HOW TO GET PORTUGAL CITIZENSHIP
How to get Portuguese citizenship: 5 PATHS TO BECOME A CITIZEN OF PORTUGAL
Portugal has many pathways to citizenship, and knowing which of these is the best one for you to apply is the first step to become a citizen of Portugal. Below, we outline exactly how to get Portugal citizenship—with an overview of each pathway, its eligibility requirements, and how each path works.
There are 5 primary paths you can check for how get Portuguese citizenship. Each path has its unique set of citizenship requirements base on the Portuguese nationality law. Below we have a table that will quickly help you compare the different paths for becoming a Portuguese citizen with the eligibility criteria, key requirements, and the key benefits.
Due to recent changes to Portugal’s Nationality Law, the information in the article below regarding how to get Portuguese citizenship has been recently updated.
How to Get Portuguese Citizenship at a Glance
| Pathway | Eligibility Criteria | Key Requirements | Key Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Golden Visa | Open to anyone that can meet the requirements for applying for citizenship by investment | ● Non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens ● 18+ years old ● Clean criminal record ● Qualifying investment (€250,000+) ● Meet stay requirements (7 days in year one, 14 days per subsequent two-year periods) | ● Minimum time required in country ● Flexible investment options ● Maintain investment for 5 years |
| Naturalization | Open to anyone who has lived in Portugal for at least 5 years under a valid residency permit. | ● Must be 18 years or older ● Residency in Portugal for 5+ years ● Proficiency in Portuguese ● Ties to Portugal ● Clean criminal record | ● No ancestral or marital ties required ● Leads to dual citizenship ● Access to EU benefits |
| Citizenship by Descent | Individuals with a Portuguese parent, grandparent, or great-grandparent at the time of their birth. | ● Prove lineage through official documents ● Proficiency in Portuguese ● Strong ties to Portugal ● Clean criminal record | ● No residency requirement ● Quick processing for direct descent from parents |
| Citizenship for Sephardic Jews | Sephardic Jews with ancestry linked to communities were expelled during the 15th-century Inquisition | ● Proof of Sephardic Jewish heritage ● Certificate from a recognized Jewish community in Portugal ● Proof of connection to Sephardic heritage (e.g., Ladino language usage) | ● Avoids residency requirements ● Acknowledges historical injustices |
| Citizenship by Marriage | Those married to or in an ongoing relationship with a Portuguese citizen for at least 3 years. | ● Marriage certificate or proof of ongoing relationship ● Connection to Portuguese culture or community | ● No residency required ● Citizenship can still be granted even if the marriage ends before the process is finalized |
How to Become a Citizen of Portugal— 5 Paths
In the following section, we go through each of the 5 main pathways for how to get citizenship in Portugal: naturalization, citizenship by descent, citizenship for Sephardic Jews, and citizenship by marriage.
To quickly obtain the info you need, jump to the appropriate section below to learn how to obtain Portuguese citizenship.
All of these paths are for non-EU citizens.
PATH 1: Portuguese Citizenship by Descent
If your ancestor was a citizen of Portugal, this may be the easiest way how to become a Portuguese citizen yourself. With citizenship by descent, you must prove this ancestral connection to Portugal, and can often waive lengthy residency requirements that are required with getting citizenship in Portugal through naturalization.
That being said, unlike many other European countries, Portugal still requires you are proficient in the language and can prove you have strong ties to the country—be they economic, social, or cultural.
To be eligible, at the time of your birth, you’ll need to have one of the following:
- Portuguese parent (this is the easiest way, as you’ll be automatically granted citizenship)
- Portuguese grandparent or great-grandparent (you’ll have to prove this connection through birth and marriage certificates for all generations in between)
Then, as with naturalization, you’ll need to prove:
- Proficiency in the Portuguese language
- Strong ties to Portugal
- Clean criminal record
If you would like to know more, check out our complete guide here for applying for citizenship by descent.
PATH 2: Citizenship by Marriage
If you want to learn how to become a Portuguese citizen because you just married one, you’re in luck.
Requirements:
- Have an ongoing relationship or marriage with a Portuguese citizen for at least 3 years (this needs documentation)
- Proof of connection to Portugal’s culture and community
As you can see, this path removes the onerous residency requirement, and even if you divorce or break-up before the application process is finished, you can still be granted citizenship.
Check out our full guide on how to apply for citizenship through marriage here.
PATH 3: Golden Visa (Citizenship by Investment)
The Portugal Golden Visa program is open to almost anyone who can meet the financial and residency requirements to apply. It is also one of the easiest paths to obtain an EU passport.
Requirements:
- Non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens
- 18+ years old
- Clean criminal record
- Qualifying investment (€250,000+)
- Meet stay requirements (7 days in year one, 14 days per subsequent two-year periods)
If you can meet the requirements to apply for citizenship by investment under the Portugal Golden Visa program this may be the most efficient option.
To learn how to obtain Portuguese citizenship through the Golden Visa, please see this resource:
- Read more about the full guide to the Portugal Golden Visa
PATH 4: Citizenship by Naturalization
This is the pathway most open to just about anybody. If you want to know how to get Portuguese nationality but have no special connection to the country, this is your single best route.
Requirements:
- 18 years of age or older
- Continuously lived in Portugal for 5 years (this starts to count at the moment you submit your application for a residency permit)
- Ability to demonstrate ties to Portugal
- Proficiency in the Portuguese language
- A clean criminal record (with no sentence for a crime that would get 3 or more years in prison if prosecuted in Portugal)
- A health certificate showing you don’t have communicable diseases
As you can see, time spent in Portugal under a residency permit is most people’s biggest block. And that’s why choosing the visa that gets you access to that time becomes very important. For more information, check out this resource:
- Our guide on every visa available in Portugal
PATH 5: Citizenship for Sephardic Jews
If you are a Sephardic Jew whose ancestry connects you to Jewish communities expelled in the 15th century, you have a unique route open to you.
This was passed into law in 2015—a way to heal the historical injustices of the Inquisition.
Requirements:
- Proof of Sephardic Jewish heritage
- A certificate of Sephardic Jewish descent from a recognized Jewish community in Portugal
- Proof of an ongoing connection to the Sephardic Heritage (like the continued use of the Ladino language)
For Sephardic Jews wondering how to get citizenship in Portugal, this can be a great option to overcome the residency requirements of naturalization even if they don’t have an easy-to-prove Portuguese ancestor.
How to Get Citizenship in Portugal - Application Process
Once you’ve identified your path for how to become a citizen of Portugal, it’s time to apply. No matter the method, this will generally look the same.
- Gather documentation. It’s important that everything you submit has been officially translated into Portuguese (if necessary) and certified. Check out our full guide on documentation here.
- Fill out your application. This will take place at the Institute of Registries and Notaries (CNAIM) in Lisbon or Porto, an online application via a lawyer or solicitor, or at the Portuguese Consulate (if you live outside Portugal). Find our full guide on the application for Portuguese citizenship here.
- Wait for processing. This takes anywhere from 6 months to 2 years.
How to Get Portugal Citizenship—How Much Does It Cost?
You can expect the application fee to run €175.
A CIPLE language test that proves your proficiency in Portuguese will run €72.
If you need to translate and notarize documents, that could be as much as €100 per document.
Finally, certificates showing a clean bill of health, criminal records, and legal support can all vary widely.
How to Get Portuguese Nationality with Support
We receive many calls asking how can I get Portuguese citizenship. There are many ways to become a citizen of Portugal and enjoy its many benefits. The first step is always to identify the path you will be applying through and confirming if you meet the requirements. However, even in the most straightforward cases, people often run into challenges, document issues, and delays.
At PDC our team of professionals offers start-to-finish citizenship services for your Portuguese citizenship application.
It all starts by booking a free consultation call to review the details of your case.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I get Portugal citizenship?
Portuguese citizenship is open to those who have lived in the country for at least 5 years, who have Portuguese ancestors, whose ancestors were Sephardic Jews expelled during the 15th century, or spouses of Portuguese citizens.
What is the fastest way to get Portuguese citizenship?
The fastest way is typically applying for citizenship by descent. But that requires having a parent, grandparent, or great-grandparent who was a Portuguese citizen.
When did Portugal allow dual citizenship?
Dual citizenship has always been available in Portugal under the current Portuguese nationality law.
Will Portugal allow dual citizenship?
Yes – as long as the country you are currently a citizen of allows it, then you can become a dual citizen.
Does Portugal allow dual citizenship with UK?
Yes – Portugal does allow dual citizenship with the UK.
How can a US citizen get dual citizenship with Portugal?
To become a dual citizen in Portugal and the US, you must successfully apply to become a citizen using one of the pathways outlined in the article above. Then, you’ll become a Portuguese citizen while maintaining your US citizenship.
This page was last updated with help by Marco Permunian
Do You Qualify?
Want to learn if you qualify for Portugal citizenship and find the most efficient path for you? Contact us for a free consultation to speak with a professional.
