Have you ever dreamed of holding a European passport? If you have Portuguese roots, that dream might be closer than you think. Let’s dive into the world of Portuguese citizenship and discover how you can claim your heritage.
The Portuguese Connection: Parents and Grandparents
Got a Portuguese parent? You’re in luck! You’re likely eligible for citizenship through decent right off the bat. But what if your connection is a generation further back?
Here’s where it gets interesting: you can indeed obtain citizenship through your grandparents.
However, there’s a catch. If your Portuguese connection is only through a grandparent (and not a parent), you’ll need to prove your commitment to the culture by demonstrating at least an A2-level proficiency in Portuguese.
Now, don’t let that scare you off! The A2 level is considered upper-beginner, and it’s quite achievable. In fact, you only need to score 55% or above to pass the CIPLE (A2) Portuguese exam. There are plenty of online courses that can help you reach this level, even if you’re starting from zero.
Sandra Gomes Pinto, a legal expert, offers this nugget of wisdom: “If you’re applying for citizenship through a grandparent, you would have an advantage of applying once you moved to Portugal. This is because, by being here, you would then have more ties to the Portuguese community, and it would make it easier to learn the Portuguese language.”
What about great grandparents?
Unfortunately, you can only go as far back as grandparents. However, don’t fret. There are some solutions:
The first option would be to have your parent or grandparent apply for citizenship. Then, when they’ve received theirs, you would apply through them. It’s a time-consuming process as it would take around two years for them to receive citizenship and another two years for you.
The second option would be for you to move to Portugal and obtain citizenship by living here. You can apply after five years of residency (or just before, due to new rules that were introduced in 2024), and then you would need to wait another two years or so for your citizenship to be approved.
Although this route takes longer, there are some advantages.
- You get to live in Europe during that time, which is one of the reasons people apply for citizenship through their parents.
- It’ll be easier to show ties to Portugal (increasingly required for citizenship applications) if you live here. It’ll also be easier to learn the language.
According to Lisbon-based lawyer, Sandra Gomes Pinto:
“A residency application might be approved in six months whereas a citizenship application could take two years. However, it varies from consulate to consulate, so it’s difficult to give an exact estimation.”
Sandra Gomes Pinto
Portugal offers a number of residency visas that could be suitable.
These include visas like:
- The D7 – For those with a regular passive income (such as a pension, social security, or income from rental properties).
- The D8 – for those with a remote job or freelancing income.
- The golden visa – for those with around €500,000 to invest.
Why Bother with Portuguese Citizenship?
You might be wondering, “Is it really worth the effort?” The answer is a resounding yes! Portuguese citizenship comes with a treasure trove of benefits:
- The freedom to live and work anywhere in the EU
- Access to public healthcare systems
- Affordable education costs
- A robust social security net
- A powerful passport for global travel
For many, especially those in America, post-Brexit UK, or South Africa, Portuguese citizenship offers a valuable backup plan. It’s a gift that keeps on giving, as you can potentially pass it on to future generations.
Jayme H. Simões, who obtained citizenship for himself and his son, describes Portugal as his “ancestral home.” He values Portugal’s peaceful nature, its national health service, and the affordable cost of university education.
Katherine Alvernaz sought citizenship to keep her options open for a potential move to Europe in the future.
The Citizenship Journey: DIY or Professional Help?
When it comes to applying for citizenship, you have two main routes:
- The DIY Approach: This is cheaper but requires more legwork. You’ll need to gather all necessary documents, potentially translate them, and possibly make multiple trips to a Portuguese consulate.
- Professional Assistance: Many find it worthwhile to hire a lawyer specializing in citizenship law. While it costs between €1,000 and €2,000, it can save you headaches, especially if your case is complex.
If you are applying through a grandparent, it can be much more complex than a parent. Birth records can be hard to find and many Portuguese people that emigrated abroad, particularly to North America, changed their names, making this considerably less straightforward.
Andrew, who applied through the Portuguese consulate in Toronto, shares his experience: “It was a pretty simple process. I used the Portuguese website to download both my parents’ birth certificates. Ordered my long-form birth certificate. Brought those documents along with my passport. That’s it.”
The Language Hurdle: Conquering Portuguese
Remember that A2-level Portuguese requirement we mentioned earlier? It’s a hurdle, but not an insurmountable one. Many online resources can help you reach this level, even if you’re starting from scratch.
Joel Rendall, co-founder of Practice Portuguese, offers some encouragement: “Starting with zero knowledge of the language, most learners should be able to pass the CIPLE (A2 level) exam after approximately 2 hours of learning per day during 4-6 months.”
Timeline and Process
Patience is key in this process. Once you submit your application, it typically takes 18 months to 2 years before citizenship is granted. Of course, gathering documents and learning Portuguese will add to this timeline.
Common Questions Answered
- What if my parent renounced their citizenship? It’s more challenging, but not impossible. Each case is unique.
- Do I need to be in contact with my parents or grandparents? No, this isn’t a requirement.
- Does the parent or grandparent need to be alive? No, they don’t need to be living for you to claim citizenship.
- What if my parent or grandparent changed surnames? This can be challenging but isn’t insurmountable. Different civil registries may require different documents.
- Can citizenship from naturalized parents be passed down? No, only citizenship by birth can be passed down, not acquired citizenship.
Embarking on the journey to Portuguese citizenship might seem daunting, but the rewards can be life-changing. Whether you’re seeking a connection to your roots, a backup plan, or a new life in Europe, Portuguese citizenship could be your key to unlocking a world of opportunities. So, why not start exploring your Portuguese heritage today?
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