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Portugal Citizenship Program – Requirements and How to Apply

Begin your journey towards becoming a Portuguese citizen with the expert guidance of Consult Immigration. Portugal offers a variety of routes to citizenship, suitable for individuals from diverse backgrounds.

We are dedicated to guiding you through each step of acquiring Portuguese citizenship, ensuring a seamless application process.

Who can Apply for Portuguese Citizenship?

The eligibility for Portuguese citizenship can be categorized as follows:

 1) Born Abroad

  • Individuals married or in a non-marital partnership with a Portuguese national for more than three years.
  • Those living legally in Portugal for at least 5 years.
  • Children or grandchildren of Portuguese nationals.
  • Members of Portuguese communities abroad.

2) Reacquisition of Portuguese Nationality

  • For those who were previously Portuguese nationals but never obtained another nationality.
  • Individuals who chose another nationality and wish to regain their Portuguese nationality.

3) Other Cases for Portuguese Nationality

  • Individuals who have rendered relevant services to the Portuguese State or community.
  • Descendants of Portuguese Sephardic Jews.

In all scenarios, specific legal requirements and documentation must be met and submitted.

The Portuguese Citizenship Application Process

The process of applying for Portuguese citizenship involves several steps, and Consult Immigration is here to ensure that your application is handled efficiently and correctly.

Here’s a breakdown of the typical application process for the most common routes to Portuguese citizenship:

Citizenship for Those Born Abroad

  • Confirm that you meet the residency requirement, whether it’s through marriage, partnership, or living in Portugal.
  • Assemble necessary documents, including proof of relationship with a Portuguese national, evidence of legal residence in Portugal, and birth certificates.
  • File your citizenship application through the appropriate Portuguese government channels, ensuring all requirements are met.

Reacquisition of Portuguese Nationality

  • Determine your eligibility based on previous loss of Portuguese nationality.
  • Collect relevant documents such as previous nationality records and identification papers.
  • Submit a formal request for the reacquisition of Portuguese nationality, adhering to the legal procedures and deadlines.

Citizenship through Other Special Cases

  • Confirm eligibility under special cases like services rendered to Portugal or descent from Portuguese Sephardic Jews.
  • Prepare necessary documentation, including evidence of services rendered or proof of Sephardic Jewish descent.
  • Follow the specific application procedure for your category, which may include additional steps or requirements.

How We Can Help

Our team at Consult Immigration provides comprehensive assistance throughout your Portuguese citizenship application process.

Our services include:

  • Personalized Consultation: Tailored advice based on your specific situation and the citizenship route you are pursuing.
  • Document Management: Assistance in collecting, preparing, and organizing all necessary documentation for your application.
  • Application Guidance: Detailed guidance through the application process, ensuring all legal and procedural requirements are met.
  • Legal Representation: If required, we can assist with expert legal representation to handle any complex issues or appeals that may arise during your application process.

Portugal Citizenship – Frequently Asked Questions

To assist you further in your journey to obtaining Portuguese citizenship, here are some frequently asked questions to provide clarity on common inquiries:

How long does the Portugal citizenship application process typically take?

The timeline varies depending on the specific route to citizenship, but it generally ranges from one to three years after submitting all required documents.

Is knowledge of the Portuguese language required for citizenship?

Yes, applicants are usually required to demonstrate a basic understanding of the Portuguese language.

Can I maintain dual citizenship with Portugal?

Portugal allows dual citizenship with most countries, meaning you can retain your original nationality in many cases.

What are the main requirements for citizenship through marriage?

You must be married to or in a non-marital partnership with a Portuguese national for at least three years and meet other legal and residency requirements.

What if my citizenship application is denied?

You can appeal the decision or reapply by addressing the reasons for denial, possibly with legal assistance.

Are children born in Portugal to foreign parents eligible for citizenship?

Yes, children born in Portugal may be eligible for citizenship, especially if they have a Portuguese parent or have lived in Portugal for a certain period.

Do I need to reside in Portugal during the citizenship application process?

Continuous legal residence is often required, particularly for citizenship through residence.

How does having Portuguese ancestry affect my application?

Having Portuguese ancestry can provide a more straightforward path to citizenship, especially if you are a direct descendant of Portuguese nationals.

What are the costs associated with applying for Portuguese citizenship?

Costs vary depending on the citizenship route and may include fees for document processing, legal services, government fees, and language proficiency tests.

Can Portuguese citizenship be passed down to future generations?

Yes, Portuguese citizenship acquired by naturalization can typically be passed onto future generations.

Contact Us and Begin Your Path to Portuguese Citizenship

Start your path to Portuguese citizenship with our expert assistance. Complete the form below to begin your journey with Consult Immigration.

Our dedicated team of Qualified Attorneys and Legal Advisors is ready to provide you with expert, tailored guidance and support throughout each stage of your Portuguese Citizenship application.

What our Consult Clients have to say

I can´t tell you how much we appreciate Pina & David of Consult Immigration and how they picked up the pieces and helped us to get our visas for Spain.

They were able to correct the errors of the previous law firm and move us forward as quickly as possible. We really appreciate all they has done for us hand walking us through the steps and keep us calm.

I highly recommend using Consult Immigration from to help with your immigration to Spain.

Eric PrattTexas, USA

I was hesitant to take this big step and apply for citizenship through descent, but I took the plunge and paid for an appointment with Consult Immigration. I am so happy I did this. David and Ines answered all my questions and were extremely helpful with their extensive knowledge of the process and they asked questions for me that opened my mind to many other possibilities that would lead me to my new destination. I really liked both of them and I felt they truly earned my trust. Great service. I got so much more out of our meeting than I expected. Nice surprise!

Shannon RossCalifornia, USA

I received outstanding professional service from Consult Immigration attorney Pina Espinoza. I selected this firm because it is based in Spain and specializes in immigration services only for Spain and Portugal. Moving to Spain from the U.S., I figured they knew more about Spain than a U.S. firm would, and they speak English.

After an informative online meeting with Pina, I realized how valuable their services would be. I found Pina to be gracious, warm, and knowledgeable throughout the process. She was very accessible, and I always dealt directly with her, so I was never passed off to an assistant.

As a CPA, I’m good at following instructions and have studied the Non-Lucrative Visa requirements on the L.A. Consulate’s website. However, having gone through the process to obtain my resident card, I realize I would not have done it correctly without their firm’s services.

I found their fees reasonable for the services rendered, and they relieved me of hours of frustration if I had attempted it on my own. I highly recommend Consult Immigration.

Linda MArizona, USA

Pina is great! I highly recommend her, especially if you’re wanting someone who can give more than just what is needed. Pina has intangible insights into the process, which greatly helps in navigating it. The visa application process is daunting and frustrating, but working with Pina has made all the difference!

Carly MonzaPennsylvania, USA

Dear David, thank you so much for the assistance and professional service I received from you during my immigration process to Portugal. If it was not for your sound advice, I could have made a disastrous choice as to which country to relocate to, given the technical nature of immigration laws and how they are applied to foreigners. The support I received from you while dealing with the local officials was also very beneficial. Thanks for going the extra mile!

Schalk BadenhorstGeorge, South Africa

David, Pina and his team at Consult assisted me in my residency permit application for Mallorca, Spain through their tireless efforts in SA and Spain, from initial interest through to making appointments with the relevant authorities in Palma and were highly knowledgeable and patient throughout the process. Highly recommended!

Maira KoutsoudakisCEO LIFE Group of Companies

We would like to thank you once again for your very professional assistance in making this move possible. Your support during the process in South Africa was invaluable and your associates here in Portugal were very professional in dealing with the local procedures. This would be a daunting process without professional help and we can strongly recommend your services to anybody interested in relocating to Portugal.

Pieter Steyn & Márcia Camargo

I have had the pleasure of dealing with David at Consult and have been highly impressed with his professionalism. Pina, his partner in Spain, has also been extremely helpful and prompt to reply. I would highly recommend their immigration services to anyone looking to have the bureaucracy streamlined.

Simone BishopJohannesburg, South Africa

Consult Immigration assisted my husband and I with our residency application for Spain last year, and I can honestly say that I don't know how we would have achieved it without their assistance. There was always clear communication and we were kept up to speed on where we were in the application process, right through to our appointments in Spain and the approval of our residency. I highly recommend Consult Immigration.

Kristin ShawDurban, South Africa

Pina is fantastic! I had an especially complicated visa situation. There is ZERO chance I could have done this on my own due to all of the additional paperwork requests, Apostille, and translation. Pina is an A+++++ immigration lawyer.

Nick JordanSeattle, USA

I have recently experienced the efficient service delivered by Consult Immigration as part of my residency application to Spain. I found David very open, enthusiastic to help and give advice, and knowledgeable. It was a pleasure working with him and I strongly recommend.

Hugh TurpinPalma de Mallorca, Spain

I highly recommend Pina, David, and their team. Their expert advice helped us through a difficult situation, and we are very grateful to them.

Emma MerryUnited Kingdom