Portugal Citizenship in 2025: A Comprehensive Guide

Portugal citizenship can be obtained in a variety of ways: through marriage with a national, by birth, by descent, through recognition of specific merits, and through naturalisation. The latter is available 5 years after the date of receipt of the Portugal residence permit, while in the case of marriage, a local passport can be issued after a 3-year period.

The first and key step involves applying for a residence permit, which can be granted through Work/Study Visa, Passive Income Visa (D7), Digital Nomad Visa (D8), family reunification, or Golden Visa. Each of these routes provides a clear path to eventual citizenship, depending on individual circumstances.

Benefits of Portuguese Citizenship

A Portuguese passport offers numerous advantages, including:

• Business Opportunities in a Country with a Stable Economy: Portugal provides a solid economic environment with tax incentives for local entrepreneurs. For instance, VAT rates are lower on some islands: 5% in Madeira and 4% in the Azores.
• Safe and Comfortable Environment: Portugal has one of the lowest crime rates in the EU. It ranks 24th out of 169 countries in the Social Progress Imperative index, which considers aspects such as safety, environmental quality, social services, and cultural standards.
• Visa-Free Travel: A Portuguese passport gives access to 170+ countries, including those in the Schengen and EU. Also it simplifies the entry into the U.S., Japan, Australia, and Canada.
• Access to European Education: Citizens can enroll their children in public schools and kindergartens for free. University tuition fees are also more affordable for Portuguese nationals. Four universities in Portugal are ranked among the world’s top 500 institutions.
• High-Quality Healthcare: Portugal’s medical system follows evidence-based practices. Citizens receive health insurance, free treatment in public hospitals, and up to 90% reimbursement for prescription medications.

How to Obtain a Portuguese Passport

There are multiple ways to acquire Portuguese citizenship, including: marriage, birth, descent of roots, repatriation, and naturalisation.

Marriage to a Portuguese Citizen: A spouse of a Portuguese national can apply for citizenship after three years of marriage, even without living in Portugal. For instance, a Swedish woman can marry a Portuguese man, live with him abroad for three years, and then apply for citizenship. In that case, they have to provide proof that the marriage is legitimate and show a connection to the Portuguese community—such as working for a local company, studying at a university, or owning property in Portugal.

Birth: Portugal does not grant nationality by birthright. A child born in Portugal to foreign parents does not automatically become a citizen. However, if one parent has been a legal resident for at least a year, the child is eligible for citizenship. Additionally, children under 18 adopted by Portuguese citizens can obtain nationality.

Descent: If at least one parent, grandparent, or great-grandparent is a Portuguese citizen, an applicant may claim nationality by providing documents verifying the relationship, such as a birth certificate translated into Portuguese.

Repatriation: Direct descendants of Sephardic Jews expelled from Portugal in the 15th century may apply for citizenship. Many of these descendants live in Israel, France, the U.S., Canada, Turkey, Argentina, Russia, Italy, Germany, Ukraine, Australia, Spain, Brazil, and Belarus. Applicants have to provide evidence of their ancestry through an accredited Sephardic community, which may include marriage or death certificates, wills, family tree records, or synagogue documents.

Naturalization: This option is available to any foreigner who has obtained a Portuguese residence permit and has lived in the country for at least 5 years. As of 2024, this five-year period is counted from the date of applying for a residence permit. Most foreigners obtain residency in Portugal for work at a local company, study, family reunification, financial independence, digital nomad status, or through a Golden Visa programme. Naturalization is one of the simplest and most accessible paths to citizenship.

Types of Portuguese Residency Permits for Naturalization

A Schengen or National Visa grants entry to Portugal, while a residence permit allows you to live, work, run a business, and eventually apply for citizenship. A D visa is a long-term national visa issued for a period of four months to two years. It serves as a pathway to obtaining a Portuguese residence permit and, later, citizenship. Essentially, a residence permit is the key to Portuguese citizenship through naturalization.

The most popular residency options for immigration and citizenship:

How Second Citizenship in Portugal Works

Portugal permits people to have a second citizenship, but applicants must verify if their home country allows it. It’s important to note that second and dual citizenship are not the same. Second citizenship means holding passports from multiple countries, but each country only recognizes the individual as its own citizen, without acknowledging their rights and obligations in other states.

Why the Golden Visa is the Best Option for Portuguese Citizenship

To obtain a Portuguese residence permit, an individual has to stay in the country for at least 183 days per year. The exception is the Golden Visa.

Under this programme, applicants are only required to stay in Portugal for 14 days every two years. However, legal experts recommend spending more time in the country to strengthen ties with the state. Even with these requirements, Portugal’s conditions are still more flexible compared to Cyprus, Greece, and other countries.

To apply for Portuguese citizenship, an individual has to pass a Portuguese language exam (A2 level) and demonstrate integration into the local community. The exam is conducted at an accredited CAPLE center, testing basic communication and reading skills for everyday interactions. Successful applicants receive a lifetime certificate.

To obtain a Portuguese passport, these documents are required:

1. International passport.
2. Birth certificate, translated into Portuguese and legalized with an apostille or visa.
3. Application letter addressed to the Minister of Justice (in Portuguese).
4. CAPLE certificate confirming Portuguese language proficiency (A2 level or higher).
5. Certificate of no criminal record.
6. Receipt of payment of the application fee (€ 250).

All documents should be submitted in person by the applicant.

If you are uncertain about moving to Portugal but want to enjoy citizenship benefits, a Golden Visa is an excellent choice. To obtain residency through investment, contact Astons. Our experts will assist you with the legal, financial, and administrative matters for the process to go as smoothly as possible.

FAQ

What are the main benefits of Portuguese citizenship?

Among the main ones are:

• Business opportunities in the county with a stable economy.
• Living in a safe and comfortable country.
• Visa-free travel to 172 countries.
• Ability to buy and rent real estate.
• Access to European education.
• High-quality healthcare.

What are the requirements for obtaining Portuguese citizenship through investment?

You can’t directly obtain citizenship through investment, but you can acquire a residence permit (Golden Visa), which leads to citizenship after five years.

How long does it take to become a Portuguese citizen?

• Through naturalization: 5 years from residency application.
• Through marriage: 3 years.

Can I obtain Portuguese citizenship through ancestry?

Yes. If your parent, grandparent, or great-grandparent was a Portuguese citizen, you can apply for a Portuguese passport. Additionally, descendants of Sephardic Jews expelled from Portugal in the 15th century can apply under the repatriation program.

What documents are needed for Portuguese citizenship?

To apply for a Portuguese passport, the applicant must personally submit the following documents:

1. International passport.
2. Birth certificate (translated into Portuguese, with an apostille or visa).
3. Application letter addressed to the Minister of Justice (in Portuguese).
4. CIPLE Certificate proving Portuguese proficiency of at least A2 level.
5. A certificate of no criminal record.
6. Receipt of the €250 citizenship application fee payment.

Is dual citizenship allowed in Portugal?

Yes, Portugal allows people to have second citizenship, but you have to check if it’s permitted in their home country. For example, Kazakhstan citizens need to renounce their original passport. Only residents of Brazil can obtain dual citizenship of Portugal. There is a difference between second and dual citizenship.

Which countries can I visit visa-free with a Portuguese passport?

You can travel to 172 countries, including those in the Schengen and EU. Also it simplifies the entry into the U.S., Japan, Australia, and Canada.