Portuguese citizenship

Portuguese citizenship opens the door to the whole of the European Union (EU) and the European Economic Area (EEA), and to freedom of movement, residence and work in more than 27 EU member states. The Portuguese passport is regularly among the strongest passports in the world, allowing visa-free entry or visa on arrival to more than 180 countries and territories.

With the citizenship law undergoing major changes since the end of 2025, this article provides a full overview of the routes to Portuguese citizenship, the specific conditions and the points foreign investors need to note.

The routes to Portuguese citizenship

The Portuguese Nationality Law (Lei da Nacionalidade, Law no. 37/81) sets out several routes by which an individual may become a citizen of the country. Each route has its own conditions and process, suited to different people. Below are the most common methods.

Naturalisation through lawful residence

This is the route used by most foreign nationals, including those holding a residence permit through programmes such as thePortugal Golden Visa, visa D7(for those with passive income) or thevisa D8(for remote workers). Under the law in force (as at April 2026), the basic requirements comprise lawful residence in Portugal for at least 5 years, Portuguese language ability of at least A2, a clean criminal record (no conviction carrying 3 years’ imprisonment or more) and proof of a genuine connection with the national community.

However, this route is undergoing considerable change. The Portuguese Parliament passed amendments in October 2025, raising the residence requirement from 5 years to 10 years for foreign nationals generally, and to 7 years for EU citizens and citizens of the Portuguese-speaking countries (CPLP). The details of these changes are analysed later in this article.

Citizenship by descent

The citizenship by descent route (jus sanguinis) applies to those with a Portuguese father or mother at the time of birth. In this case, the child is automatically recognised as a Portuguese citizen, wherever they were born. In addition, the grandchildren of Portuguese citizens may also apply for citizenship where they can prove an effective connection with the national community, for instance by speaking Portuguese or visiting the country regularly.

Under the amendments proposed in 2025, the right to apply for citizenship by descent may be extended to great-grandchildren (the 4th generation), but with a requirement to prove a genuine connection with Portugal. This is a direction intended to maintain the connection with the large Portuguese community worldwide, particularly in Brazil, the United States, Canada and Africa.

Citizenship through marriage or a lawful civil partnership

Foreign nationals married to or in a lawful civil partnership with a Portuguese citizen for at least 3 years may apply for citizenship. The requirements comprise a legally recognised marriage or partnership, a clean criminal record and proof of a genuine connection with the Portuguese national community.

Note that this route does not require the applicant to be resident in Portugal, but the citizenship authority may require evidence of a genuine relationship (not a sham marriage) through an interview or a file review.

Citizenship by place of birth (jus soli)

Children born in Portugal to foreign parents may obtain citizenship where at least 1 of the 2 parents was lawfully resident in Portugal at the time of birth. Under the law in force, the requirement is that the father or mother must have at least 1 year of lawful residence before the child is born.

Under the amendments passed by Parliament (but not yet in force as at April 2026), this requirement will be raised to 3 years’ residence for parents who are CPLP citizens, and 4 years for citizens of other countries.

Citizenship through adoption

Children under 18 lawfully adopted by a Portuguese citizen are automatically granted Portuguese citizenship. This is a relatively simple route, with no residence period or language test required.

The general conditions for naturalisation in Portugal

Whatever the route, most Portuguese citizenship applications must meet certain basic conditions.

On language, applicants must prove Portuguese language ability of at least A2 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). This requirement applies to most forms of naturalisation, except for children below a certain age and those of Portuguese descent.

On criminal record, applicants must have no conviction carrying a sentence of 3 years’ imprisonment or more under Portuguese law. The clean criminal record requirement applies both in the country of origin and in Portugal.

On connection with the community, the citizenship authority assesses the applicant’s degree of integration into Portuguese society, including language ability, actual time resident, participation in social activities and similar factors.

Portugal permits dual nationality, meaning those naturalising need not renounce their existing citizenship. Likewise, Portuguese citizens may take on another country’s citizenship without losing their Portuguese citizenship. This is a considerable advantage over some other European countries that require the old citizenship to be renounced on naturalisation.

Changes to Portuguese citizenship law 2025–2026

Portuguese citizenship law is undergoing its greatest reform in decades. Below is a timeline of the main events.

On 23/06/2025, the Portuguese Government tabled a bill amending the Nationality Law, proposing to raise the residence requirement for naturalisation from 5 years to 10 years (foreign nationals generally) and 7 years (EU and CPLP citizens). The bill also introduced new requirements on cultural and civic knowledge, and proposed a mechanism for revoking citizenship from naturalised citizens who commit serious offences.

On 28/10/2025, Parliament passed the amending bill. On 13/11/2025, the Socialist Party (PS) asked the Constitutional Court to review its constitutionality. On 15/12/2025, the Constitutional Court declared 4 provisions unconstitutional, comprising the automatic bar on citizenship based on the length of a criminal sentence (too rigid), the vague concept of “manifest fraud”, the provision revoking citizenship on the basis of “rejection of the national community” (unclear), and the rule applying the new requirements retrospectively to applications awaiting decision.

The President then vetoed the law and returned it to Parliament for amendment. On 01/04/2026, Parliament voted again on the amended version and passed it by a two-thirds majority (152 in favour, 64 against). As at April 2026, the amending law is on the President’s desk, awaiting signature into law, veto, or return to the Constitutional Court.

An important point to stress: at the time of writing, the law in force with its 5-year residence requirement still applies. The changes have not formally taken legal effect. The Constitutional Court has also clearly affirmed that the new requirements cannot be applied retrospectively to applications filed under the old law.

The effect on Golden Visa investors

For investors who have taken part or are taking part in thePortugal Golden Visaprogramme, the change in citizenship law has specific effects to note.

On residence rights, the Golden Visa programme is a residence programme, not a citizenship programme. Investors’ residence rights are not affected by the changes to citizenship law. Investors still have the right to live, work and access public services in Portugal and to travel freely within the Schengen area.

On permanent residence, after 5 years of lawful residence, Golden Visa investors may still apply for Permanent Residency. The permanent residence card is valid for 5 years, is renewable, and requires Portuguese language ability at A2. This is an important stepping stone while awaiting the citizenship route.

On the citizenship timeline, where the new law takes effect, the wait for naturalisation will rise from 5 years to 10 years (or 7 years for EU/CPLP citizens). Investors need to weigh the time factor carefully when assessing thePortugal residenceprogramme against the alternatives in Europe.

Investors who have completed 5 years of residence and filed a citizenship application before the new law takes effect are expected to be dealt with under the old law, based on the Constitutional Court’s ruling on the principle of non-retrospectivity.

The benefits of holding Portuguese citizenship

Becoming a Portuguese citizen brings many important benefits, particularly given that Portugal is an EU member.

Portuguese citizens have the right to live, work and do business in any EU member state without needing a work permit or residence permit. The Portuguese passport allows visa-free entry or visa on arrival to more than 180 countries, including the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia and the whole Schengen area.

Citizens have full access tothe Portuguese health systemand the state education system, including reduced university fees for EU citizens. The right to vote and to stand in national and local elections is also guaranteed.

Portugal permits dual nationality, so new citizens need not renounce their original citizenship. Portuguese citizenship may also be passed to future generations, creating a lasting migration asset for the family. In addition, Portuguese citizens enjoy consular protection from any embassy or consulate of an EU member state anywhere in the world.

The Portuguese citizenship application process

The process for obtaining citizenship through naturalisation in Portugal comprises the following main steps.

The first step is gathering and preparing the documents. Applicants need to prepare a birth certificate (notarised and translated into Portuguese), criminal record certificates from the country of origin and from Portugal, an A2 Portuguese language certificate, evidence of lawful residence in Portugal for the required period, and valid identity documents.

The 2nd step is filing the application with the Civil Registry (Conservatória dos Registos Centrais) or through the online portal. The application fee is around EUR 250.

The 3rd step is the assessment stage. The competent authority verifies all the conditions, including criminal record checks through the intelligence and security services. Processing usually takes from 12 to 24 months, but may take longer depending on the backlog.

The final step is receiving the decision. Where approved, the applicant is registered as a Portuguese citizen and may proceed to obtain a passport.

A comparison with the other European citizenship routes

With Portugal tightening its naturalisation requirements, investors may wish to compare the other options in Europe.

Malta residence by investmentoffers a special citizenship by investment programme (MEIN), allowing citizenship after 12–36 months of residence, but requiring a considerably higher investment.The Greece Golden Visaallows residence through property investment, but the route to Greek citizenship requires 7 years of actual residence and acitizenship testin Greek.Turkish citizenship by investmentallows citizenship quickly within 3–6 months through a property investment of at least USD 400,000, but the Turkish passport is weaker than an EU passport.

Each programme has its own advantages and drawbacks. The choice depends on each investor’s personal objectives, investment budget, time requirements and international travel needs.

Frequently asked questions about Portuguese citizenship