Portugal brings in a lot of digital nomads and migrants due to a lower cost of living, especially in housing, along with affordable, high-quality healthcare through public and private options.
Citizens get free education and access to good public services. Finding jobs is easier, as no work permits are needed in Portugal or the EU. With its strong job market, good quality of life, and many opportunities, Portugal is a great place to live and build a future.
You can get Portuguese citizenship by marriage, descent, ancestry, naturalization, or investment through the Golden Visa program.
In this article, we’ll explain the steps and requirements for getting Portuguese citizenship so you understand the process and feel confident if moving forward.
How to Apply For Portuguese Citizenship
You can apply for Portuguese nationality online, in person, or by mail.
For online applications, a lawyer or solicitor must apply NacionalidadeOnline and authenticate themselves with their digital certificate.
If applying in person, you can register:
- At the service desk of the Institute of Registries and Notaries at the National Center for Support for the Integration of Migrants (CNAIM) in Lisbon or Porto
- In the Registered Spaces of Lisbon, on Avenida Fontes Pereira de Melo, on the Justice Campus, and in Benfica
- In the Central Registries of Lisbon
- At a Nationality Counter
- At the Citizen’s Shop in Odivelas
- In the Civil Registry Offices
- At the Portuguese Consulate in the area of residence
You can also apply by mail. Complete the form based on your situation and send it to the Central Registry Office at Rua Rodrigo da Fonseca, 202, 1099-033 Lisbon.
1. Portuguese Citizenship Through Marriage
Eligibility
If you are married to or in a relationship with a Portuguese citizen for over three years, you can apply for Portuguese nationality.
Depending on your situation, you may need to provide documents proving your connection to the Portuguese community.
To be eligible for Portuguese citizenship, you must not have been sentenced to imprisonment for a crime punishable in Portugal, hold public office in another country, have performed non-compulsory military service in another country, or have been involved in terrorism-related activities.
Application process
When applying, you’ll need to present several documents. If you are married, provide the marriage certificate. If in a relationship, you’ll need a court certificate confirming you’ve lived together for over three years, as well as a recent statement from the Portuguese citizen confirming the relationship.
Additionally, you will need to submit a declaration for the acquisition of Portuguese nationality, a legalized birth certificate (including a certified translation if not in Portuguese), and the irth certificate of your Portuguese spouse or partner (if applicable).
Important notes
For those applying, an effective connection to the Portuguese community may be recognized automatically if you meet specific criteria, like being married for at least six years or if you have legal residence in Portugal for at least five years.
Remember, if you get divorced, your citizenship status may change depending on how long you’ve been married. Also, check if your home country allows dual citizenship before applying.
2. Residency-by-Investment Program
Eligibility
Portugal offers a path to residency (citizenship after 5 years) for foreign investors through its Golden Visa program.
This allows non-EU nationals to gain residency by making a qualifying investment, eventually leading to citizenship after five years.
The Golden Visa is a popular choice because it requires minimal time in Portugal—only about seven days per year, and you can apply online.
After five years of maintaining residency and meeting basic requirements, investors can apply for Portuguese citizenship. They must pass a basic Portuguese language test or complete online classes to show integration into the country.
Application process
Applicants must invest in approved areas. Options include:
- Venture capital: Investing at least €500,000 in qualifying venture capital funds (with no real estate investments or ties)
- Job opportunities: Creating at least 10 jobs
- Research activities: Investing equal to or more than €500,000 in research activities conducted by public or private scientific research institutions
- Culture: Capital transfers of €250,000 or more in supporting artistic production, recovery, or maintenance of national cultural heritage
- Commercial: Investing €500,000 or more for forming a commercial company based in the national territory with the creation of five permanent jobs
Important notes
The Golden Visa remains one of the easiest ways for investors to obtain EU citizenship without relocating full-time.
It offers visa-free access to the Schengen Zone, the ability to include family members in the application, and the long-term benefits of Portuguese citizenship.
Portugal offers a targeted tax exemption regime with specific eligibility criteria, called IFICI.
Looking for a fund to invest in? The Unbound Fund meets the eligibility criteria for Golden Visa investors and invests in the Web3 sector.
How Bitizenship Can Help You Get Portuguese Citizenship Through the Golden Visa Program
We at Bitizenship can assist you in navigating the process and make obtaining Portuguese citizenship easier.
Bitizenship helps you understand the specific requirements of the Golden Visa program and ensures you meet them, increasing your chances of success.
We offer expert advice and guidance on each step of the application process, making it clear what you need to do.
1. We take administrative tasks off your plate
We are a pioneering advisory firm specializing in residencies and citizenship by investment programs. Our main goal is to assist clients on administrative issues regarding the Golden Visa program & the Unbound Fund.
The application process for the Portugal Golden Visa can be complex, but Bitizenship simplifies it.
Why us?
We possess extensive knowledge of residency and citizenship programs with an exclusive focus on Portugal and offer personalized solutions based on your needs.
We managed more than 100 golden visas.
3. Portuguese Citizenship Through Descent
Eligibility
If you have Portuguese ancestry, you can apply for Portuguese citizenship through descent. This means you can become a citizen if your parents, grandparents, or even great-grandparents were Portuguese, even if you were born outside of Portugal.
Application process
To apply for citizenship through descent, you need to prove that one of your ancestors (parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents) was Portuguese. You’ll need official documents, such as your birth certificate. If the certificate is foreign, legalization must be done through an apostille or visa from the Portuguese consulate.
If the certificate is not in Portuguese, you must also bring the certificate translated into Portuguese and certified.
Important notes
A declaration for the acquisition of Portuguese nationality must also be signed before submission. Adults must sign it in person at the Registry office or, if applying by mail, before an authorized official. Minors need their legal representatives, usually their parents, to sign. If the parents cannot sign in person, they can appoint a proxy.
4. Portuguese Citizenship Through Ancestry
Eligibility
Many people around the world have ancestral ties to Portugal, and some may qualify for Portuguese citizenship even if their parents or grandparents were not Portuguese. Citizenship through ancestry is based on historical or cultural connections rather than direct descent. It applies to people with Sephardic Jewish heritage, colonial ties, or other historical links to Portugal.
While citizenship by descent is usually a straightforward process with clear documentation requirements, citizenship by ancestry often requires more in-depth genealogical research and historical proof.
Portugal offers citizenship to descendants of Sephardic Jews who were expelled in the 15th and 16th centuries. To qualify, applicants must prove Sephardic ancestry through family records, surnames, or certificates from Jewish communities.
Application process
In the past, proof of ancestry was enough, but recent changes require applicants to show a connection to Portugal, such as owning property, visiting regularly, or speaking Portuguese. While these new rules make the process stricter, those with strong historical ties can still apply.
Applying for citizenship through ancestry requires gathering birth certificates, family records, and other proof of Portuguese heritage.
You’ll need a written request in Portuguese stating a description of the facts that make you belong to a Sephardic community of Portuguese origin, for example, your family’s surnames, the language spoken by the family, a relative who was a member of the Sephardic community of Portuguese origin, etc.
Important notes
Portugal’s colonial history means that people from former territories may be eligible for citizenship. This includes those with ancestors from Goa, Daman, and Diu in India, Macau in China, and parts of Africa, such as Angola and Mozambique.
People born in these territories before Portuguese rule ended may qualify, along with their descendants in some cases. Proof of birth and family history linking them to Portugal is required, and additional evidence of connection may sometimes be needed.
Some individuals may qualify for Portuguese citizenship due to specific historical events.
This includes descendants of Portuguese nationals who lost their citizenship because of political changes, colonial independence, or old nationality laws.
Applications are processed by the Portuguese authorities and can take time, sometimes months or even years.
Since citizenship through ancestry is more complex than applying through descent, careful research and strong documentation are most important.
5. Portuguese Citizenship Through Naturalization
Eligibility
To qualify for Portuguese citizenship by naturalization, you need to have lived in Portugal for at least five years legally. This includes time spent as a legal resident, student, or worker. Then, you must show basic knowledge of the Portuguese language (A2 level).
Lastly, you must have no criminal record and be well-integrated into Portuguese society.
Application process
To apply for Portuguese nationality, you must submit a written request to the Minister of Justice in Portuguese. This request should include:
- Your full name
- Date of birth, gender
- Marital status
- Nationality
- Parents’ names
- Profession
- Address
- Details of where you have lived after the age of 16
- A legal representative or attorney’s name and address
- Residence permit
- Passport or other identification document
The request must be signed in person at a Registry office. If applying by mail, the signature must be verified by an authorized official and sent to a Nationality Counter or the Central Registry Office in Lisbon.
Important notes
Applicants must show proof of Portuguese language skills, such as a certificate from a Portuguese school, a language test result, or a Portuguese as a Foreign Language certificate. If you are from a Portuguese-speaking country, you do not need to provide proof. If you cannot read or write, the language test will be adapted.
A criminal record certificate is also required from your birth country, nationality, and any place you have lived since age 16. If the document is not in Portuguese, it must be translated and certified.
Conclusion
Portuguese citizenship offers great benefits, including the freedom to live, work, and travel across the EU. Whether through marriage, descent, ancestry, naturalization, or investment, each path provides access to a high quality of life in Portugal.
Bitizenship simplifies the process of obtaining Portuguese citizenship through the Golden Visa program.
We help you with administrative tasks related to the Unbound Fund (a closed-end private equity fund in Portugal), which is one of the best options for Golden visa investors.
FAQs
You can get Portuguese citizenship through marriage, by descent, by having Portuguese ancestors, by living in Portugal for five years, or through the Golden Visa program.
It takes five years of legal residency to apply for citizenship. If you’re married to a Portuguese citizen, you can apply after three years of marriage and living together in Portugal.
Getting permanent residency in Portugal is not too difficult if you’ve lived there legally for five years and meet basic requirements like language skills and good behavior.
Yes, Portugal allows dual citizenship. You can keep your original nationality while becoming a Portuguese citizen.