Everything you should know about obtaining Portuguese Nationality
How to get Portuguese Citizenship. For those seeking a second citizenship, Portuguese citizenship is an excellent choice. One of the strongest passports in the world is the Portuguese one. Getting Portuguese nationality is a simple process that takes a few months to finish. Though there are other choices available for those who do not fit into either group, ancestry or marriage are the most prevalent ways to get Portuguese citizenship. Before applying for citizenship, you should go over all of your alternatives if you want to become a citizen of Portugal. Portuguese Nationality requirements. Cost of citizenship in Portugal. Apply for Portuguese citizenship
Different Ways to Obtain Portuguese Nationality
All applications for citizenship and residency are handled by the Foreigners and Borders Service, or SEF. Depending on the path chosen, obtaining Nationality approval can take a long time. Waiting two or three years to become a citizen by descent is not unusual. The types of Portuguese Nationalities are are follows;
Portuguese Citizenship by Birth
If at least one parent is a Portuguese citizen at the time of the kid’s birth, the child will be granted Portuguese citizenship from birth. As long as the parent is a registered citizen, the place of birth is meaningless. With few circumstances, Portuguese citizenship is based on the Jus Sanguinis.
Portugal has certain jus soli provisions as well. Children born in Portugal can become citizens if their non-Portuguese parents have been lawfully residing in the country for at least a year, according to recent amendments to the Portuguese nationality.
Citizenship From Being a Descendent of a Portuguese Citizen
Even though a Portuguese parent grants citizenship automatically, there are some situations in which a grandparent can help obtain a Portuguese passport.
The individual does not immediately inherit the Portuguese citizenship of their grandparents. Alternatively, the person could be able to petition for citizenship, which would involve completing an application and fulfilling certain requirements (such as having Portuguese ties and language proficiency).
Portuguese Citizenship by Marriage
Portugal is among the few nations that allow citizenship to be transferred by marriage. It is possible to apply for Portuguese citizenship and obtain a Portugal passport, however, it is not instantaneous. If the applicant has been married to or in a life partnership with a Portuguese citizen for at least five years, and if you possess adequate understanding of the Portuguese language. If you live in Portugal for at least six months a year, you can apply for Portuguese citizenship after three years.
Naturalization as a Portuguese Citizen
Naturalisation as Portuguese citizens is the most popular choice among our clients. Portugal offers a number of residency options that lead to citizenship. Being a lawful resident of Portugal for a minimum of five years is one of the usual prerequisites for naturalisation and citizenship.
You have to spend a minimum of 183 days a year in Portugal physically during these five years. The Portuguese Golden Visa and High Qualified Activities (HQA) residency programmes are an exception.
There is a language requirement, and you will have to provide evidence of your social integration into Portuguese society through links. Investments, social or cultural integration, or other methods can create connections.
Portuguese Citizenship by Investment
The most common path to Portuguese citizenship is Portuguese Citizenship by Investment. Known by another name, The Golden Visa Programme, it takes only a few months to process and is the quickest path to Portuguese citizenship.
One of the following investments must be made in order to be eligible for citizenship by investment:
Invest in a property of at least €500,000; if you want to buy in a low-density area, the minimum investment is €400,000.
Invest a minimum of €350,000 in an Investment Fund that meets the requirements.
Make a deposit of at least €1 million into your new Portuguese bank account.
Take on at least ten Portuguese nationals as employees.
Provide a minimum of €350,000 in capital to support scientific or technological research.
Contribute at least €250,000 to the arts or the reconstruction of the nation’s cultural heritage.
To apply for Portuguese citizenship by investment, you must submit the following supporting documentation:
a valid passport
Two passport-sized pictures
Evidence of a spotless criminal history
Portuguese Nationality requirements
By Naturalisation Route
This route allows you to become a Portuguese citizen if:
- You must have lived in Portugal for at least five years
- You have a good knowledge of the Portuguese language
- You have no prior criminal convictions
To acquire Portuguese citizenship by naturalisation, you must submit the following documents:
- Proof of residence in Portugal
- Birth certificate
- Marriage certificate (if applicable)
- Criminal record
- Proof of proficiency in the Portuguese language
By Marriage
The first stage in this procedure is to apply to the Portuguese Consulate, where you will have to provide documentation of your legal marriage. To accomplish that, send in the aforementioned supporting documentation:
- a certified copy of the applicant’s birth certificate, validated by a Portuguese consulate or by an Apostille, a document that certifies the authenticity of the signature.
- a complete copy of the birth certificate of the Portuguese spouse, – issued no more than six months ago, attesting to the fact that your marriage has been officially registered.
- A duplicate of the spouse’s passport and identity card.
- certificate of criminal history from the authorities of the applicant’s birth country and any other countries they have resided in after turning 16 years old.
- FBI criminal history verified using Apostille.
- A handwritten letter explaining the motive for the nationality request, along with proof of knowledge of the Portuguese language
By Birth
Visit the closest consulate or embassy to apply for Portuguese citizenship by birth, and make sure you provide the necessary paperwork:
- The child’s birth certificate, which includes all relevant details about the birth.
- The identity card and passport of one or both Portuguese parents.
- A birth certificate that has been approved by the government of the nation where the non-Portuguese parent was born
If you are older than 18, you must provide the following paperwork and make an in-person appearance at the closest Portuguese Consulate:
- Photocopies and signed identification documents (passports, driver’s licences, etc.)
- A marriage licence, if one is required
- A certified copy of your long-form birth certificate, validated by the Portuguese Consulate in Lisbon.
Benefits of Portuguese Citizenship
You will be able to live, work, and study anywhere in Europe once you have Portugal citizenship. Any other member state of the European Union will now be eligible for many of the perks associated with residency. Among these advantages are:
How to Apply for Portuguese Citizenship?
There are a few procedures one must complete to become a Portuguese citizen. It would be best if you first made contact with the Portuguese Embassy in your nation of origin. Following that, proceed with the following actions:
- Complete the application.
- Send in the application fees together with any required documentation.
- For processing, submit your application to the Portuguese Consulate with all necessary supporting papers.
Following your submission of your application, the Portuguese Immigration Service will review it and determine your eligibility for citizenship depending on how well-integrated you are into Portuguese society.
The Portuguese Immigration Service will inform you and explain if you are not eligible for citizenship.
The Portuguese Immigration Service will notify you that your application has been accepted and issue an official letter of congratulations if you qualify for citizenship. After that, you will have to show up for an interview at a later time with a representative of the Portuguese Immigration Service.
Following the interview, you will receive official notification that your application was accepted and that you are now a Portuguese citizen.
Cost of citizenship in Portugal
The application fee for naturalisation into Portuguese citizenship is €250. Applying for citizenship through marriage costs €250, which needs to be paid in full upfront. The cost of obtaining citizenship by birth is $225.00, which should be sent to the Portuguese Consulate in the form of a money order. The cost of obtaining nationality via descent is €175.00 (payable to the Instituto dos Registos e do Notariado, I.P. in Portuguese bank checks).
Where to get Portuguese Nationality
The National Support Centre for the Integration of Migrants (CNAIM) in Lisbon or Oporto, at the counter of the Institute of Registration and Notary Affairs, is where the application for Portuguese nationality must be made in person. However, all of the procedures will cost you money and years. In the end, you can’t even be certain that you’ll be granted citizenship. Alternatively, we may assist you in obtaining or purchasing a Portuguese nationality at a very reasonable cost and without any hassle. So, get Portuguese Nationality requirements to buy this document.
