Portuguese Dual Citizenship

Portuguese citizenship is primarily based upon the principle of jus sanguinis (right of blood). Previously, it was based upon the principle of jus soli (right of the soil).

Since Portugal is a part of the European Union, a Portuguese citizen can travel and reside freely in any of the member states that are a part of the EU.

Portugal permits dual citizenship.

Applying for Portuguese citizenship

Foreign residents can apply for Portuguese citizenship in most cases after six years of residence in Portugal. The application needs to made to the Portuguese Ministry of Justice (Instituto dos Registos e do Notoriado – IRN).

Portuguese nationality law permits foreigners to acquire citizenship by:

• Marriage to a Portuguese citizen
• Descent or birth (Portuguese by origin)
• Naturalization after six years of residence
• Adoption
• Being a citizen of a former Portuguese overseas territory
• The Jewish law of return for Sephardic Jews (Portuguese Sephardic citizenship scheme)
• If you were formerly a Portuguese citizen who lost Portuguese citizenship in certain circumstances.

Portuguese citizenship by marriage

You can acquire Portuguese citizenship through marriage after three years of marriage to a Portuguese citizen, or three years of cohabitation. There is no requirement for any prior period of residence in Portugal, although the applicant must provide documents proving an effective connection to the Portuguese community.

If you divorce or separate at a later date, your Portuguese citizenship will not be revoked. 

Portuguese citizenship descent

Those acquiring citizenship by descent or birth are Portuguese by origin if they are a child:

• from a Portuguese mother or father born in a Portuguese territory;
• of a Portuguese mother or father born abroad if the parent is there serving the Portuguese state;
• of a Portuguese mother or father born abroad if they have their birth registered at the Portuguese civil registry or alternatively if they declare they want to be Portuguese;
• who was born in Portuguese territory to foreign parents if at least one parent was born in Portugal and resides here at the time of birth;
• that was born in Portuguese territory to foreign parents if they declare they want to be Portuguese and provided that one parent has resided in Portugal for at least five years at the time of birth;
• born in Portuguese territory that does not possess another nationality.

Amendments to Portuguese nationality law mean the following can also claim citizenship by descent as a child:

• born in Portuguese territory or abroad to a parent who has acquired Portuguese nationality after the birth of the child;
• with at least one grandparent of Portuguese nationality who is sufficiently familiar with the Portuguese language;
• born in Portuguese territory to foreign parents if the child has lived in Portugal for 10 years.

Naturalization as a Portuguese citizen

If you have lived in Portugal for six years, you can apply for Portuguese citizenship if you meet the following requirements:

• Have sufficient knowledge of the Portuguese language (proven with a certificate or test);
• Have not been convicted of a crime punishable by a jail sentence of three years or more.

You can submit the citizenship application yourself or through a suitable proxy. The following documentation also needs to be submitted:

• birth certificate (if possible)
• proof of sufficient knowledge of Portuguese language
• passport/travel ID
• details of current residence permit
• details of date and place of birth, occupation, current residence and list of countries previously resided in
• criminal record certificate
• document issued by the SEF proving that you have been legally resident in Portugal for at least six years.

You will need to submit a form and send it to the Central Registry Office at the IRN, along with the necessary documents and payment.

Citizenship applications take varying times to process. If an application is dismissed at the outset, however, you will be informed within 20 days.

Citizenship for Sephardic Jews

Descendants of Portuguese Sephardic Jews expelled from Portugal in the 16th century can acquire Portuguese Sephardic citizenship if they can demonstrate belonging to a Sephardic community of Portuguese origin. Requirements include having a Portuguese Sephardic name as well as familiarity with the language.

Citizenship by investment

This is a special Portuguese visa program designed to attract foreign investment into Portugal. The Portuguese Golden Visa program speeds up the process for foreign investors from non-EU/EFTA countries to obtain a Portuguese residence permit and claim Portuguese citizenship by investment. You can also read more in our guide to the Portuguese Golden Visa scheme.

Citizenship by adoption

Children from abroad aged under 18 who have been legally adopted by a Portuguese citizen can apply for citizenship immediately.

Citizens of former Portuguese territories

Citizens of the following former Portuguese colonies are entitled to Portuguese citizenship if they were born during the period of Portuguese rule:

• Angola
• Cape Verde
• Portuguese India
• Guinea Bissau
• East Timor
• Macao
• Mozambique
• Sao Tome and Principe

Those from Portuguese India and Macao who are descendants of those born under the period of Portuguese rule are also entitled to apply for Portuguese citizenship.

Former Portuguese citizens

Certain groups of former Portuguese citizens can reacquire Portuguese nationality. These include people such as:

• individuals who lost their citizenship through the will of a legal representative, e.g., those whose family moved abroad and took another citizenship when they were children;
• individuals who have lost their citizenship but never acquired the citizenship of another country;
• women who lost their citizenship through marriage to a foreign national;
• those who lost their citizenship by voluntarily acquiring foreign citizenship before the Portuguese Nationality Act of 1981.

Portugal’s citizenship authorities

• Ministry of Justice (IRN)
• Portuguese Immigration and Borders Service (SEF) who deal with Portuguese residence permits
• Citizenship application form