Overview

Citizenship is a legal status granted by a state that confers specific rights and responsibilities upon individuals. This status allows a person to live, work, and vote in the country where they are recognized as a citizen. Along with these privileges, citizenship comes with obligations; citizens are expected to obey the laws, pay taxes, and actively participate in their nation’s civic life.

What is Portugal Citizenship?

Portugal Citizenship is a grant that individuals get full membership in the Portuguese state, providing rights such as living, working, voting, and holding a Portuguese (EU) passport. There are several pathways to obtain Portuguese citizenship, including by birth, through descent from Portuguese parents or grandparents, marriage or partnership with a Portuguese citizen, long-term residency (typically after 5 years), or via special programs for descendants of Sephardic Jews. Additionally, Portugal permits dual citizenship and has a relatively accessible application process, especially for those who fulfill the residency, language (A2 level), and background criteria.

Who May Apply for Citizenship in Portugal?

To apply, you usually need to show basic knowledge of the Portuguese language, have no serious criminal record, and demonstrate integration into Portuguese society. You can apply for Portuguese citizenship if you meet certain criteria set by the Portuguese government. This includes people who were born to a Portuguese parent or grandparent.

It also covers spouses or legal partners of Portuguese citizens after three years of marriage or partnership. You can qualify if you have lived in Portugal legally for at least five years (this will change to six years in 2024). Additionally, individuals born in Portugal to foreign parents may qualify under specific conditions, as well as descendants of Sephardic Jews who were expelled from Portugal.

Citizenship by Marriage or Partnership

You can apply for Portuguese citizenship if you are a foreign national who has been married to or in a legally recognized partnership (de facto union) with a Portuguese citizen for at least three years. You must demonstrate your genuine ties to the nation and your assimilation into Portuguese culture. Although you are not need to reside in Portugal permanently, your application may benefit from having connections to the nation, such as travel, joint property ownership, or fluency in the language. Additionally, you must not have a significant criminal history.

Citizenship for Sephardic Jews

Portugal citizenship to individuals who can demonstrate their descent from Sephardic Jews expelled from the country in the 15th century. To apply, applicants must establish a strong connection to the Sephardic Jewish community, typically by providing a certificate from a recognized Jewish organization along with supporting documents such as family records or surnames. There is no requirement to reside in Portugal, speak Portuguese, or renounce current citizenship. However, it’s essential to stay updated on any recent legal changes that may necessitate more robust proof of ties to Portugal before proceeding with the application.

Documents Needed to Apply for Portuguese Citizenship

To apply for Portuguese citizenship, you generally need several documents: a valid passport or national ID, a birth certificate (which may require an apostille or legalization and translation if it’s not in Portuguese), and a criminal record certificate from both your home country and Portugal if you’ve lived there. If you’re applying for naturalization, proof of legal residence is necessary. If you are applying through marriage, you’ll need a marriage or partnership certificate, along with proof of language proficiency, typically in the form of a Portuguese language test certificate. 

Additional paperwork may include a declaration of intention (for specific pathways), two passport-sized photos, and certifications of integration, such as evidence of employment, property ownership, or community ties. It’s important to note that all foreign documents must be legally recognized and translated by a certified translator before submission.

Processing Time and Fee

Applying for Portuguese citizenship can take a long time due to existing administrative backlogs. There are over 400,000 applications waiting to be processed. Some applicants have reported waiting as long as three years for citizenship through residency, although it usually takes 18 to 24 months. Applications based on Sephardic Jewish heritage can take 24 to 36 months, while citizenship through marriage or partnership typically takes 25 to 30 months. To help speed up the process and reduce delays, recent efforts include launching a new digital platform powered by AI in late 2024.

Portugal gives Dual Citizenship

Portugal allows dual citizenship, meaning you can retain your original nationality when you acquire Portuguese citizenship. However, whether you can keep your original citizenship depends on the laws of your home country; some countries do not permit dual nationality and may require you to give up your original citizenship. Therefore, while Portugal supports dual nationality, it’s essential to review the citizenship regulations of your native country before pursuing Portuguese citizenship.

Benefits of Portugal Citizenship

Portuguese citizenship offers a variety of significant advantages. It grants individuals the freedom to live, work, and study in both Portugal and across all European Union nations. Citizens benefit from access to high-quality healthcare and social security systems, and they have the right to vote in both Portuguese and EU elections. Additionally, Portuguese citizens can travel to over 180 countries without a visa or with simplified entry procedures, including popular destinations like the United States, Canada, and much of South America.

The citizenship also supports family reunification efforts, provides access to educational institutions and job programs within the EU, and ensures legal protections under Portuguese and EU laws. These privileges make Portuguese citizenship a valuable asset for personal, professional, and financial growth. And employment programs, and legal protection under Portuguese and EU legislation, making it an important asset for personal, professional, and financial development.

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