For many people, the idea of holding citizenship from a country within the European Union is tied to greater freedoms, new opportunities, and a stronger sense of security.
Thanks to its high quality of life, multiple pathways to citizenship, and the added benefits of EU membership, Portugal has become one of the most attractive options—whether you’re moving there or claiming citizenship through descent.
In this Remitly guide, we’ll walk you through all the essentials you’ll need to know to become a Portuguese citizen—including the eligibility requirements, application processes, required documents, and expected timelines.
What are the different ways to get Portuguese citizenship?
There are different routes to becoming a Portuguese citizen. Depending on your family history and life circumstances, you may qualify through birth, descent, naturalization, marriage, or investment.
Each path has its own requirements and processes, which we’ll break down below.
Being born in Portugal
Portugal doesn’t grant automatic citizenship to everyone born on its soil. However, there are specific situations where a child born in Portugal may be eligible for citizenship—particularly if one parent is Portuguese, or if both parents have legally resided in the country for a certain number of years before the child’s birth.
It’s important to note that having a Portuguese-born child does not automatically make a parent eligible for citizenship. Recent legal updates in 2025 have tightened this route, so be sure to consult current policies or speak with an immigration expert for the latest criteria.
Having a Portuguese ancestor
Citizenship by descent, also known as jus sanguinis or citizenship of origin, is one of the most straightforward ways to obtain Portuguese citizenship.
This route is most commonly taken by individuals with a Portuguese parent. If at least one of your parents was a Portuguese citizen at the time of your birth, you’re generally eligible—regardless of whether you were born inside or outside of Portugal.
To apply, you’ll need to provide your birth certificate along with other supporting documents, such as marriage certificates (to account for name changes) and death certificates. All relevant life events—birth, marriage, death—must be formally documented and, in most cases, registered with the Portuguese civil registry. If you were adopted, you must show proof that you were legally adopted by a Portuguese citizen before the age of 18.
Citizenship of origin can also be passed down through grandparents in certain cases. Portuguese law allows grandchildren to apply for nationality if they can prove that their grandparent was Portuguese and that they maintain an effective connection to Portugal—such as speaking Portuguese, participating in cultural organizations, or visiting the country regularly. These requirements have recently become more stringent due to changes introduced in 2025.
While it may be possible to trace eligibility through a great-grandparent, this is now significantly more difficult. The principle of “double descent” applies, meaning you’ll typically need a parent or grandparent to first establish Portuguese citizenship before you can apply. Recent legal reforms have further limited this pathway, and a great-grandparent alone is no longer considered sufficient in most cases.
The process for obtaining citizenship by descent is relatively similar across these routes. Applications can be submitted through Portuguese embassies or consulates abroad, or directly in Portugal at the Central Registry in Lisbon. Here’s what you’ll usually have to do:
- Confirm your eligibility: Establish whether you have a direct link to a Portuguese parent or grandparent, and if you can demonstrate an effective connection to Portugal.
- Collect your documents: Gather your birth certificate, adoption papers (if applicable), proof of your ancestor’s Portuguese citizenship, marriage and death certificates across generations, and any required certifications. Some Portuguese offices may accept documents in English, Spanish, or French without translation, but this varies by location—always check with the office where you’ll submit your application.
- Submit your application: Book an appointment at your nearest Portuguese embassy or consulate, or apply in person in Portugal via the Central Registry.
Application fees typically amount to a few hundred euros, not including additional costs for apostilles, translations, or archival searches, which may be required to retrieve older or incomplete records.
Marrying a Portuguese citizen
Portuguese immigration law allows people who have been married to, or in a civil partnership with, a Portuguese citizen to apply for citizenship if they meet certain requirements.
In most cases, you must have been married or in a registered civil union for at least three years before applying. You’ll also need to prove that the relationship is genuine and ongoing—this could include evidence of cohabitation, shared finances, or raising children together.
Applicants are generally expected to demonstrate integration into Portuguese society. This usually means showing a basic command of the Portuguese language (A2 level or higher) and providing a criminal background check. Some authorities may also ask for proof of your connection to the Portuguese community.
It’s important to note that in some cases—especially if you’ve been married or in a civil union for more than six years—the language and community connection requirements may be waived. This is assessed on a case-by-case basis and depends on the discretion of the Portuguese authorities.
Here are some of the documents you may need when applying for citizenship through marriage:
- Marriage certificate or proof of civil partnership
- Your spouse’s birth certificate and proof of Portuguese citizenship
- Your own identification documents (passport, etc.)
- Police background check
- Proof of your language proficiency (if required)
Once you meet the basic eligibility—typically, at least three years of marriage or civil partnership—you’ll need to gather your documents and submit the application either through a Portuguese consulate or directly at a civil registry office in Portugal.
Naturalizing through residency
One of the most common ways for foreigners to obtain Portuguese citizenship is via naturalization, which depends on having legally resided in Portugal for a certain period, among other requirements.
Under current law, you generally need to have lived in Portugal for five or more years with valid residency status before applying for naturalization. You will also need to demonstrate integration into Portuguese society—this usually means showing basic proficiency in Portuguese (around A2 level) and having a clean criminal record (i.e. no convictions for crimes punishable by three years or more under Portuguese law).
It’s worth noting that the Portuguese government has proposed changes in 2025 which, if approved, would extend the residency requirement to ten years for most people, with seven years for nationals of Portuguese‑speaking countries.
As always, maintaining legal residency throughout the qualifying period is important. Breaks or lapses in your residency status may complicate your application (you may need to show evidence of ties during absences).
Obtaining a Golden Visa
Portugal’s Residence Permit for Investment Activity (ARI), commonly known as the Golden Visa, is a pathway that can lead to citizenship after five years, under current rules, if all requirements are met.
There are several investment routes eligible under the Golden Visa (some have recently changed, and real estate investment is no longer permitted in many cases). Typical options include:
- EUR 500,000 in an approved investment or venture capital fund
- EUR 500,000 in scientific research through accredited institutions
- EUR 250,000 in cultural or heritage projects (sometimes less in certain regions)
- Businesses that create at least 10 jobs in Portugal
After making the qualifying investment, you’ll need to obtain a Portuguese tax number (NIF). Then you can submit the Golden Visa application with your valid passport, proof of investment and source of funds, your NIF, and proof of health insurance.
Approval of the Golden Visa typically takes significant time (processing times vary), after which you’ll receive a renewable residence permit. You must maintain the investment throughout the five‑year period, and satisfy stay requirements—often meaning you spend at least seven days per year in Portugal (though the exact requirement depends on the initial route).
At the end of those five years, provided you meet the other eligibility criteria—such as speaking Portuguese at A2 level and having a clean criminal record—you can apply for Portuguese citizenship.
Beyond the initial investment, you should budget for legal costs, ongoing accountancy or tax support, and government and renewal fees.
Special requirements for documents submitted during the Portuguese citizenship application process
Although the exact documents you’ll need will depend on which citizenship route you take, the rules for how they are prepared tend to follow similar standards:
- Documents such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, criminal record checks, proof of residence, and other official papers typically must be recent, official, and properly legalized. This often means that they carry an apostille stamp if the issuing country is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention.
- If your documents are not already in Portuguese, they usually need to be translated by a certified or sworn translator and then officially certified or notarized.
- Exceptions do exist: Portuguese authorities often accept documents in English, Spanish, or French without translation, or with a simplified certification process—depending on which country issued them and whether there are multilingual forms or legal treaties in place.
How long does it take to get Portuguese citizenship?
The time it takes to obtain Portuguese citizenship depends on the pathway you follow. In most cases, the full process includes both a qualifying period (residency, marriage, etc.) and a citizenship application processing period, which can take several months to a few years.
Here are general timelines after eligibility is met:
- By descent: 1 to 2 years
- By birth (if eligible): 1 to 2 years
- By marriage: ~2 years (after meeting the 3-year marriage requirement)
- By naturalization: 1 to 2 years (after 5+ years of residency)
- By investment (Golden Visa): 1 to 2 years (after 5 years of residency)
These are typical timelines, but can vary significantly due to:
- Missing or incomplete documentation
- Delays in translation, apostille, or certification
- Processing backlogs at embassies, consulates, or registry offices
Once you’re granted citizenship, you can apply for a Portuguese passport through a registry office in Portugal or at your local consulate. This step is usually faster, with processing times ranging from a few days to a few weeks, depending on demand and location.
What are the benefits of Portuguese citizenship?
There are many advantages to becoming a Portuguese citizen—both in everyday quality of life and long‑term opportunities:
- Portugal is known for its safety, pleasant climate, and relatively lower cost of living compared to many Western European countries, offering a high quality of life.
- As a citizen, you’ll have full access to Portugal’s public services, including public healthcare, affordable education, welfare benefits, and strong social security systems.
- As a Portuguese citizen, you become an EU citizen, which grants the right to live, work, study, or retire in other EU member states without needing a visa or work permit.
- The Portuguese passport is highly ranked globally: as of 2025, it provides visa‑free or visa‑on‑arrival access to around 187‑190 countries—placing it among the strongest passports in the world.
- Portugal allows dual citizenship. So if your home country also permits it, you can maintain your original nationality while enjoying Portuguese citizenship—and these benefits can be passed on to future generations.
The path to Portuguese citizenship
You might be eligible for Portuguese citizenship because you’re related to a Portuguese citizen, you’ve been living in Lisbon, Porto, or elsewhere in Portugal, or because you’ve made a qualifying investment in the country.
To choose the best path, consider which route aligns best with your personal history, resources, and long-term plans.
While the process is usually straightforward, it can involve some effort—especially when collecting, translating, and certifying the required documents. If your situation is more complex, you may find it helpful to work with a Portuguese immigration lawyer or citizenship expert.
FAQs
Can I hold dual citizenship with Portugal?
Yes. Portugal permits dual (and even multiple) citizenships, so you can become a Portuguese citizen without renouncing your current nationality. It’s a good idea to check your home country’s rules, though, as some restrict or prohibit holding multiple nationalities (e.g., Japan).
How long does the Portuguese citizenship process take?
Timelines vary by route. The descent, marriage, naturalization, and Golden Visa routes usually take around one to two years after you’ve met the residency requirements and filed your application.
Do I need to speak Portuguese fluently to become a citizen?
You don’t need to be fluent in Portuguese, but you must be proficient in many cases. Typically, you’ll need to show that you can speak the language to an A2 level.
Can my children automatically become Portuguese citizens if I do?
Children born to Portuguese parents are generally entitled to citizenship, provided the birth is registered correctly. If you acquire Portuguese citizenship while your children are minors, they may also be eligible to register for citizenship themselves—but this depends on timing and the specific route. It’s not always fully automatic, so you’ll probably need to submit paperwork for them.
What happens if my citizenship application is denied?
A refusal can be challenged through a hierarchical appeal within the registry system or through a judicial appeal in the Portuguese courts. This process will typically need to be handled by a lawyer in Portugal.