The Paths to Obtain a Portuguese Passport

7 July 2021

Manuella Sena

The Portuguese passport is one of the most desired documents across the globe because of the number of benefits associated to it, such as the right to travel, live, work and study within the EU area, free access to more than 186 countries, free access to healthcare, schools, and an amazing lifestyle. The Portuguese passport was ranked the sixth most powerful in the world among 188 countries, according to the Henley Passport Index.

The acquisition of Portuguese citizenship is regulated by the Nationality Law as amended and regulated, and the application for citizenship is to be submitted to a civil registry office in Portugal. However, once citizenship is acquired, passport applications are handled by Portuguese Immigration Office (SEF - Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras), although the application may be submitted at a Citizen's Shop (Loja do Cidadão) or a Portuguese Consulate.

Under Portuguese law, there are several ways to acquire citizenship, among which we would like to highlight the following:

Portuguese ancestry

Portuguese citizenship may be acquired if someone is born abroad and has a Portuguese parent or grandparent who did not lose his/her Portuguese nationality. This is one of the most popular paths to get a Portuguese passport.

Residency in Portugal

Another prominent path to acquire Portuguese citizenship by naturalisation, is provided that the person is holder of a valid residence title in Portugal for the last 5 years.

Portuguese citizenship may also be acquired by naturalisation if someone was born abroad and has a Portuguese child, provided that the applicant has been living in Portugal for the last 5 years prior to the request, independently if holder or not of a valid residence title.

Marriage or non-marital partnership

Another possibility is it may also be acquired by the spouse or life partner of a Portuguese citizen of at least 3 years, provided that the applicant is not at the service of a third country as a non-conscript military or as a non-technical civil servant, and the applicant can provide evidence of having regular contacts and effective ties to Portugal.

Portuguese Sephardic Jews

Another possibility unknown by many people is that Portuguese citizenship may also be acquired by naturalisation, provided that the applicant is a descendant of Portuguese Sephardic Jews and belongs to a Sephardic community of Portuguese origin.

Portuguese former territories

The Decree-Law 308-A/75 June 24 rules the possibility of citizenship for individuals born in the former territories: Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Portuguese India, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Macao and São Tomé and Príncipe or those whose parents were born in these countries under Portuguese rule. This is the ideal option for those who despite being born in one of these countries, have maintained strong ties and connection with Portugal by being long-term residents in the country.

Also consider that, after acquiring the Portuguese nationality, the parents may request the Portuguese citizenship for their underage child(ren) or their adult child(ren) lacking capacity, provided that one of the parents has already acquired Portuguese citizenship.

We are a legal team with expertise in all the routes for obtaining a Portuguese passport. For further information on how we can assist you and/or your family, please do not hesitate to contact us.