MÁS SOBRE Portugal

Portugal's Citizenship by Descent

Portugal offers citizenship by descent to individuals with Portuguese ancestry, allowing them to reconnect with their heritage and gain the benefits of Portuguese and EU citizenship.

MOBILITY ASSSET SNAPSHOT

Discover Citizenship by Descent in Portugal

Portuguese citizenship by descent is available to individuals who can prove Portuguese ancestry in a direct line. This path to citizenship allows descendants of Portuguese citizens to claim their heritage, with specific provisions for different groups.

Portugal
Mobility Asset Index Score
72.50%
Tipo de activo de movilidad
Ciudadanía por ascendencia
Official Name
Ciudadanía portuguesa por ascendencia
Launched in:
1975
Online Submission:
Residency Privileges
(in months)
Lifetime
Adjudication Time
(in months)
22
Minimum Stay Requirement
(in days)
Ninguno
In-Country Presence Requirement
(in months)
Ninguno

Visión general

A Snapshot of Citizenship by Descent in Portugal

One-Liner: Reconnect with your Portuguese roots through citizenship by descent.

Requisitos

At least one parent or grandparent was a Portuguese citizen

Restricciones de anclaje

Must not have lost their Portuguese citizenship

Meses para la ciudadanía

18-36 months

Duración del visado

Meses para el visado

Requisito de presencia física

Ninguno

Disponibilidad

Difícil

Subsidio familiar

Cónyuge e hijos

Visión general

Administrative Path: Submit application to the Institute of Registries and Notaries at the National Center for Support to the Integration of Migrants (CNAIM) in Lisbon or Porto.

Visión general

Discover How GlobalPassport Simplifies the Application Process for Portugal's Citizenship by Descent

Guía paso a paso

Nuestro experimentado equipo le guiará en cada etapa del proceso de solicitud, ofreciéndole una asistencia personalizada y adaptada a sus necesidades.

Preparación de documentos

Le ayudaremos a reunir y organizar los documentos que necesita para presentar su solicitud.

Presentación de solicitudes

Una vez que sus documentos estén listos, le indicaremos dónde y cómo presentar su solicitud a las autoridades pertinentes.

¿Preguntas?

FAQ's

Find answers to common questions about GlobalPassport™ and our services.

Is there a generational limit for Portuguese citizenship by descent?

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Do I need to speak Portuguese to apply for citizenship by descent?

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¿Cuánto dura el proceso de solicitud de la nacionalidad?

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Can I hold dual citizenship with Portugal?

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Where do I submit my application for Portuguese citizenship by descent?

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benefits

Benefits of Citizenship by Descent in Portugal

Portuguese citizenship offers numerous advantages, including EU membership benefits, visa-free travel to approximately 180 countries, and the opportunity to live and work in Portugal and other EU countries.

Gain EU citizenship through Sephardic Jewish ancestry

Access to Portugal's favorable tax regime for new residents

Visa-free travel to over 180 countries

Estabilidad del programa

No Physical Presence or In-Country Visit Requirements

Online Submission Allowed

Países sin visado

158

Passport Validity

5 years

Visión general

Por qué Portugal

Portugal offers a rich cultural heritage, beautiful landscapes, and the benefits of EU membership. As a Portuguese citizen, you'll have access to opportunities across Europe and beyond.

Ventajas:

  • Ciudadanía de la UE
  • Visa-free travel to approximately 180 countries
  • Right to live and work in Portugal and other EU countries

Ventajas:

  • High quality of life
  • Affordable cost of living
  • Favorable tax regime for new residents

¿Preguntas?

FAQ's

Find answers to common questions about GlobalPassport™ and our services.

Is there a generational limit for Portuguese citizenship by descent?

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Do I need to speak Portuguese to apply for citizenship by descent?

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¿Cuánto dura el proceso de solicitud de la nacionalidad?

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Can I hold dual citizenship with Portugal?

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Where do I submit my application for Portuguese citizenship by descent?

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REQUIREMENTS

Requirements for Portugal - Citizenship By Descent

Check if you qualify based on your family history

Direct Ancestral Connection

2nd Generation Limit: Claims are generally limited to a parent or grandparent; great-grandparents are not usually included unless exceptional circumstances apply.

Documentation

General: Applicants must provide comprehensive documentation proving their lineage to a Portuguese citizen+This typically involves proving that at least one ancestor was a Portuguese citizen+Specific Documents: Birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates (if applicable)+All foreign documents must be translated into Portuguese by a certified translator+Documents, particularly those issued outside Portugal, may need to be legalized according to Portuguese legal requirements and apostilled+Additional Proof of Lineage: In cases where standard records are unavailable, other documentation such as baptismal records, census records, military records, or immigration records may be accepted, but they must be officially substantiated.

Unbroken Chain of Citizenship

Citizenship Continuity: The ancestor must have maintained Portuguese citizenship until the birth of the next generation+Renouncement Rules: If the ancestor renounced their Portuguese citizenship before the birth of the next descendant, it could break the chain of eligibility for citizenship+Naturalization Impact: If the ancestor naturalized in another country before the birth of the next generation, this could affect eligibility depending on specific laws.

Legal Compliance

Criminal Record: A clean criminal record is generally required, particularly if the applicant intends to reside in Portugal or obtain a Portuguese passport+Oath of Allegiance: Applicants are usually required to take an oath of allegiance or pledge loyalty to Portugal as part of the citizenship process+Language Proficiency: Portugal usually require applicants to take a language test to prove minimum proficiency in Portuguese language

REQUIREMENTS

Requirements for Citizenship by Descent in Portugal

To apply for Portuguese citizenship by descent, you must meet the following requirements:

  • Prove Portuguese ancestry through a parent or grandparent
  • Demonstrate that your Portuguese ancestor has not lost their citizenship
  • Provide necessary documentation to prove family ties and Portuguese ancestry
  • Submit a complete application with all required documents (all non-Portuguese documents must be translated to Portuguese and apostilled or legalized)
  • Demonstrate sufficient knowledge of the Portuguese language
  • No criminal record for certain crimes or involvement in terrorist activities

PROCESS

Citizenship by Descent Process

#1

Initial Assessment

• Complete mobility match survey

• Upload GEDCOM files

• Verify ancestral eligibility

• Review program requirements

#2

Selection Phase

• View initial results

• Filter based on preferences

• Assess documentation requirements

• Choose target country

#3

Application Preparation

• Gather vital records

• Obtain apostilles

• Complete translations

• Prepare application forms

#4

Submission

• Schedule consular interview

• Submit petition

• Pay application fees

• Provide biometrics if required

#5

Monitoring & Approval

• Track processing time

• Respond to any queries

• Receive citizenship confirmation

• Collect passport/documents

Start now by taking our free assessment

START ASSESSMENT

PROCESS

Timeline for Portugal - Citizenship By Descent

DOCUMENTS

Documents Needed for Portugal - Citizenship By Descent

Important Notes
• All documents must be original or certified copies
• Non-English documents require certified translations
• Documents must be apostilled where applicable
Personal Identification Documents
Core identity documents required from the applicantis is some text inside of a div block.

Valid passport (original and copies)+National ID card (if applicable)+Passport-sized photographs (2-4)

Documentos del Registro Civil
Birth, marriage, and death certificates from applicant and ancestors

Birth certificate of the applicant (apostilled and translated)+Marriage Certificate (if applicable)

Proof of Residence Documents
Evidence of current residence status

Proof of current address (utility bill, lease agreement, etc.) required

Criminal Clearance Documents
Background check documentation

Criminal record extract from your country of residence+FBI Identity History Summary (apostilled): Required if the applicant is from the U.S+State Police Clearance (apostilled): Required from every state or country the applicant has lived in since age 16+Portuguese Criminal Records Check: Required if the applicant has resided in Portugal.

Financial Documents
Proof of payment and financial requirements

Not applicable

DOCUMENTS

Costs Associated with Portugal - Citizenship By Descent

Pre-Application Costs
Essential document preparation and verification costs

Birth certificates from government archives; Marriage certificates for family dependencies; Police clearance records from current and past residences

Certified translations into official language(s); Apostille certification; Government-issued document legalization

Diploma and transcript verification; Professional certification authentication; Credential evaluation services

Government Application Fees
Official fees charged by government authorities

Initial application submission fee; Processing and handling charges; Administrative review fees

$175

Fingerprint collection fee; Digital photograph requirements; Biometric data processing

Required medical examinations; Vaccination verification; Health certificate processing

Post-Submission Costs
Costs after submitting your application

Document verification fees; Background check processing; Application status updates

Consulate visit expenses; Interview travel costs; Temporary accommodation (if required)

Language proficiency testing; Skills assessment fees; Additional document requests

Professional Services
Optional external support services

Immigration lawyer consultation; Document review services; Legal representation fees

Tax planning consultation; Asset transfer advisory; Investment planning services

Relocation services; Property search assistance; Settlement support services

Post-Acceptance Costs
Costs after approval

Residency card processing; Passport issuance fees; Registration certificates

Oath ceremony fees; Registration charges; Local authority fees

Renewal fees; Status maintenance costs; Annual reporting fees

Rankings

GlobalPassport™ Mobility Asset Index

40

Clasificación general

Coste

Based on application fee

Requisitos de residencia

Based on residency requirements

Duración de los privilegios de residencia

Based on programs’s term

Processing Speed

Based on estimated processing time

Requisitos

Based on entry requirements

Estabilidad del programa

Based on years of activity

Time to Permanent Residency

Based on permanent residency timeline

Rankings

Global Rankings/ Comparisions

Safety

Portugal

7

Coste de la vida

Portugal

50

Quality of Life

Portugal

19

Healthcare Quality

Portugal

29

Internet Speed

Portugal

24

Human Freedom

Portugal

23

IMMIGRATION PROGRAMS

Other Immigration Programs in Portugal

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