{"id":4938,"date":"2026-08-24T19:29:14","date_gmt":"2026-08-24T18:29:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/araujoassociados.pt\/?p=4938"},"modified":"2026-08-24T23:27:17","modified_gmt":"2026-08-24T22:27:17","slug":"portuguese-citizenship","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/araujoassociados.pt\/en\/immigration-nationality\/portuguese-citizenship\/","title":{"rendered":"Portuguese Nationality &#8211; Routes of Acquisition and Requirements"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"4938\" class=\"elementor elementor-4938 elementor-4937\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-57b69d0c elementor-section-height-min-height elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-items-middle\" data-id=\"57b69d0c\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-background-overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-5ab6832\" data-id=\"5ab6832\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1810697c animated-slow elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1810697c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInUp&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Portuguese Nationality &#8211; Routes of Acquisition and Requirements<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4db43bba animated-slow elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"4db43bba\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInUp&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7d5a301c elementor-widget elementor-widget-post-info\" data-id=\"7d5a301c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"post-info.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-inline-items elementor-icon-list-items elementor-post-info\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item elementor-repeater-item-883573c elementor-inline-item\" itemprop=\"datePublished\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text elementor-post-info__item elementor-post-info__item--type-date\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<time>August 24, 2026<\/time>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item elementor-repeater-item-cd52568 elementor-inline-item\" itemprop=\"about\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text elementor-post-info__item elementor-post-info__item--type-terms\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-post-info__terms-list\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-post-info__terms-list-item\">Immigration and Nationality<\/span>\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1d55d0d4 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"1d55d0d4\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4a53698a animated-slow elementor-widget__width-inherit elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4a53698a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInUp&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The acquisition of Portuguese nationality is governed by Law No. 37\/81, of 3 October (the Nationality Law), which underwent a significant reform through Organic Law No. 1\/2026, of 18 May, in force since 19 May 2026. This reform changed the residence periods required for naturalisation, strengthened integration requirements and removed some specific routes to nationality previously provided for. This article falls within the <a href=\"\/en\/immigration-nationality\/\">Immigration and Nationality<\/a> practice area at Ara\u00fajo &amp; Associados and reflects the regime in force at the date of publication.<\/p>\n<h2>Naturalisation based on length of legal residence<\/h2>\n<p>The naturalisation route based on residence requires the applicant to have legally resided in Portugal for a minimum period, after which the application may be submitted to the Institute of Registries and Notarial Affairs (IRN). Under the reform in force since May 2026, the general period of legal residence required for most applicants increased from five to ten years. For nationals of member states of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP), the period was set at seven years. The reform also strengthened the integration requirements, notably regarding knowledge of the Portuguese language, culture, history and political system, the practical application of which depends, in part, on regulations to be approved by the Government within ninety days of the law&#8217;s publication.<\/p>\n<h2>Nationality by descent<\/h2>\n<p>The route of acquiring nationality by descent remains in force following the 2026 reform. Children and grandchildren of a Portuguese citizen retain the right to apply for Portuguese nationality, regardless of whether they have resided in Portugal. The reform expressly extended this route to great-grandchildren of an original Portuguese citizen, subject to proof of an effective connection to the national community, the specific assessment criteria for which also depend on regulations yet to be published.<\/p>\n<h2>Nationality by marriage or civil partnership<\/h2>\n<p>The spouse or civil partner of a Portuguese citizen may apply for Portuguese nationality by declaration, provided the marital relationship or civil partnership has lasted at least three years, without prejudice to the other applicable legal requirements, including a clean criminal record and the absence of a conviction for an offence punishable by a prison sentence of three years or more.<\/p>\n<h2>Routes removed by the 2026 reform<\/h2>\n<p>Organic Law No. 1\/2026 removed certain specific routes to nationality that had previously featured in the Nationality Law, including the special regime applicable to descendants of Sephardic Jews expelled from Portugal, and the regime granting nationality to children born in Portugal to parents in an irregular situation in the country. Anyone with proceedings under way based on these routes, or who wishes to assess their situation under the previous regime, should seek up-to-date legal advice, as this is a matter of the application of the law over time.<\/p>\n<h2>Nationality by naturalisation of stateless persons<\/h2>\n<p>The regime maintains a specific route for stateless persons who have legally resided in Portugal for at least four years and satisfy the other legal requirements applicable to naturalisation.<\/p>\n<h2>Nationality and residence visas<\/h2>\n<p>For applicants who do not yet have legal residence in Portugal, the naturalisation route based on residence presupposes the prior obtaining of a residence permit through one of the available legal routes, such as the D7 visa, described in the article <a href=\"\/en\/d7-visa-retirees\/\">D7 Visa for Retirees<\/a>, the Golden Visa, described in the article <a href=\"\/en\/golden-visa-portugal\/\">Golden Visa in Portugal<\/a>, or the D8 visa under the residence route, described in the article <a href=\"\/en\/digital-nomad-visa\/\">D8 Visa for Digital Nomads<\/a>. The period during which a residence permit obtained through these routes is held generally counts towards the period of legal residence required for naturalisation.<\/p>\n<h2>About Ara\u00fajo &amp; Associados<\/h2>\n<p>In operation since 1980, with offices in Porto and Lisbon, Ara\u00fajo &amp; Associados handles nationality proceedings for clients from more than 31 countries, providing legal advice in Portuguese, English, French, German and Spanish.<\/p>\n<h2>Frequently asked questions about Portuguese nationality<\/h2>\n<div class=\"faq-block\">\u00a0<\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-680f3f33 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"680f3f33\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-46c4d841 elementor-widget elementor-widget-eael-adv-accordion\" data-id=\"46c4d841\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"eael-adv-accordion.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t            <div class=\"eael-adv-accordion\" id=\"eael-adv-accordion-46c4d841\" data-scroll-on-click=\"yes\" data-scroll-speed=\"300\" data-custom-id-offset=\"120\" data-accordion-id=\"46c4d841\" data-accordion-type=\"accordion\" data-toogle-speed=\"300\">\n            <div class=\"eael-accordion-list\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"contencioso-arbitragem\" class=\"elementor-tab-title eael-accordion-header\" tabindex=\"0\" data-tab=\"1\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1181\"><h3 class=\"eael-accordion-tab-title\">How long does someone need to have legally resided in Portugal to apply for Portuguese nationality?<\/h3><span class=\"fa-toggle fa-toggle-svg eaa-svg\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"#000000\" width=\"800px\" height=\"800px\" viewBox=\"0 0 256 256\" id=\"Flat\"><path d=\"M128,180a3.98881,3.98881,0,0,1-2.82861-1.17139l-80-80.00024a4.00009,4.00009,0,0,1,5.65722-5.65674L128,170.34326l77.17139-77.17163a4.00009,4.00009,0,0,1,5.65722,5.65674l-80,80.00024A3.98881,3.98881,0,0,1,128,180Z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/div><div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1181\" class=\"eael-accordion-content clearfix\" data-tab=\"1\" aria-labelledby=\"contencioso-arbitragem\"><p>Under the reform in force since May 2026, the general period is ten years of legal residence for most applicants, and seven years for nationals of CPLP member states. This period applies to the naturalisation route based on residence, and is distinct from the requirements applicable to the descent route.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><div class=\"eael-accordion-list\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"direito-imobiliario\" class=\"elementor-tab-title eael-accordion-header\" tabindex=\"0\" data-tab=\"2\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1182\"><h3 class=\"eael-accordion-tab-title\">Does the 2026 reform affect people who already have a nationality application under way?<\/h3><span class=\"fa-toggle fa-toggle-svg eaa-svg\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"#000000\" width=\"800px\" height=\"800px\" viewBox=\"0 0 256 256\" id=\"Flat\"><path d=\"M128,180a3.98881,3.98881,0,0,1-2.82861-1.17139l-80-80.00024a4.00009,4.00009,0,0,1,5.65722-5.65674L128,170.34326l77.17139-77.17163a4.00009,4.00009,0,0,1,5.65722,5.65674l-80,80.00024A3.98881,3.98881,0,0,1,128,180Z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/div><div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1182\" class=\"eael-accordion-content clearfix\" data-tab=\"2\" aria-labelledby=\"direito-imobiliario\"><p>Whether the new law applies to proceedings already pending depends on rules governing the application of the law over time and on regulations yet to be published by the Government. Anyone with proceedings under way should seek up-to-date legal advice to assess their specific situation.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><div class=\"eael-accordion-list\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"imigracao-nacionalidade\" class=\"elementor-tab-title eael-accordion-header\" tabindex=\"0\" data-tab=\"3\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1183\"><h3 class=\"eael-accordion-tab-title\">Can grandchildren of Portuguese citizens still apply for Portuguese nationality?<\/h3><span class=\"fa-toggle fa-toggle-svg eaa-svg\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"#000000\" width=\"800px\" height=\"800px\" viewBox=\"0 0 256 256\" id=\"Flat\"><path d=\"M128,180a3.98881,3.98881,0,0,1-2.82861-1.17139l-80-80.00024a4.00009,4.00009,0,0,1,5.65722-5.65674L128,170.34326l77.17139-77.17163a4.00009,4.00009,0,0,1,5.65722,5.65674l-80,80.00024A3.98881,3.98881,0,0,1,128,180Z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/div><div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1183\" class=\"eael-accordion-content clearfix\" data-tab=\"3\" aria-labelledby=\"imigracao-nacionalidade\"><p>Yes. The route of granting nationality by descent to children and grandchildren of a Portuguese citizen remained in place following the 2026 reform, with no requirement of prior residence in Portugal.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><div class=\"eael-accordion-list\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"direito-desporto\" class=\"elementor-tab-title eael-accordion-header\" tabindex=\"0\" data-tab=\"4\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1184\"><h3 class=\"eael-accordion-tab-title\">Can great-grandchildren of Portuguese citizens apply for Portuguese nationality?<\/h3><span class=\"fa-toggle fa-toggle-svg eaa-svg\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"#000000\" width=\"800px\" height=\"800px\" viewBox=\"0 0 256 256\" id=\"Flat\"><path d=\"M128,180a3.98881,3.98881,0,0,1-2.82861-1.17139l-80-80.00024a4.00009,4.00009,0,0,1,5.65722-5.65674L128,170.34326l77.17139-77.17163a4.00009,4.00009,0,0,1,5.65722,5.65674l-80,80.00024A3.98881,3.98881,0,0,1,128,180Z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/div><div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1184\" class=\"eael-accordion-content clearfix\" data-tab=\"4\" aria-labelledby=\"direito-desporto\"><p>The 2026 reform expressly extended this route to great-grandchildren of an original Portuguese citizen, subject to proof of an effective connection to the national community. The specific criteria for assessing this connection depend on regulations yet to be published by the Government.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><div class=\"eael-accordion-list\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"direito-administrativo-contratacao-publica\" class=\"elementor-tab-title eael-accordion-header\" tabindex=\"0\" data-tab=\"5\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1185\"><h3 class=\"eael-accordion-tab-title\">What happened to the regime for descendants of Sephardic Jews?<\/h3><span class=\"fa-toggle fa-toggle-svg eaa-svg\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"#000000\" width=\"800px\" height=\"800px\" viewBox=\"0 0 256 256\" id=\"Flat\"><path d=\"M128,180a3.98881,3.98881,0,0,1-2.82861-1.17139l-80-80.00024a4.00009,4.00009,0,0,1,5.65722-5.65674L128,170.34326l77.17139-77.17163a4.00009,4.00009,0,0,1,5.65722,5.65674l-80,80.00024A3.98881,3.98881,0,0,1,128,180Z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/div><div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1185\" class=\"eael-accordion-content clearfix\" data-tab=\"5\" aria-labelledby=\"direito-administrativo-contratacao-publica\"><p>This special regime is no longer part of the Nationality Law following the reform in force since May 2026. Anyone with an interest in this matter, particularly if they have proceedings under way at the date of the change, should seek up-to-date legal advice.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><div class=\"eael-accordion-list\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"urbanismo\" class=\"elementor-tab-title eael-accordion-header\" tabindex=\"0\" data-tab=\"6\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1186\"><h3 class=\"eael-accordion-tab-title\">Do you need to know Portuguese to apply for naturalisation?<\/h3><span class=\"fa-toggle fa-toggle-svg eaa-svg\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"#000000\" width=\"800px\" height=\"800px\" viewBox=\"0 0 256 256\" id=\"Flat\"><path d=\"M128,180a3.98881,3.98881,0,0,1-2.82861-1.17139l-80-80.00024a4.00009,4.00009,0,0,1,5.65722-5.65674L128,170.34326l77.17139-77.17163a4.00009,4.00009,0,0,1,5.65722,5.65674l-80,80.00024A3.98881,3.98881,0,0,1,128,180Z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/div><div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1186\" class=\"eael-accordion-content clearfix\" data-tab=\"6\" aria-labelledby=\"urbanismo\"><p>The Nationality Law requires demonstrating sufficient knowledge of the Portuguese language for the purposes of naturalisation based on residence, and the 2026 reform also strengthened the requirement for knowledge of Portuguese culture, history and the political system, the practical application of which depends on regulations yet to be published.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-214c2fd6 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"214c2fd6\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-62ef4dbf animated-slow elementor-widget__width-inherit elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"62ef4dbf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInUp&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>Contact us<\/h2>\n<p>For further information about Portuguese nationality proceedings, or to schedule a legal consultation, you can contact us through our Porto or Lisbon offices, by telephone, e-mail or through the form available on the website. We provide legal advice in Portuguese, English, French, German and Spanish.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-59f557b3 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"59f557b3\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1181f8a7 elementor-mobile-align-left elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"1181f8a7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"#form\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Contact by email<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-28b6684 elementor-mobile-align-left elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"28b6684\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/api.whatsapp.com\/send\/?phone=351938604316&#038;text&#038;type=phone_number&#038;app_absent=0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Contact by WhatsApp<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-367c8445 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"367c8445\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1133e86 elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"1133e86\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\n{\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n  \"@graph\": [\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"WebPage\",\n      \"@id\": \"https:\/\/araujoassociados.pt\/en\/portuguese-citizenship\/#webpage\",\n      \"url\": \"https:\/\/araujoassociados.pt\/en\/portuguese-citizenship\/\",\n      \"name\": \"Portuguese Nationality 2026 | Routes & Requirements\",\n      \"description\": \"Portuguese nationality: naturalisation, descent, marriage and routes removed by the 2026 reform. 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