Practice Area · 03

Portuguese citizenship, secured the right way.

Naturalisation, ancestry, marriage or birth: we assess your eligibility under the new 2026 Nationality Law, build the strongest route for your case and handle every step until your Portuguese passport.

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4Routes to citizenship

7 to 10 yrsResidence for naturalisation

DualCitizenship permitted

Law update · May 2026

A new Nationality Law is in force since 19 May 2026. Residence requirements changed and applications filed before that date follow the previous rules. Check how it affects your case →

Eligibility

Four routes, one destination.

Portuguese citizenship can be acquired through different legal paths. Each has its own requirements, and choosing the right one from the start saves years of process.

Updated 2026Route 01

Naturalisation by residence

For legal residents of Portugal, including Golden Visa, D7 and work permit holders. Under the 2026 law, the qualifying period is counted from the issuance of your first residence permit.

7 years of legal residence for EU & CPLP nationals · 10 years for all other nationalities

Route 02

Citizenship by descent

For children and grandchildren of Portuguese citizens, with no residence requirement. Great‑grandchildren may now qualify after five years of legal residence with a proven connection to Portugal.

No residence required for children & grandchildren of Portuguese citizens

Route 03

Marriage or de facto union

For spouses and recognised de facto partners of Portuguese citizens. The union must be legally established, and a genuine connection to the Portuguese community must be demonstrated.

3+ years of marriage or recognised de facto union

Updated 2026Route 04

Children born in Portugal

Children born in Portugal to foreign parents may acquire citizenship at birth, provided at least one parent meets the minimum period of legal residence at the time of birth.

5 years of legal residence completed by one parent at the time of birth

What you will need

The requirements, without surprises.

Beyond the qualifying period of each route, every naturalisation applicant must meet a set of legal and integration requirements.

A2 Portuguese language

Proof of basic proficiency in Portuguese through an accredited certificate (CIPLE) or recognised course.

Civic knowledge

Introduced in 2026: knowledge of Portuguese culture, history and civic rights, plus a formal commitment to democratic principles.

Clean criminal record

Certificates from Portugal and every country of previous residence. Sentences of three years or more disqualify the application.

Proof of legal residence

Valid residence permits covering the full qualifying period, counted from the issuance of the first permit.

Civil documentation

Birth certificates and civil records, apostilled and translated by certified translators where required.

The right timing

Applications are assessed under the law in force at filing. Knowing when to file is part of the strategy.

How we work

From assessment to passport.

Eligibility assessment

We review your history and documents and confirm which route applies, with an answer within 48 hours.

Route strategy

We define the strongest legal path, the timing of filing and a complete document plan for your case.

Documentation

We coordinate certificates, apostilles and certified translations across every relevant jurisdiction.

Application & follow‑up

We file with the IRN, respond to every request and monitor your process until the final decision.

Citizenship

Registration as a Portuguese citizen, followed by your Citizen Card and Portuguese passport.

Common questions

Answers, before you ask.

Does Portugal allow dual citizenship?

Yes. Portugal permits dual citizenship, so you can acquire Portuguese nationality without renouncing your current one, provided your home country also allows it.

What changed with the 2026 Nationality Law?

The qualifying residence period for naturalisation increased from five years to seven (EU and CPLP nationals) or ten years (all other nationalities), counted from the issuance of the first residence permit. New integration requirements were also introduced, including a civic knowledge assessment.

I applied before 19 May 2026. Do the new rules affect me?

No. Applications filed before the new law entered into force continue to be assessed under the previous rules, including the five‑year residence requirement. We monitor pending cases to ensure the transitional regime is correctly applied.

When does my residence period start counting?

Under the 2026 law, the qualifying period is counted from the date your first residence permit was issued, not from the date you applied for it. This changes the planning for many applicants, especially those affected by administrative delays.

Do I need to speak Portuguese?

Naturalisation applicants must demonstrate A2-level Portuguese, a basic conversational standard, through an accredited certificate or course. Applicants from Portuguese‑speaking countries are generally exempt.

Can my children acquire citizenship with me?

In most cases, yes. Minor children of naturalised citizens can acquire Portuguese nationality, and children born in Portugal may qualify at birth depending on their parents' residence history. We assess the family as a whole and plan the sequence of applications accordingly.

Related services

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