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IMMIGRATION LEGAL SERVICES
Last updated 3 April 2025

Portuguese Nationality Law | How to get the Portugal Citizenship

As a Portuguese Nationality Lawyers team we've been practicing immigration law during the last 15 years. This service mainly guides the diaspora and worldwide clients to apply for the Portugal Citizenship and serves all who have requests to submit cases, pending files, general doubts on the law or simply want to follow-up cases of citizenship to Portugal.

Potuguese nationality law - What are the recent updates?
‍For the past 2 years the administration has been issuing new laws and allowing more candidats to qualify to Portugal Citizenship. Because of this is important to be updated on the Portuguese Nationality law and not less important to track the submission of your case using a dedicated law professional that is specialized on Immigration Law and Dual Citizenship Portugal located near the administration office.

Portugal Citizenship - What we offer?
We consult on the main requirements and elegibility on the Portugal Nationality Law for obtaining Portugal Passport and ID card - also known as citizen card - which is the proof you actually hold the the Dual Citizenship Portugal. It is important to understand if you may qualify and then the correct way to apply. It is allowed dual nationality by law, so, it is possible to have two or more passports and being a citizen of two or more countries.

Way forward
‍Whether you're a descendant of origin, an entrepreneur, or a company looking to migrate workers, to obtain the Dual Citizenship Portugal following the portuguese nationality law requirements can open up a world of exciting possibilities. So let's dive in and discover why this may be the destination for your second passport or to reconnect with your ancestry as a descent, if this is your case.

Find out how and when you might be able to apply for Portuguese Citizenship by reading the following sections:

Portuguese Nationality Law and the last numbers

The main text of Portuguese Citizenship law requirements originates 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. To obtain a the Portugal Citizenship is often compared to get the Permanent Residency. While similarities exist between the two status, the Portuguese Citizenship Law offers additional privileges, including the right to participate in all elections and the entitlement to a passport and citizen card.‍

In 2022, approximately 46,230 foreigners obtained the Portuguese Nationality. Among them, 20,844 were residents, while 25,385 resided abroad.

The majority arrived from:

The processing of applications is handled by the Institute of Registries and Notaries (Instituto dos Registos e do Nototiado – IRN), which operates under the Ministry of Justice. If you wish to explore the process of acquiring tailored to your specific circumstances, please continue reading.

How to get Citizenship in Porutgal - requirements?

Before discussing into the different requirments of Portuguese Nationality Law, it's critical to understand the underlying portuguese nationality laws that govern the acquisition of the Passport. The principle of jus sanguinis is followed here, meaning that is primarily determined by descent or bloodline. This means that if you have parents or grandparents, you may be eligible for portgal citizenship, regardless of where you were born. It is also allowed the requirements on the acquisition through marriage and naturalization, which we will explore further in the upcoming sections. It's important to note that Dual Citizenship Portugal is recognized meaning that you can hold the two or more from another country. This allows individuals to benefit from the advantages and opportunities that come with the Portugal Passport while maintaining their existing rights.

Portugal Citizenship law eligibility and criteria update 2024

By birth

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. If you were born outside of Portugal but one of the parents was born in here, then you are also eligible for Citizenship by birth.

By Descent - through Parents or Grandparents

One of the most straightforward ways to get Portuguese Passport law 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.

By Marriage

Passport by marriage 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.

Naturalisation Route (Residency)

If not eligible for under Portugal Nationality Law by birth or descent, then you may be able to apply for citizenship through naturalization. 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. The exam tests your ability to use basic vocabulary and grammar structures in daily life situations. The new citizenship law of 2024 allows the total counted time to be started from submission of the residency request at year zero, instead of waiting for the final residence card. This alows savings on the total time spent to get the passport.

By Investment

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.

Passport based on ancestry

Portugal Citiznship based on parents and or grandparents;

Double Nationality

Get Portuguese nationaliy and have a second passport

Passport by marriage

The citizenship based on marriage to your spouse.

How to get the Portugal Dual Citizenship?

To those who meet the eligibility criteria, it carries multiple benefits, one of which is the ability to travel and work freely within the European Union in possession of a passport.

There are several categories into which a case for obtaining citizenship can fall. This website describes the various routes of eligibility and requirements for passport citizenship. Feel free to use this website as your legal guide on how to prepare a successful application either you may chase it via Portugal Citizenship for descent or via naturalization.

Citizens have the right to enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival to 184 countries being one of the most widely accepted without visa restrictions imposed on others..

Processing Time For Portugal Nationality

The massive increase in interest in obtaining can affect how long the process takes on the processing time. An improperly prepared application to the relevant authorities causes needless delay and an increase in the processing time. The recent increase in numbers lead to some cases to be waiting for conclusion for more than 3 years waiting time which lead to clients to request urgency on the files pending. To request for urgency on a citizenship case there must exist reasons to justify it. Some of them are accepted others are not considered. A claim must be made to see if there is a chance to bypass the line.

There are several routes of citizenship types that may currently be submitted online with the help of a Portugal Citizenship Lawyer. Later you would be able to track your application using an online system, gaining instant updates on your application and getting the process status. This recent online submission in 2024 decreased processing times and we've been observing some reductions.

Process Status

Our team has extensive experience in this field and works closely with central registries, such as Conservatoria dos Registos Centrais and Conservatoria dos Registos Civis.

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 passport and citizen card.

In a preliminary analysis, which ascertains the appropriate legal path toward citizenship, all details and documents must be carefully analyzed by an experienced professional to make sure you meet the requirements, 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.

Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them

Navigating the process of acquiring can be challenging, and applicants may encounter various obstacles along the way. Here are some common challenges and tips on how to overcome them:

Language Proficiency: Demonstrating proficiency in the language can be a significant challenge, especially for applicants who are not native speakers. To overcome this, consider enrolling in language courses or working with a language tutor to improve your language skills. Practice regularly and familiarize yourself with the specific vocabulary and grammar required for the language exams.

Complex Application Forms: The application forms can be lengthy and complex, requiring detailed information and supporting documentation. To overcome this challenge, carefully read and understand the instructions provided with the application forms. Seek assistance from a lawyer or immigration consultant to ensure that your forms are completed accurately and thoroughly

Document Authentication and Translation: The document and authentication phase is critical because incorrect stamping and notarization leads to the refuse of the delivered documents. The same happens with translations from foreign languages other than portuguese.

Patience and Persistence: The application time can be lengthy an to have an accepted and concluded file takes time and persistence with several visits and queries to the authorities.

Streamline the processing time For nationality

Step One

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

FAQ on Portuguese Citizenship

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.

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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.