CITIZENSHIP

LVP Advogados provide full bureaucratic and legal assistance to foreign Clients with obtaining Portuguese citizenship.

Our service includes the following, as needed by the Client:

 

  • Advice on the formalities and practicalities involved
  • Obtaining the necessary Portuguese documents to support the application
  • If required, obtaining Portuguese tax id, social security and national health service numbers
  • If applicable, preparing and getting foreign birth and marriage registration transcribed to Portugal's civil registry
  • Preparing and submitting the citizenship application
  • Providing assistance with dealing with any issues that may be raised by the Portuguese authorities
  • Assisting with paying the Government fees
  • Collecting and forwarding certificates to the Client
  • Introducing the Client to non-legal professionals as may be needed

JOANA TORRES FERNANDES

Partner and Head of Immigration & Nationality

About Portuguese Citizenship

Portuguese citizenship can be acquired through two primary pathways:

Citizenship by acquisition 

  • Is born in Portugal and has a Portuguese parent.
  • Is born abroad and has a Portuguese parent, provided that the Portuguese parent was working abroad for the Portuguese state.
  • Is born in Portugal and has a Portuguese parent if the Portuguese parent registers the birth with the Portuguese civil registry.
  • Is born abroad and has a Portuguese grandparent who did not lose his/her Portuguese nationality, provided that: the applicant has: (a) proof of knowledge of the Portuguese language; (b) proof of regular contacts and effective connections with Portugal; and (c) a criminal record certificate showing no conviction for a crime punishable in Portugal by a prison sentence of more than 3 years.
  • Is born in Portugal and does not have a Portuguese parent, but has one Portugal-born parent, provided that the Portugal-born parent resided in the country, independent of title, at the time of the birth.
  • Individuals born in Portuguese territory, children of foreign nationals who are not in the service of their respective State, who do not declare that they do not wish to be Portuguese, provided that, at the time of birth, one of the parents is legally residing in Portuguese territory, or has been residing here, regardless of the residence status, for at least one year.
  • Is born in Portugal and does not have any other citizenship.
  • Is a minor or incapacitated person whose parent has acquired Portuguese nationality, provided that the parent(s) declare their intention to register the child as a Portuguese citizen.
  • Has been married to a Portuguese citizen or has been in a de facto union with a Portuguese citizen for at least three years, provided that he/she is not serving a third country as military personnel or as a non-technical civil servant, and submits the following:
  1. A marriage certificate or a judicial ruling recognising the de facto union, as applicable;
  2. The birth certificate of the Portuguese spouse or partner;
  3. Evidence of regular contact with, and effective ties to, Portugal, unless the couple has a Portuguese child; and
  4. A criminal record certificate confirming no conviction for a crime that, under Portuguese law, is punishable by a prison sentence of more than three years.


  • Those who lost Portuguese nationality as a result of a declaration made during a period of incapacity may reacquire it, upon becoming capable, using a declaration.
  • An individual who has been adopted by a Portuguese citizen may acquire citizenship.

Citizenship by naturalisation

  • Has held legal residency in Portugal for at least 5 years, provided that the applicant: (a) is at least 18 y.o. or emancipated; (b) has proof of knowledge of the Portuguese language; (c) has a criminal record certificate showing no conviction for a crime punishable in Portugal by a prison sentence of more than 3 years; (d) has not been involved in terrorism-connected activities.
  • Minors aged 16 or older, born in Portugal to foreign parents, if: (a) one parent has resided in Portugal, regardless of residence title, for the five years before the request; (b) one parent holds a valid residence permit; (c) the minor has completed pre-school, basic, secondary or vocational education in Portugal.
  • Individuals who have lost the Portuguese citizenship and never acquired another one, provided that he/she file a citizenship application together with proof of meeting the legal requirements.
  • Individuals born in Portugal to foreign parents who were residing in Portugal at the time of birth (regardless of status), and who have lived in Portugal for at least five years.
  • Individuals who have rendered or are called to render relevant services to the Portuguese State.
  • Members of Portuguese-origin communities from Timor, Portuguese-speaking African countries or Goa
  • Descendants of original Portuguese citizens.
  • Descendants of Portuguese Sephardic Jews, provided they prove a tradition of belonging to a Sephardic community and have resided in Portugal for at least three years.
  • Ascendants of Portuguese citizens, if they have lived in Portugal for at least five years (regardless of title). The parental relationship existed at the time of the Portuguese citizen’s birth.
  • Individuals who lost nationality for having resided in Portugal for less than five years on 25 April 1974, provided they did not serve a foreign State and remained in Portugal.
  • Women who lost Portuguese nationality due to marriage to a foreign citizen. 
  • Individuals who lost their nationality by voluntarily acquiring another nationality.