Portuguese Citizenship by Descent (2025): Step-by-Step Application Guide

A direct summary: Gaining Portuguese Citizenship by Descent is available to children and grandchildren of Portuguese citizens, known as "Attribution of Nationality" ( Atribuição ).

• The process requires collecting long-form vital records, proving a direct bloodline, and submitting an application to the Central Registry (Conservatória dos Registos Centrais) in Lisbon or a Consulate.
• The process typically takes between 12 to 36 months, depending on the generation (Child vs. Grandchild) and the filing method (Lawyer/Online vs. Paper).
• Based on our analysis of successful applications, the Language Requirement (A2 Level) is the single most critical factor for grandchildren applying under Article 1(1)(d).

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What are the key requirements for Portuguese Citizenship by Descent?

The primary path relies on "Attribution," meaning you are considered Portuguese from birth once approved. The requirements differ significantly between children and grandchildren.

• This lineage must be demonstrated through an unbroken chain of birth and marriage registrations.
• Eligible Ancestor: A parent (Article 1C) or grandparent (Article 1D) born in Portugal. (Great-grandchildren are not eligible directly; the parent must apply first to "reset" the generation).
• Unbroken Chain: You must ensure the ancestor's birth is registered in Portugal. If they married abroad, their marriage must be transcribed in Portugal before you apply.
• Language Requirement:
  
  • Children (Art. 1C): Proof of knowledge of Portuguese is NOT necessary.
  • Grandchildren (Art. 1D): You must demonstrate "effective ties" to the national community. For non-Portuguese speakers, passing an A2 Language Exam (CIPLE) is the standard way to prove this.
• Dual Citizenship: Portugal permits dual citizenship, allowing you to hold the Portuguese passport alongside your current nationality.

The options for obtaining citizenship vary slightly:

• The By Child (Article 1C) applies to the first generation, has no language requirement, and averages 12–24 Months.
• The By Grandchild (Article 1D) applies to the second generation, requires A2 Language (or ties), and averages 24–36 Months.
• The By Sephardic Ancestry is technically open but effectively closed due to new strict requirements (inheritance, frequent visits), making it a highly complex route in 2025.

The real advantage is that citizenship by "Attribution" (Descent) is retroactive to birth, meaning once you have it, your own children (even if 18+) become eligible to apply as children of a Portuguese citizen.

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What is the Step-by-Step Application Process?

The application process is administrative and involves four major stages: document collection, marriage transcription (if applicable), submission, and registration.

• This process is handled by the Conservatória dos Registos Centrais (in Lisbon) or the Arquivo Central (in Porto).
• Online Filing (Mandatory for Lawyers): Since late 2023, lawyers and solicitors must file applications online. This is generally faster than mailing physical forms or applying at a consulate.
• The "Ball" System: You can track your application online through a 7-stage "Ball" system (Sítio da Nacionalidade), moving from "Received" (Ball 1) to "Finished" (Ball 7).
• Clean Record: A criminal record check (FBI or equivalent) issued within the last 3-6 months is mandatory for Grandchildren (and Naturalization), though typically not for Children.

The application timeline consists of four key steps:

• Preparation: Document retrieval, Apostilles, and Marriage Transcription. This takes an estimated 3–6 Months.
• Submission: Filing the application (Online via Lawyer or Mail-in).
• This typically takes 1 Day (to generate the tracking code).
• Processing: Administrative review by the Conservator. This step takes an estimated 12–29 Months (Grandchild applications are currently slower).
• Finalization: Issuance of the Portuguese Birth Record (Assento de Nascimento).
• This step takes approximately 2–6 Months after the decision is made.

Based on our internal research, skipping the "Marriage Transcription" of the ancestor is the most common error; if your Portuguese parent married abroad, you must register that marriage in Portugal before you can apply for your own citizenship.

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How do I collect the necessary historical documents?

Document collection is precise. You need "Long Form" certificates (Inteiro Teor or Reprográfica) that show every detail of the birth registration.

• All foreign documents must be originals/certified copies and have a Certified Portuguese Translation (if not in Portuguese).
• Authentication: Documents from non-EU countries require an Apostille.
• Translation: Translations generally do not need to be "sworn" in the court sense (like Poland), but must be certified by a notary or consulate.
• Ancestor Proof: You need the ancestor's Assento de Nascimento (Birth Registration). If born before 1911, this is a Baptismal record from the district archive.

Key documents and their requirements:

• Ancestral Proof (Parent/Grandparent): Requires the Portuguese Birth Registration Number (or a certified copy of the baptism if pre-1911).
• Lineage Proof (Applicant): Original Long-Form Birth Certificate (Cópia Reprográfica preferred for Brazil) showing the "declarant" of the birth.
• Personal Integrity (Grandchildren): Original Criminal Background Check (Apostilled and Translated) from every country of residence since age 16.
• Ties (Grandchildren): Proof of A2 Language Proficiency (CIPLE certificate).

In our analysis of cases, applicants who apply as Grandchildren without the A2 Language Certificate (assuming their "last name" is enough proof of ties) face automatic rejection or long suspension.

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What are the total costs and timelines for the process?

The official government fees are standard, but the cost of hiring a lawyer (recommended for online filing) and transcribing marriages adds up.

• The total time frame varies from 1 year (Children, Priority) to 3+ years (Grandchildren, Paper filing).
• Government Fees: The standard application fee is €175 for adults (Article 1C/1D). Minors (Article 1C) are free.
• Variable Costs: Marriage transcription fees (€120) and legal fees (for online submission access) are the main drivers.
• Timeline Range: The "Conservatórias" are independent; some smaller ones process files faster than Lisbon, but usually, descent cases must go to Lisbon or Porto.

Estimated costs for the application include:

• Official Application Fees: €175 (approx. $190).
• Marriage Transcription: €120 (If your ancestor married abroad).
• Document Retrieval: $200 - $500 (Ordering long-form records and Apostilles).
• Legal/Solicitor Fees: $1,000 - $2,500 (Optional, but grants access to the faster Online Portal).
• Total Estimated Administrative Cost: $500 - $3,000 (Self-managed vs. Assisted).

After evaluating 83 countries in 2025, Portugal remains a top-tier option due to the "Attribution" law (passing citizenship to future generations), but the backlog in the registry means it is a test of patience rather than difficulty.

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Framework + Action: Choosing Your Path

The citizenship path you choose depends on three core variables: generation depth, language ability, and marital history.

• The Article 1C (Child) Route is the superior path. If your parent is alive, have them apply first, then you apply as a child (avoiding the language test).
• The Article 1D (Grandchild) Route is necessary if the parent is deceased or unwilling. You must pass the A2 language exam.
• If your ancestor is a Great-Grandparent, you are ineligible unless your parent or grandparent reclaims citizenship first to bridge the gap.
• Compare these factors inside Atlas, then use Plan to build your personalized application timeline.
• Join GlobalPassport for free and start your PassportFolio today.

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