MORE ABOUT 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.

Portogallo
Mobility Asset Index Score
72.50%
Mobilità Tipo di risorsa
Cittadinanza per discendenza
Official Name
Portuguese Citizenship by Descent
Launched in:
1975
Online Submission:
Residency Privileges
(in months)
Lifetime
Adjudication Time
(in months)
22
Minimum Stay Requirement
(in days)
None
In-Country Presence Requirement
(in months)
None

Panoramica

A Snapshot of Citizenship by Descent in Portugal

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

Requisiti di idoneità

At least one parent or grandparent was a Portuguese citizen

Restrizioni degli antenati di ancoraggio

Must not have lost their Portuguese citizenship

Mesi alla cittadinanza

18-36 months

Durata del visto

Mesi al visto

Requisito della presenza fisica

None

Disponibilità

Difficult

Assegno familiare

Coniuge e figli

Panoramica

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.

Panoramica

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

Guida passo dopo passo

Il nostro team di esperti vi guiderà in ogni fase del processo di candidatura, offrendovi un'assistenza personalizzata e adatta alle vostre esigenze.

Preparazione del documento

Vi aiuteremo a raccogliere e organizzare i documenti necessari per fare domanda.

Presentazione della domanda

Una volta pronti i documenti, vi comunicheremo dove e come presentare la domanda alle autorità competenti.

Domande?

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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How long does the citizenship application process take?

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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

Program Stability

No Physical Presence or In-Country Visit Requirements

Online Submission Allowed

Paesi in cui si viaggia senza visto

158

Passport Validity

5 years

Panoramica

Why 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.

Vantaggi:

  • EU citizenship
  • Visa-free travel to approximately 180 countries
  • Right to live and work in Portugal and other EU countries

Vantaggi:

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

Domande?

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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How long does the citizenship application process take?

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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)

Documenti dei registri vitali
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

Classifica generale

Cost

Based on application fee

Residency Requirements

Based on residency requirements

Residency Privileges Length

Based on programs’s term

Processing Speed

Based on estimated processing time

Requisiti di idoneità

Based on entry requirements

Program Stability

Based on years of activity

Time to Permanent Residency

Based on permanent residency timeline

Rankings

Global Rankings/ Comparisions

Safety

Portogallo

7

Costo della vita

Portogallo

50

Quality of Life

Portogallo

19

Healthcare Quality

Portogallo

29

Internet Speed

Portogallo

24

Human Freedom

Portogallo

23

IMMIGRATION PROGRAMS

Other Immigration Programs in Portugal

Explore alternative pathways to live and work

Discover More About Portugal

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View Country Guide