (and ongoing) legislative changes. In late 2024 and 2025, the Portuguese government introduced major reforms to tighten nationality rules. While some of these changes (like extending residency to 10 years) were recently upheld by the Constitutional Court, other stricter provisions were struck down - Information current as of December 2025.
Determining Your Eligibility Path
The first step is identifying which legal framework applies to you. Most applicants qualify through naturalization after 5 years of legal residency, but you may also be eligible through marriage (after 3 years), by descent (having Portuguese parents or grandparents), or investment via the Golden Visa program. Each path has distinct documentation requirements and processing timelines.
Navigating the Application Process
Once you meet the eligibility criteria, you must submit a formal petition to the Conservatória dos Registos Centrais. This involves gathering "apostilled" (internationally legalized) birth certificate. You can submit the document in person at a National Support Centre for Migrants (CNAIM) or through a portugal lawyer via the online portal.
We consult on the main requirements and elegibility on the Portugal Citizenship Law to obtain the Passport and ID card - also known as citizen card - the proof you actually hold the Citizenship. Portugal is one of the countries that allows dual nationality, so, it is possible to have two or more passports and be a citizen of two or more countries, unlike other countries that demand one of the passports to be cancelled.
Requirements for dual citizenship
Obtaining Portuguese nationality is a gateway to becoming a citizen of the European Union, offering the right to live, work, and travel freely across all EU member states. Whether you are connected to the country through ancestry, marriage, or long-term residency, the Portuguese Nationality Law provides several clear pathways for foreign citizens to get the portuguese nationality. Each route has its own specific criteria. We will outline them under. Anyhow please consult with a portuguese citizenship lawyer in case of any doubt.
Pathways for citizenship
Portugal Citizenship law by birth allows people born within the territory, or to those who were born outside but have at least one parent who was born here to apply. If you were born in here, you are automatically a national by birth.
One of the most straightforward ways to get Dual Citizenship Passport is through your parents or grandparents. This is called by descent, and it's possible for people who have at least one parent or grandparent who was born in here.
Dual Citizenship by marirage is a route to that allows to become a citizen based on the marriage to a citizen. This route is only available if you have been married to your spouse for at least 3 years, and your marriage is registered in the system.
To qualify for this route, you must be able to prove that you have been living legally and uninterruptedly for at least five years before applying. It is also needed to be able to demonstrate proficiency or knowledge in the language and knowledge of culture. To prove your language proticiency, you must pass a language exam at the CIPLE A2 level.
Citizenship by Investment or golden visa is one of the most popular route to the porugal nationality law. It is one of the fastest route to residence, with only a few months of processing time and a quick entry point to the legal entry and stay.
Obtaining the Dual Nationality in Portugal
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Passport based on descent
Portugal Citizenship based on parents and or grandparents or descent;
Dual Nationality
Get Portuguese nationality and have a second passport
Passport by marriage
The citizenship based on marriage to your spouse.
Clara Silva da Costa, practicing immigration law for 20 years.
Benefits of becoming a Portugal citizen?
- Unrestricted EU Mobility and Rights
As a Portuguese citizen, you are officially a citizen of the European Union. This grants you the "Freedom of Movement," meaning you can live, work, study, and retire in any of the 27 EU member states (plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland) without needing a visa or work permit. - World-Class Travel Freedom
The Portuguese passport consistently ranks among the top 5 most powerful in the world. In 2025, it provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to approximately 191 countries, including: The United States (via the ESTA/Visa Waiver Program) Canada, Australia, and Japan The United Kingdom - Robust Social and Health Protections
Citizens have full access to the Serviço Nacional de Saúde (SNS), Portugal’s public healthcare system, which is often free or available at a very low cost. Furthermore, you gain: Educational Benefits: Access to Portuguese public universities at "National" tuition rates, which are significantly lower than "International" student rates. Consular Protection: If you travel outside the EU and find yourself in a country where Portugal doesn't have an embassy, you have the right to seek protection from the embassy of any other EU member state. Political Participation: You gain the right to vote and run for office in Portuguese national elections and European Parliament elections. - Generational Legacy and Security
Unlike a residence permit, which must be renewed and is tied to your continued stay or investment, citizenship is permanent and irrevocable. Passing it Down: You can pass Portuguese nationality to your children (and in many cases, grandchildren), ensuring your descendants enjoy the same EU benefits. Dual Nationality: Portugal is one of the most flexible countries in Europe regarding dual citizenship, meaning you generally do not have to renounce your original nationality to become Portuguese.
Processing time for citizenship and process status
You're able to track your application using an online system gaining instant updates on your application and getting the process status. This recent online submission launched in 2024 decreased processing times. The processing time depends count depends on the submission time visible on the tracking code system, usually a date on the DD/MM/YY format and the date of finish.
Most of the times the date on the system may not exactlly correspond to the submission date because the date published depends on the time the clerk launchs the file on the system. It is also possible to know the date the governent is analysing each case type and have an idea on when the case may be finished estimating the total processing time.
An improperly prepared application to the IRS causes needless delay and an increase in the processing time. To request for urgency on a citizenship case there must exist reasons to justify it.
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How to work with a Portugal Lawyer on Citizenship?
Step One
Contact us describing your case and the intendent route for portugal citizenship
Step Two
Scan the available documents so we can examine them and correct any potential existent issues
Step Three
We will file your citizenship case under the best available knowledge on portugal nationality
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get the Passport?
Depends on the type of case you’re applying too. Timing range from 2 months to 2 years. There are several authorities involved in processing a Passport. An incorrect processing and submission may increase the timing of the result.
Can you folow-up the Portugal Citizenship?
Some types of Portuguese nationality are issued a processing number. This is provided as soon as the case is submitted. Both the lawyer and the client can see it in a dedicated a website. All the other cases that don't have a processing number (we believe in the future all the cases have it) the lawyer must track it in person directly the authorities.
Does the birth certficate case lead to a passport?
Processes after they're filled and processed by the registries offices will lead to the issuance of a birth certificate. This certificate will allow the applicant to obtain the portuguese Passport and the Portuguese citizens card at closest embassy or directly at any Passport Office within portuguese territory.
Do I need to visit to apply to Portuguese Citizenship?
No need to visit here. The services can be rendered using apower of attorney.
Do I need to send my original documents?
Copies are not accepted. Yes the originals need to be sent. They should e legalized by the consulate or apostilled.
About Us
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The Law Office works closely with Portuguese Registries Office - Conservatoria dos Registos Centrais, Conservatoria dos Registos Civis, the Immigration Border Agency, embassies and consulates. We represent clients from around the world who have the right to claim the Citizenship due to their relationship with Portugal.
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Avenida António Augusto de Aguiar, N. 183 1º Esq, 1050-014, Lisboa, Portugal
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Professional Licence 45229L
Portuguese Nationality © 2025
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