Obtaining Portuguese Citizenship Through a Spouse or Partner

If you’re married to a Portuguese citizen—or in a long-term, legally recognised partnership with one—you may be able to apply for Portuguese citizenship. And unlike other citizenship routes, this pathway is surprisingly straightforward: there’s no residency requirement, and most people qualify after three years of marriage or cohabitation.

That said, the rules around marriage, de facto unions, community ties, and language requirements can be confusing. This guide breaks everything down into clear, practical steps so you know exactly what to expect.

Who Is This For?

You may be able to apply for Portuguese citizenship if:

1. You’re married to a Portuguese citizen

You’re a foreigner who has been married to a Portuguese citizen for at least three years, and:

• the marriage exists at the time of the application (i.e. you’re not divorced or separated), and
• none of the legal grounds for opposition to nationality apply (more on those below).

2. You’re in a recognised common-law marriage (união de facto)

You’re a foreigner who has lived in a common-law union with a Portuguese citizen for at least three years, and:

• that common-law relationship has been formally recognised by a court judgment in Portugal, and
• again, none of the opposition grounds apply.

In both cases, the foreign spouse/partner acquires what’s sometimes called “derived nationality”. Once you become Portuguese, you can then:

• pass Portuguese nationality to your own children, and
• potentially help a spouse or partner in a later application (if the roles are reversed).

Requirements: What You Need in Practice

Basic relationship requirement

• Marriage: married to a Portuguese citizen for at least three years.
• Common-law (união de facto): living in a common-law union with a Portuguese citizen for at least three years, plus a judicial judgment in Portugal formally recognising that common-law marriage.

No opposition grounds

You must not fall into any of the categories for opposition:

• no serious criminal record (as defined by the law),
• no disqualifying military service or public functions for another state,
• no terrorism or security-related concerns,
• and, ideally, a demonstrable connection to Portugal (unless you’re in one of the situations where that connection is presumed).

Typical documents

The exact list can vary, but commonly includes:

• Your identification document (passport, etc.)
• Your birth certificate
• The Portuguese spouse’s birth certificate
• For marriage cases: the Portuguese marriage certificate, including transcription of a foreign marriage if it took place abroad
• For common-law cases:
  • the court judgment recognising the common-law marriage in Portugal
  • a declaration confirming that the common-law union continues
• Criminal record certificates from:
  • your country of birth
  • your country (or countries) of nationality
  • every country where you have lived since the age of 16

All foreign documents generally need to be legalised or apostilled and often translated into Portuguese.

The Process in Broad Strokes

In very simplified terms, the process looks like this:

1. Confirm your eligibility and strategy
   • Are you applying as a spouse, or through a recognised common-law union?
   • Do you fall into any of the “presumed connection” categories?
   • Are there any obvious risks for opposition (e.g. past convictions)?
2. Make sure the Portuguese side is in order
   • Locate the Portuguese spouse’s birth certificate.
   • Transcribe the marriage to Portugal if it took place abroad.
   • For common-law cases, bring (or complete) the judicial action in Portugal to have the união de facto formally recognised.
3. Gather and legalise all foreign documents
   • Birth certificates, criminal records, etc., all properly legalised/apostilled and translated where needed.
4. Submit the application
   • File the application with the competent registry office or court sector in Portugal.
   • Pay the applicable fees.
   • From here, the process is largely administrative and legal.
5. Monitoring and outcome
   • The case is analysed, and if no opposition is brought (or if any opposition is overcome), nationality is granted.
   • You are then registered with a Portuguese birth record.
6. Citizen Card and Passport
   • Once you have your Portuguese birth registration, you are expected to apply for a Citizen Card.
   • With the Citizen Card, you can then apply for a Portuguese passport, either in Portugal or at a Portuguese embassy/consulate.

What About Language and “Integration”?

The text you provided doesn’t set out a rigid exam requirement (e.g. “you must pass CIPLE A2”), but in practice:

• Proof of Portuguese language is one of the main ways to show an effective connection to the Portuguese community.
• In some of the “presumed connection” scenarios, knowledge of Portuguese (plus years of marriage/union or residence) is specifically mentioned.

In real life, many people satisfy this by taking the A2-level Portuguese test or by providing other accepted evidence of language knowledge or integration. A good lawyer will advise on what’s most appropriate in your case and whether you fall into one of the categories where the connection is presumed and opposition is effectively off the table.

Final Thoughts: Yes, This Is Possible

Citizenship through marriage or a recognised common-law union is absolutely achievable for most people who meet the three-year relationship requirement and don’t fall under the opposition rules.

The law can look intimidating—judicial recognition of a common-law union, possible court opposition, conditions about “effective connection” and national security—but a well-prepared application, with the right documents and a clear strategy, is more than capable of succeeding.

If this route is relevant to you, the sensible next steps are:

• Confirm your eligibility based on your exact situation (married vs common-law, children or not, years together, residence, criminal record, etc.).
• Start gathering your documents and make sure your marriage or common-law status is properly recognised in Portugal.
• Work with a specialist lawyer who understands Portuguese nationality law and is used to these kinds of applications.

While it’s possible to read the law and try to navigate things yourself, a good immigration lawyer can:

• spot potential red flags early,
• advise on whether you fall into the “presumed connection” categories,
• prepare your file in a way that reduces the risk of opposition, and
• guide you all the way through to your Portuguese birth registration, Citizen Card, and passport.

If you’re serious about this pathway, get in touch with a reputable Portuguese nationality lawyer and let them help you build the strongest case possible. This is a realistic, well-tested route to Portuguese citizenship—and with the right support, it’s very much within reach.