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Citizenship in Portugal
Luis Minvielle
Luis is a writer with over 5 years of experience in B2B software. Even though he has always worked in tech, a sector he regularly publishes about, his initial incursions into writing were, curiously enough, music essays discussing scenes from different parts of the world—most likely to deal with his unfulfilled ambition of becoming a neo-soul crooner.
Oleksandra Dosii
Oleksandra is a dedicated marketer with a passion for growing HR-tech products. She believes content marketing is about delivering high-quality content that provides value—not just generating leads. Since 2016, Oleksandra has been involved in tech talent relocation.
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After five years of living in Portugal with a visa or a temporary residence permit, you can request Portuguese citizenship via naturalisation. Having Portuguese citizenship has some added benefits to a residence permit, like the right to vote in democratic elections and the ability to request a Portuguese passport.
Let’s take a look at the process to get Portuguese citizenship and the different things you should take into consideration.
What are the benefits of Portuguese citizenship?
Much like the permanent residence permit, Portuguese citizenship grants access to social security and public services, including healthcare, without the need to request periodic renewals. However, Portuguese Citizenship has some added benefits, like the right to vote and the right to have a Portuguese passport issued. Plus, it comes with the benefits of being an EU citizen, like the ability to relocate and live in Lisbon, Munich, Stockholm, or elsewhere within the European Union.
Does Portugal allow dual citizenship?
Portugal allows dual citizenship, meaning that you can get Portuguese citizenship without needing to renounce your country of origin’s citizenship.
What are the ways to get Portuguese citizenship?
In general, there are the following ways to get Portuguese citizenship. For a detailed list of requisites for each method, check the official Portuguese Public Services website.
- By naturalisation — You can request to be naturalised as a Portuguese citizen after five lawful and consecutive years of residency. Like in many other European nations, including the Netherlands (but unlike Spain or Belgium), this is the best citizenship pathway for expats who want to become Portuguese.
- By right of blood — if at least one of your parents was a Portuguese citizen at the time of your birth; if you were born in Portugal and at least one of your parents had been living there for at least five years at the time of your birth; if you are under 18 years old, you have been living in Portugal for at least five years and at least one of your parents became a Portuguese citizen after you were born.
- By descent — through your grandparents, or if you descend from the Sephardic Jewish communities that were expelled from Portugal in the 15th century.
- By marriage — if you have been married to a Portuguese citizen for at least 3 years.
- By investment — You can request Portuguese citizenship via the Golden Visa if you’re willing to invest €500,000 into an investment fund or make a €250,000 cultural donation to Portugal.
For expats, the easiest way to get Portuguese citizenship is by naturalisation or by marriage. In case you prefer the second option, your children will be able to get Portuguese citizenship by birth.
Why some official Portuguese sites don’t mention naturalisation
If you’re reading official Portuguese consulate websites, you’ll notice plenty don’t mention naturalisation. If you base on those sites only, you’ll think that the only paths available to become Portuguese are by right of blood or descent. Or aquisição and atribuição, as they call them.
But this is because consulates abroad can only help you with these citizenship paths.
You can only request naturalisation if you’re in Portugal. That’s why plenty of official, well-written sites of the Portuguese government don’t even mention it.
When can you apply for Portuguese citizenship?
Typically, you can start your application process for Portuguese citizenship after five consecutive years of living in the country with a visa or a residence permit. However, if your spouse is a Portuguese citizen, you can apply after 3 years of marriage have passed.
What documents are required?
Depending on the path you’re following to obtain your Portuguese citizenship, you may need some different documents. However, here’s a list of documents you’ll need in most of the cases.
- Valid identification document
- Birth certificate.
- Proof of residence in Portugal for the required period of time.
- Proof of language proficiency of at least A2.
- Clean criminal record
- Citizenship request letter addressed to the Ministry of Justice.
- Marriage certificate (if applicable)
- Birth certificate of your parents or grandparents (if applicable)
- Proof of nationality of your parents or grandparents (if applicable)
- Proof of relationship to your parents or grandparents (if applicable.
How to apply for Portuguese citizenship?
You’ll probably need a lawyer or solicitor to apply for Portuguese citizenship. It’s the easiest way.
You can apply at an IRN office, the National Support Centre for the Integration of Immigrants, a Citizen Shop, or, if you’re on certain paths (i.e. by descent from the Sephardi communities), you can do it at the consulate in your home country. You can find forms for this last case at the consulate’s site—each consulate uses a different form in the country’s language.
You can also check the citizen map and see which offices or shops are open near you.
The application for Portuguese nationality can be made online, as long as it is done through a lawyer or solicitor. The application can also be made by the person themselves, over the counter or by post.
It is also possible to check the status of the application online.
What are Portuguese citizenship fees?
The fee for naturalisation, marriage, and blood right citizenship applications is €250. Consulates charge that same amount but in the local currency.
Is there a Portuguese citizenship test?
There is no citizenship test in Portugal, unlike in, for example, the United Kingdom. However, a requisite for any method for getting Portuguese citizenship is to certify your proficiency in the language. To achieve this, you have to pass the Initial Certificate of Portuguese as a Foreign Language (CIPLE). This exam is two hours long, and it examines writing and reading, oral comprehension and oral proficiency. There are several examination centres where you can take the CIPLE, and it costs around €70.
Portuguese from Portugal is slightly different from Brazilian Portuguese
If you’re about to take the test because you learned to speak Portuguese in Rio de Janeiro or São Paulo, think twice. Portuguese pronunciation has diverged so much that some Brazilians have trouble understanding Portuguese from Lisbon or Porto. So, if you want to take the CIPLE, try bringing your oral comprehension and proficiency up to speed with Portugal.
Can your family members get Portuguese citizenship?
If you become a Portuguese citizen, your spouse will be able to apply for citizenship after 3 years of marriage, following the standard citizenship application process for marriage right.
As for the children, they get Portuguese citizenship at birth in case one of their parents is a Portuguese citizen at the moment of their birth, according to the birth right path to requesting Portuguese citizenship. If you become a Portuguese citizen after the child is born, they can apply for Portuguese citizenship after living for five years in the country. The process, however, is significantly simpler if they’re still under 18 years old.
What if your application is rejected?
There is no appeal system for rejected citizenship applications in Portugal, but you can contact the IRN or the Portuguese consulate in your home country to ask for a reconsideration, or you could eventually take the matter to the Portuguese court.
Talk to an immigration expert
If you’re considering becoming a Portuguese citizen, you already know what it takes: five years in this sunny, smiling country. And in return, you’ll get a very strong passport that will allow you to work and live in Lisbon or Porto, but also The Hague, Berlin, or Rome.
But the Portuguese process can be a bit overwhelming, especially because resources in English are scarce. That’s why the best way to start is by speaking with experts who can guide you all the way through.
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