Portugal Citizenship: How to become a Portuguese citizen in 2026

Children and grandchildren of Portuguese citizens, as well as foreigners who have lived in Portugal for 5 years and have learned Portuguese, can obtain citizenship. The jus sanguinis law applies here: a child born in Portugal to foreign parents who have lived in the country for at least one year will automatically acquire Portuguese nationality. Portuguese citizenship is also available through marriage. There are no residency requirements, but the marriage must last at least 3 years.

In 2026, Portugal offers one of the simplest and most accessible citizenship procedures in the EU. However, the government has adopted amendments that will radically change the situation. For example, the period of residence for naturalization will increase to 10 years. Read on for an overview of the current rules for obtaining Portuguese citizenship and the latest changes that may complicate the path to a Portuguese passport.

Changes in Portuguese legislation in 2024-2026

In 2024, the Portuguese government adopted the Tenth Amendment to the Citizenship Law. The main innovations are:

• A minimum of three years of residence — consecutive or at intervals — for Sephardic Jews who wish to obtain a Portuguese passport, plus verification of their origin by a special commission.
• Consideration of an application for citizenship by naturalization, marriage, or adoption may be suspended if the person is subject to restrictive measures introduced by the UN or EU.
• Calculation of the period of residence in Portugal now begins from the moment of application for a residence permit and not from the date of its issuance.
• When applying for citizenship, biometric data can be collected, including fingerprints, photos, and height measurements.

In October 2025, parliamentarians voted for significant changes to the Portuguese Citizenship Law. The main innovations that will take effect after the president signs the bill are as follows:

• The residency period for naturalization is increasing. Currently, it is 5 years, but it will be 7 years for those from Portuguese-speaking countries and 10 years for everyone else.
• New tests are being introduced. In addition to the language test, there will be an exam on knowledge of the country’s culture, rights and obligations of Portuguese citizens, and the political system.
• Requirements for issuing citizenship to children born in Portugal are tightening. Currently, a child is eligible for a passport if their parents have lived in the country for one year. With the new amendments, this will increase to 5 years.
• Naturalization will be denied for any prison sentence. Currently, sentences of 3 years or more are considered.
• It will be necessary to prove «capacity for economic subsistence», meaning a sufficient level of income to live in Portugal;
• Citizenship can be revoked within 10 years of naturalization if a person commits a serious crime for which they are imprisoned for 5 or more years and holds a passport from another country.
• A 10-year citizenship consolidation period for children is being introduced, compared to the current 1,5 years. During this period, their status may be revoked if it is determined that it was granted through government error.
• Even the great-grandchildren of Portuguese parents will be able to obtain citizenship if they know the language and culture of Portugal and do not pose a threat to national security.
• The list of requirements for obtaining a passport through marriage is expanding. It will be necessary to provide a certificate of no criminal record and undergo background checks for threats to national security.
• A person will not be able to reapply for citizenship if they previously attempted to obtain it dishonestly, for example, by using forged documents.
• The right of Sephardic Jews to obtain citizenship through a special procedure is being abolished.

The vote on the 2025 bill has been delayed due to opposition concerns that the provisions are anti-immigration and represent a «civilizational regression». Currently, Portugal is one of the EU countries with the shortest naturalization process. It is also one of the few European countries where children of foreign nationals can acquire citizenship at birth.

Who is eligible to apply for Portugal citizenship?

Children of Portuguese citizens are eligible for citizenship, as are foreigners who meet certain conditions. This right is granted to:

• Second-degree descendants of citizens, i.e., grandchildren.
• Children of foreigners born in Portugal, provided their parents have lived there for at least one year.
• Immigrants who have legally resided in Portugal for at least 5 years (naturalization procedure)—a number of additional requirements must be met.
• Spouses of Portuguese nationals can apply for a passport after 3 years of marriage without needing to live in Portugal.
• Citizens of East Timor can obtain citizenship based on a baptismal certificate or if their parents registered their birth in Portugal.

Portugal citizenship by naturalization

Portuguese citizenship by naturalization is the process by which foreigners get Portuguese citizenship and a Portuguese passport. Currently, applicants must have legally resided in Portugal for at least 5 years; this may soon increase to 10 years. Only adults can apply. Applicants must not have a criminal record for at least 3 years and must not be considered a danger to society.

A key requirement for obtaining Portuguese citizenship is proficiency in Portuguese. Applicants must pass the A2 test, which corresponds to a basic conversational level.

The process of obtaining Portuguese citizenship by naturalization involves several mandatory steps:

1. Obtain a long-term visa.
   This process takes place at the Portuguese consulate and takes 2 months. The fee is EUR 110. To submit your application, you must provide your passport, 2 photos, proof of insurance, a criminal record certificate, and proof of financial security. You will also need documents confirming your reason for moving to Portugal. A long-term visa is not always necessary. Investors and technology company employees may enter with a Schengen visa or visa-free and immediately apply for a residence permit upon arrival.
2. Relocate and apply for a residence permit.
   Within 4 months of arrival, you must apply to the Agency for Integration, Immigration, and Asylum (AIMA) for a residence permit. The residence card will be issued within 90 days.
3. Obtain permanent residence.
   A permanent residence permit is issued after 5 years of residency. Currently, it is not mandatory, but it is advisable to obtain permanent residency if the residency requirement increases. You will need to demonstrate Portuguese language proficiency at level A2 or higher.
4. Apply for naturalization.
   You can submit the application online through a lawyer, in person at any civil registry office nationwide, at the National Center for Supporting the Integration of Migrants (CNAIM), or at the consulate.
5. Obtain citizenship and a passport.
   Once approved, you must apply for a Portuguese passport. To do so, visit the Institute of Registries and Notaries counter. You can schedule a Portuguese passport application through the Siga app if needed.

Under the 2025 amendments, naturalization will also require you to sign a solemn declaration affirming the principles of the Portuguese Republic.

Grounds for obtaining a residence permit leading to Portuguese nationality

To legally reside in Portugal for 5 or 10 years, you must obtain one of the existing residence permits. However, not all options may be available to you. For example, if you don’t have relatives in Portugal, you won’t be able to obtain a residence permit through family reunification. Residence permits for student mobility and internships are usually issued for a limited period and are not always renewable.

You cannot obtain a Portuguese residence permit through the purchase of real estate; the program ceased operations in 2023. However, you can obtain a residence permit through other investment options.

The most accessible and popular ways to obtain a residence permit that allows you to get a Portuguese passport are:

A residence permit in Portugal is usually extended for 3 years at a time. However, this period may be shorter if your work contract or academic program is ending. Permanent residence is permanent, but the resident card must be renewed every 5 years.

Portugal citizenship through marriage

You can obtain a Portuguese passport after 3 years of cohabitation with a Portuguese national. This relationship can also be a common-law marriage without registration.

The foreign spouse must prove their connection to Portuguese society. This can be demonstrated through employment in Portugal, payment of taxes and utilities, or the birth of children in Portugal. Such a relationship will be recognized automatically in one of the following situations:

• the marriage or de facto relationship has lasted at least 6 years;
• you have been married for at least 5 years and speak Portuguese;
• you have been married or in a relationship for at least 5 years and are from a Portuguese-speaking country;
• you have children together who are Portuguese citizens;
• you have legally resided in Portugal for at least 5 years;
• you have lived in Portugal for at least 3 years, are studying here, or can prove proficiency in Portuguese.

Portuguese citizenship by marriage will be denied if the foreign spouse holds a government position in another country (except for purely technical duties) or has completed non-compulsory military service abroad.

Citizenship by descent and birth

Children born to Portuguese parents automatically receive Portuguese citizenship. If a child is born abroad, their parents must register them with the Portuguese consulate. If they do not, the child may later apply for Portugal citizenship themselves.

Portuguese citizenship is also granted to children adopted by Portuguese parents. Children born on Portuguese soil, or in Portugal, who cannot acquire citizenship in another country, are also recognized as Portuguese citizens.

A child of a naturalizing foreigner can also become a Portuguese citizen if they are a minor or legally incompetent. To do so, the parent must submit the corresponding application.

Currently, citizenship by descent is available to the grandchildren of Portuguese parents. However, if the president signs a new law, this right will be extended to great-grandchildren as well. In any case, your ancestors must have retained their citizenship, and you must demonstrate your proficiency in Portuguese. Applicants must have no criminal record and pose no threat to society.

Citizens of East Timor are entitled to Portuguese citizenship by descent. They can apply at the consulate in Dili or in Portugal. If a person was born in Portugal after May 19, 2002, and their parents registered the birth at a civil registry office, they are granted citizenship based on a Portuguese birth certificate.

Additionally, citizenship is granted by birth if the child was born in Portugal and:

• At least one parent was also born in Portugal and resided there at the time of the child’s birth.
• The foreign parents must have resided in Portugal for at least one year at the time of birth. With the recent amendments, this period has increased to 5 years.

If the parents do not apply for citizenship immediately after birth, they can apply later. Children under 18 are eligible for a Portuguese passport if they have attended a Portuguese school for at least 1 year or if their parents have lived in Portugal for at least 5 years. Adults must have lived in Portugal for at least 5 years and learned the language.

Currently, Sephardi Jews can apply for a Portuguese passport. To qualify, they must have lived in Portugal for 3 years, have a Portuguese surname, speak the local language, and prove their Portuguese origin. They must also meet at least one of the following conditions:

• Obtain a residence permit for at least one year.
• Inherit real estate or assets in the country.
• Regularly visit the republic throughout their life, thereby proving their long-term ties to it.

However, the 2025 amendments completely eliminated this right for Sephardi Jews. Parliamentarians believe the current law has led to numerous abuses and distortions of the program’s requirements.

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Language proficiency test

Everyone except citizens of Portuguese-speaking countries must take a Portuguese language proficiency test to become naturalized.

The required level is A2, which means the person can communicate fluently in everyday situations.

Certificates of language proficiency can be obtained through:

• a certificate or diploma from an educational institution where Portuguese was studied as a subject for at least 2 years;
• a certificate of completion of a language exam at a public school in Portugal or a specialized center abroad accredited by the Camões Institute;
• a certificate of completion of the International Portuguese as a Foreign Language Examination (CIPLE), recognized by the Portuguese Ministry of Education and Science;
• a certificate of completion of a Portuguese language course at a public educational center or an IEFP employment center.

Often, foreigners take a Portuguese language test and receive a CIPLE certificate. This test can be taken at the University of Lisbon, for example. Registration is done directly on the university website. The exam is held in May, July, and November. The test takes place in one day and consists of 3 parts:

• Reading comprehension and written expression — 75 minutes.
• Comprehension of speech structure — 30 minutes.
• Speaking: 15 minutes.

The exam fee is EUR 85.

Documents for Portuguese citizenship application

The list of documents required to apply for Portuguese citizenship by naturalization includes:

• an application with full personal information, signed upon submission;
• proof of 5 years of residence, such as information on payment of social contributions, taxes, attendance at an educational institution, and address;
• birth certificate;
• a certificate, diploma, or other document confirming proficiency in Portuguese at a level of at least A2;
• a certificate of no criminal record issued by the country where you have lived since the age of 16.

A Portuguese spouse will need a marriage certificate. If you were married in Portugal, you don’t need to provide one; instead, provide the registry office address and the ceremony date. If you are not legally married, you must obtain a court order certifying that you have lived together de facto for three years, as well as a declaration from a Portuguese citizen attesting to your cohabitation. Additional documents:

• birth certificates for you and your Portuguese spouse;
• proof of citizenship;
• a certificate of good conduct;
• proof of non-technical government employment abroad, if applicable;
• military ID or other document certifying completion of non-compulsory service, if applicable;
• proof of connection to the Portuguese community, such as an employment contract or birth certificates for children.

Sephardi Jews require a certificate issued by the Jewish Community of Portugal. This document must confirm your connection to the community based on criteria such as your surname, language, and origin. You will also need documents demonstrating regular visits to Portugal or the presence of inherited assets there.

To obtain citizenship by descent, grandchildren of Portuguese parents must provide the birth certificates of their ancestors.

Documents issued in a foreign language must be translated into Portuguese. Copies and translations must be notarized.

How much does it cost to acquire Portuguese citizenship?

The cost varies depending on the method chosen. You may not have to pay an application fee, take a language exam, or have your documents translated.

Basic costs for obtaining Portuguese citizenship:

You should also consider the cost of obtaining residency in Portugal. The application fee for a temporary residence permit ranges from EUR 127.20 to EUR 806.80, depending on the basis. The temporary residence permit card itself costs between EUR 109.30 and EUR 8,060.20.

For example, an investor applicant will pay approximately EUR 806.80 for the permit and EUR 8,060.20 for the card. Digital nomads and financially independent individuals will pay an application fee of approximately EUR 127.00 and a document fee of EUR 109.30. To get a more accurate estimate of the costs of immigrating to Portugal, consult immigration specialists.

The cost of obtaining a permanent residence permit in Portugal is EUR 127.20. The issuance of a permanent residence card costs EUR 336.10.

Processing times

According to the Citizenship Law, naturalization applications in Portugal can be processed within 90 days. You can track your application status online through the Ministry of Justice’s service. To do so, enter your personal access code, which was issued when you submitted your application (or sent by email if you registered online). If you have lost your code, you can request a new one in person at the citizenship office or by phone.

The average processing time for naturalization applications in Portugal is approximately 2 years. For citizenship by marriage or descent, this period may extend beyond 3 years.

Common reasons for refusal and how to avoid them

Portuguese citizenship may be denied if a person fails to meet all legal requirements or does not provide all required documents. In this case, a notice outlining the reasons for the refusal is sent. The most common reasons include:

• Criminal record. If a foreigner has a criminal record, they must provide as complete a picture as possible, including the reasons for the conviction, the length of the prison sentence, and any acquittals. Currently, sentences of up to 3 years’ imprisonment are permitted, so the commission must clearly see that the sentence was not longer.
• Incomplete file. It is crucial to provide all required legal documents. However, it is also advisable to include additional certificates that clarify your situation. For example, during naturalization, you can provide a certificate from your employer confirming that you worked in Portugal throughout your time there and paid taxes and social security contributions.
• Employment in government positions. This is grounds for denying citizenship by marriage. Therefore, even if you hold such a position, you must confirm that your duties are purely technical. It is important to obtain a certificate from your employer confirming your job responsibilities.
• Optional military service. This is another reason for denying citizenship through marriage. If you served in the military, it is important to confirm that it was compulsory conscription.
• Lack of ties to society. In many citizenship cases, especially those by descent or marriage, it is important to prove a genuine connection to Portugal. The easiest ways to prove this are employment in the country or knowledge of Portuguese.

Application errors, such as misspelling names or dates, often result in refusal. Translation errors can also cause problems.

If your application is rejected, you may file an appeal. However, you must have all the documents proving your right to citizenship. Under recent amendments, if authorities suspect you provided false information, you may be denied the right to reapply.

Dual citizenship in Portugal

Portugal allows dual citizenship. Therefore, you can keep your current passport after becoming a citizen.

However, Portugal does not have dual-citizenship agreements with any other country. This means that while in Portugal, you will only be considered a Portuguese citizen. Your rights as a citizen of another country will not be recognized. You must always use your Portuguese passport to enter Portugal.

Benefits of a Portuguese passport

Portugal is popular among foreigners seeking an EU passport. From 2020 to 2026, more than 1.5 million citizenship applications were submitted, approximately 27% of which were through naturalization. This high demand is largely due to the strength of the Portuguese passport and the opportunities it offers:

• Unlimited residence in Portugal.
• Consular protection abroad.
• Immunity from deportation.
• Visa-free travel to 174 countries, including the entire EU, the US, and Canada.
• The right to live, work, and do business in any EU country without restrictions.
• Access to education at all European universities at the same prices as citizens.
• The ability to pass citizenship on to children, grandchildren, and, if amendments are adopted, great-grandchildren;
• The right to vote in Portugal and hold public office.
• Simplified access to banking services in Portugal and the EU; fewer documents are required, and favorable loans for housing or business are easier to obtain.

The easiest path to becoming a citizen of Portugal today is a residence permit by investment. However, to choose the most profitable investment option and arrange secure fund transfers, it’s best to consult experienced lawyers.