How to Get Portuguese Citizenship: Eligibility & Requirements

A Quick Intro to Portuguese Nationality Law

Dreaming of a passport that opens doors across the globe? Want a backup plan in case something or other hits the fan? Look no further than the Portuguese passport, your ticket to hassle-free travel and European living.

Here’s the scoop:

• Ranked 4th worldwide by Henley & Partners and Passport Index (2024)
• Visa free travel or visa-on-arrival access to 187 countries
• Full EU citizenship perks – live and work anywhere in the EU, EEA, and Switzerland

Sounds tempting, right? But how do you get your hands on this prized possession? There are several paths to Portuguese citizenship:

1. Naturalization: The classic “fall in love with Portugal” route. Live here for 5 years, and you’re eligible to apply.
2. Ancestry: Portuguese parents or grandparents? You can apply for citizenship.
3. Marriage: Tied the knot with a Portuguese citizen or just in a long-term relationship? You could be saying “I do” to a second citizenship.
4. Sephardic Jewish Heritage: Although this route isn’t as simple as it was a few years ago, proving your Sephardic ties could grant you that coveted “EU passport.”
5. Former Colonies Connection: Have a tie to one of the former Portuguese colonies like Macau, Mozambique, or Angola? You could be eligible for a Portuguese passport.

Each route has its quirks and requirements, but don’t worry – we’ve helped countless folks navigate these waters since 2016.

What You Need to Know

Thinking about becoming Portuguese? Here’s the inside scoop on some common questions:

• Dual Citizenship: Good news! Portugal’s totally cool with you keeping your current passport. Unlike some countries that make you choose, Portugal lets you rock multiple citizenships. Double the passports, double the fun! However, be aware that if you already hold citizenship with a country that doesn’t recognise dual citizenship, you may have to choose.
• No Tax Obligations: Unlike some other countries (America, we’re looking at you), Portugal doesn’t tax based on citizenship so you won’t have any additional tax obligations. However, if you move to Portugal, you may become a tax resident.
• No Citizenship Exam: Breathe easy! While some countries test your knowledge of local trivia, Portugal skips the exam stress. No need to memorize Portugal’s entire history (though we bet you’ll pick up some fascinating tidbits along the way).
• Language Requirements: In many cases, you will need to show knowledge of the Portuguese language. But don’t worry if learning a foreign language makes your nervous: you will only ever need to show a CIPLE A2 level or above, which is upper-beginner and achievable with just a few months of learning. Plus, the pass mark is just 55%. Easy!
• DNA Evidence: Unfortunately, 23andMe DNA data (or similar) isn’t enough to obtain citizenship. If you have a Portuguese grandparent, you can apply through them but if you’re 1/19th Portuguese or even just have a Portuguese great-grandparent, that won’t be enough. Still, that doesn’t mean you can’t move to Portugal and apply through naturalization.
• Property Optional: Dreaming of a seaside villa? Nice, but not necessary for citizenship. While owning property can show your Portuguese commitment, it’s not a must-have. Your passport dreams aren’t tied to real estate prices!
• Patience is a Virtue: The processing time for Portuguese citizenship can vary depending on the type of case you are applying for and the number of applications that are currently being processed. However, the current processing time is about 2-3 years (although some people report getting their applications approved faster). So if you’re going the naturalization route, you’re looking at around seven years total (5 years residency + 2 years processing). Think of it as a slow-cooked Portuguese stew – worth the wait!
• No need to come to Portugal: You can apply for Portuguese citizenship through the Portuguese embassy or consulate in your home country, so there’s no need to come to Portugal (although you can apply here too). However, we recommend you apply through a lawyer rather than directly (see the next point).
• Lawyer Up? While in theory you can just pop into your local Portuguese consulate or the Conservatorio in Portugal, applying through a lawyer often makes a lot more sense. Why?
  • They’ll make sure your application is spotless.
  • They can submit everything digitally at justica.gov.pt (bye-bye, paper delays; hello digital oversight)
  • They can keep tabs on your application’s journey (unfortunately, you won’t get any updates if you submit it without a lawyer).
  • They can pull some strings if things get stuck (although, in practice, you would need good reason to submit your application as urgent).

Most Common Routes to Citizenship

Wondering how to get your hands on a Portuguese passport? We’ve done all the hard research for you!

1. Naturalisation (aka living here)

As of 2018, live in Portugal for five years, and you could be eligible for citizenship. That’s half the time Spain requires! And here’s a little secret: those five years don’t have to be consecutive. It can be any five years within a fifteen year timeframe.

If you’ve already left Portugal, you can apply even though you’re no longer living here. However, this may make some practicalities more challenging. If you haven’t already passed the A2 exam or obtained a language certificate, for example, it’s slightly harder abroad as there are usually fewer exams. Also, if you haven’t already developed “ties to the Portuguese community” such as membership of clubs or societies, this is probably harder to develop from abroad.

Want another secret? As of 2024, the clock starts ticking when you submit your residency visa application. That means if you apply for a D7 visa in January but it isn’t approved until December, you’ll already have eleven months towards citizenship — before you even get to Portugal.

Getting Your Foot in the Door

Before you start your citizenship countdown, you’ll need legal residence in Portugal. Here’s how:

• EU/EEA/Swiss citizens: No special permission required (see our guide to moving as an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen).
• Married to an EU citizen (or in a long-term relationship)? Also a breeze! (see our guide to moving to Portugal with non-EU/EEA/Swiss family members).

Everyone else: Don’t worry! Portugal’s got some of the most accessible residence visas in the EU:

• D7: Perfect for retirees or those with passive income
• Digital Nomad Visa: Calling all remote workers and freelancers!
• Golden Visa: For investors (psst… real estate is out but you can still invest in qualifying funds, such as venture capital funds. And you only need to spend an average of 7 days per year in Portugal.)
• D2: Perfect for entrepreneurs and freelancers that want to start businesses in Portugal.

Need to Know:

If you’re applying for a residency visa like the D7 or digital nomad visa, you’ll need to spend the majority of each year in Portugal for five years: For example, within the first two-year period, Portuguese law says you should not leave Portugal for more than six months in a row or eight months in total.

There are also a few hoops to jump through like getting an address in Portugal, obtaining a NIF number, opening a Portuguese bank account, but don’t worry — we’ll tell you exactly what you need to do.

Not ready to pack up and move full-time? Enter the Portuguese Golden Visa – the jetsetter’s path to citizenship. Portugal’s golden visa program comes with an investment requirement (the minimum investment is typically €500k but there are some more affordable options) but for taking a chance on Portugal, you get the flexibility of only having to spend an average of 7 days per year in Portugal. And this minimal stay requirement means you not only don’t need to make Portugal your main legal residence — you also don’t have to become tax resident here if you don’t want to.

That’s almost just a passport for vacationing here every year (and, of course, investing in the Portuguese economy!). That said, Portugal golden visa applicants should be aware of the ever-increasing requirement to show ties to the Portuguese community. If you only visit Portugal for a week per year, it’ll be hard to show those ties.

What does a typical qualifying investment look like?

Previously, the Portugal golden visa program included more options like real estate and capital transfer, however, these days the most common routes are:

• Investment in a qualifying fund (typically €500k or more in qualifying venture capital funds)
• Create 10 jobs in Portugal
• Donate to a qualifying institution (typically €250k or more)

Now, unlike some Caribbean countries, it should be noted that this isn’t a citizenship by investment program. Portugal offers residency in Portugal in return for an investment, but your citizenship application is separate.

Another thing to note is that Golden Visa applications are currently more backed up than Lisbon traffic on a Friday afternoon!

But if you’re dreaming of packing your bags and moving to Portugal ASAP, you might want to reconsider your route. Golden Visa applications are taking their sweet time – we’re talking 2-3 times longer than other visa types like the D7 or D8.

How Portugal compares to other countries

Even with this substantial time commitment, Portugal remains one of the fastest and simplest routes to EU citizenship. You’ll be sipping EU-wide freedom with your espresso long before your friends who chose other countries — and they’ll have harder language exams to pass too!

Country Years to qualify Dual Citizenship Allowed Language Level Portugal 5 (or potentially less) Yes A2 Spain 10 No A2 France 5 Yes B1 Germany 6-8 Years No B1 Italy 10 Yes B1

Main Requirements

Okay, let’s recap the requirements for obtaining citizenship for acquiring citizenship through naturalisation.

• Live in Portugal for 5 years: Think of it as a long-term date with the country!
• Portuguese skills: Show A2 (or higher). Don’t worry: that’s ‘confidently order pastéis de nata’ level, not ‘write Portuguese poetry’ level.
• Prove integration into Portuguese community: Make Portugal your home, not just your address.
• Clean criminal record: No crimes punishable by over a year in Portuguese prison – stay off Portugal’s naughty list!

Required Documents

• Proof of residence in Portugal
• Birth certificate
• Marriage certificate (if applicable)
• Criminal records certificate
• Proof of proficiency in the Portuguese language (typically A2 exam or above or completion certificate from government-approved course)

2. Through Parents or Grandparents

Portuguese nationality law is based on the principle of jus sanguinis. In layman’s terms that means if you have a Portuguese mum, dad, grandma, or grandad, you be able to obtain Portuguese nationality (also known as citizenship by descent).

Obtaining citizenship through descent is one of the easiest and most straight-forward routes to obtaining Portuguese nationality as you often only need to get a hold of documents like birth and marriage certificates. It’s particularly easy if you have a Portuguese parent as opposed to grandparent as you don’t need to show ties to the Portuguese community or an A2 level of Portuguese. That said, you still do need to produce a paper trail of birth and marriage certificates back to that Portuguese relative (or relatives).

What about great grandparents? As great as they may be (see what we did there?), unfortunately, that’s one step too far back. However, you can usually get around this little stumbling block by having your parent or grandparent obtain citizenship first (assuming they’re alive and able to do so).

Parent or grandparent?

Portuguese parent? Jackpot! It’s practically a golden ticket to citizenship:

• No Portuguese language test
• No need to prove community ties
• Just gather your documents and apply
• No requirement to be born in Portugal

Portuguese grandparents? You’re still in, but with some additional criteria.

• Language skills: You’ll need to show an A2 level or above. Don’t worry, that’s still upper-beginner, so nothing too demanding but you’ll most likely need to sit an exam.
• Ties to the Portuguese community: You’ll need to show you’re connected to Portuguese society (time to join that local football club!)

The Bottom Line

Parents are your fast track. Grandparents? Still a great option, but with a bit more homework.

Thinking about obtaining Portuguese citizenship so you can move to Portugal? That’s a great idea, but given that this typically takes two or more years, it may be faster to move to Portugal on a residency visa. You can still apply for citizenship at the same time, but this route will get you to Portugal sooner.

Main Requirements

Okay, let’s recap the requirements for obtaining citizenship through a parent or grandparent.

• Family Connection: A Portuguese parent or grandparent.
• Time in Portugal: No need to live here first.
• Language Skills:
  • Portuguese parent? No language test needed.
  • Portuguese grandparent? Show an A2 level of Portuguese (or higher).
• Other requirements:
  • Portuguese parent? None.
  • Portuguese grandparent? Ties to the Portuguese community.
• Clean Record: Keep your nose clean – no crimes punishable by a year or more in Portuguese prison.

Ready to claim your Portuguese heritage? Let’s turn that family tree into a passport! Vamos lá!

3. Through a Spouse or Partner

Found your Portuguese soulmate? You may be eligible for Portuguese citizenship through them.

The Basics

• Married to a Portuguese citizen for three years or more? Although the law recognises both married and unmarried couples, having a marriage certificate makes this a whole lot easier! Your marriage needs to be registered in the Portuguese system.
• In a long-term relationship (de facto union) with a Portuguese national? Three years together could be your ticket as long as you can show documents (like shared bills) that show you’ve been living at the same address. You don’t need to have lived in Portugal during that time.
• But remember, divorce ends your eligibility faster than you can say “adeus” so consider marriage counselling if you’re arguing over bacalhau recipes.

Now, if your end goal is simply to move to Portugal, you don’t necessarily need to apply for citizenship first. If one person in a couple is an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen, it’ll make it easier for the other person to move too.

Single and thinking about getting on Portuguese dating sites? Not so fast. If you’ve seen romantic comedies like The Proposal or The Green Card, you’ll know that marrying for citizenship isn’t treated lightly within the government offices that process these applications. That’s as true in Portugal as it is in the US.

Main Requirements

Okay, let’s recap the main requirements for Portuguese citizenship through a spouse or partner.

• Time Together: 3 years married or in a recognized partnership. No Portuguese residency needed!
• Language Skills: Brush up on your Portuguese – A2 level knowledge of the Portuguese language might be required, depending on which consulate you apply through (ask us if in doubt).
• Portuguese Connections: Show Portugal you’re invested! Think property ownership, local bank accounts, or joining Portuguese clubs and societies.
• Clean Record: Keep it squeaky clean – no crimes punishable by a year or more in Portuguese prison.

Remember, love conquers all, but a bit of Portuguese flair goes a long way in your citizenship journey!

4. Through Sephardic Ancestors

Ever thought about dusting off your family tree? If you’ve got Sephardic Jewish roots, you might be in for a Portuguese surprise!

The Portuguese government is offering a unique opportunity to right a historical wrong. During the Inquisition, thousands of Jews were forced to flee the Iberian Peninsula. Now, Portugal’s extending citizenship to their descendants. It’s like a historical “welcome back” party!

Don’t worry, you won’t need a time machine to prove your 15th-century connections. For some lucky folks, tracing back a few generations does the trick. Others might need to dig a bit deeper. Sephardic surnames, evidence of Ladino language use, or old cemetery records can all help build your case. All of this it to get the main golden ticket? A certificate from the Portuguese Jewish Community in Lisbon.

Now, before you start packing your bags, there’s been a plot twist. Since 2022, The Portuguese government has been asking for stronger ties. Think owning property, investing in Portuguese businesses, or showing you’ve been a regular visitor.

Don’t meet the new criteria? Don’t despair! You could always move to Portugal on a residency visa (like the D7 or D8), soak up the culture for three years, and then apply through your Sephardic heritage — that would be two years quicker than applying through naturalization.

Main Requirements:

Thinking of reclaiming your Sephardic Jewish heritage through Portuguese citizenship? Here’s what you need to know:

• Time in Portugal: It’s a bit of a choose-your-own-adventure scenario. If you’ve got strong ties to Portugal already, you might not need to pack your bags just yet. But for most folks, three years of living la vida portuguesa might be on the cards.
• Language Skills: Showing knowledge of the Portuguese language isn’t an official requirement, but it’s like bringing a good bottle of wine to a dinner party – not mandatory, but definitely appreciated. Plus, if you end up living here, knowing how to order your pastel de nata in Portuguese will come in handy!
• Ties to Portugal: Since 2022, Portugal’s been asking for more than just family history. They’re looking for a real connection – owning a slice of Portuguese property, investing in local businesses, or proving you’ve been a regular visitor.

Remember, this route is like a historical treasure hunt. It might be challenging, but for those with Sephardic roots, it could be your ticket to a Portuguese passport.

5. Through Your Colonial Heritage

Portugal’s colonial past has left a unique legacy in its citizenship laws. If you have roots in Angola, Cape Verde, Portuguese India, Guinea Bissau, East Timor, Macao, Mozambique, São Tomé, or Príncipe, you might be able to obtain Portuguese citizenship.

• Time is of the Essence: In most cases, there was a window of opportunity for citizens of these former colonies to claim their Portuguese heritage. While this window has often closed, there are still possibilities:
  • Born before independence? You might still be eligible.
  • Child of a parent born before independence? You could also qualify.
• Document Detective Work: Be prepared for a historical treasure hunt. Birth certificates from the colonial era can be as elusive as a rare vintage of Port. Name changes and informal registrations add extra spice to the challenge and many records have been lost to time, weather, or the chaos of political change.

While this route isn’t straightforward, it’s a unique opportunity for those with ties to Portugal’s former colonies.

6. By Being Born in Portugal

Think being born on Portuguese soil automatically makes you Portuguese? Not so fast! Portugal likes to keep things interesting when it comes to citizenship by birth.

Here’s the scoop:

• Parent Power: To claim Portuguese citizenship by birth, you need at least one parent who’s either:
  • Been a legal resident in Portugal for a minimum of one year before you were born, or
  • Was born in Portugal themselves

So, while Portugal might be your birthplace, it’s your parents’ status that really seals the deal.

7. Through Adoption

Ever dreamed of being adopted by a Portuguese family? Well, if you’re under 18, this could be your ticket to Portuguese citizenship!

Here’s the deal:

• Get adopted by a Portuguese family
• Voila! You’re eligible for Portuguese citizenship

But hold your horses if you’re over 18 – Portuguese law doesn’t have a provision for adult adoption when it comes to citizenship. Sorry, grown-ups!

What about permanent residency?

Now you may be wondering whether it’s in fact better to apply for permanent residency or Portuguese citizenship? Let’s compare them both.

Citizenship

Let’s start with citizenship – it’s the full Portuguese package, complete with all the trimmings. We’re talking voting rights in every election (from local council to national parliament), a shiny new EU passport that’ll have you breezing through European borders, and a nifty citizen card that screams “I’m one of the locals!” But the real cherry on top? The freedom to live and work anywhere in the EU, EEA, or Switzerland. Moreover, citizenship is forever.

Permanent Residency

Permanent residency, on the other hand, is more like a long-term guest pass to Portugal. Sure, you can live and work in this beautiful country, but your wanderlust will have to be contained within Portuguese borders. And despite its name, “permanent” residency comes with an expiration date – you’ll need to renew it every decade.

Permanent residency could make sense if you hold citizenship of a country that doesn’t recognise dual citizenship and don’t want to renounce that nationality.

If you currently hold a non-EU/EEA/Swiss passport, you’ll need to show an A2 or above level of Portuguese for either citizenship or permanent residency. EU/EEA/Swiss nationals don’t need to meet this language requirement for permanent residency (just citizenship), so it could make sense if you really don’t want to sit an exam.

Conclusion

Whew! We’ve really journeyed through the winding roads of Portuguese citizenship, haven’t we? From tracing your family tree to falling in love with a local, there’s more than one way to earn that coveted Portuguese passport.

Let’s recap our Portuguese citizenship treasure map:

1. The Naturalization Route: Live, love, and laugh in Portugal for 5 years.
2. The Ancestry Express: Got Portuguese parents or grandparents? You’re practically there!
3. The Love Connection: Marry a Portuguese or stick together for 3 years.
4. The Sephardic Journey: Uncover your Sephardic Jewish heritage.
5. The Colonial Link: Former colony connections could be your golden ticket.
6. The Birth Lottery: Born in Portugal? Your parents’ status is key.
7. The Adoption Option: For the under-18 crowd, new Portuguese parents equal instant citizenship.

Remember, while there are many ways to acquire Portuguese citizenship, each path has its own twists and turns. Some are straightforward, others might feel like you’re navigating Lisbon’s narrow streets in a tuk-tuk. But hey, that’s the joy of Portuguese citizenship law and part of the adventure too!

No matter which route you choose, becoming Portuguese is about more than just paperwork. It’s about embracing the culture, the language, your soon-to-be fellow Portuguese citizens, and yes, maybe even developing a slight obsession with bacalhau.

Whether you’re drawn by the prospect of living in Portugal, acquiring European citizenship, or just having a back-up plan, at Portugalist we’re here to guide you every step of the way.

Ready to apply for Portuguese citizenship? Get in touch today.