Portuguese Citizenship: general information, conditions for acquiring the status of a citizen.
General information
Obtaining Portuguese citizenship by foreigners includes several ways, depending on the personal circumstances of the candidate. Here are the main options and requirements:
Citizenship through naturalization
- Duration of residence: Must have lived in Portugal for at least five years.
– Knowledge of the Portuguese language: It is necessary to prove knowledge of the Portuguese language at the A2 level.
- Absence of criminal proceedings: Availability of a certificate of absence of a criminal record.
– Application process: The application can be submitted through the registration and notary institutions, the Support Center for the Integration of Migrants (CNAIM) in Lisbon and Porto, as well as through Portuguese consulates or embassies.
Citizenship through marriage
– Duration of marriage: Minimum of three years of marriage or cohabitation with a Portuguese citizen.
– Other requirements: There is no need to prove residence in Portugal, but a connection to the Portuguese community must be confirmed.
Golden visa
– Investments: Making investments in the Portuguese economy (for example, through qualified investment funds or scientific research contributions) with a minimum amount of €250,000. (works on the insular part of Portugal)
– Duration of residence: Minimum residence in Portugal of seven days per year for five years.
– Application: After five years of residence, it is possible to apply for permanent residence or citizenship.
Obtaining Portuguese citizenship upon birth of a child
If your child was born in Portugal and received Portuguese citizenship at birth, there is an option for parents to apply for citizenship after 5 years of residence in the country.
It is important that this period starts counting not from the moment of obtaining a residence permit, but from the date of the actual start of residence in Portugal.
Detailed information about this process can be found at Article 6, Clause 8 of the Law on Portuguese Citizenship.
Filing an application for citizenship usually requires the following documents:
passport, birth certificate, certificate of knowledge of the Portuguese language at level A2, residence permit, criminal record (certificate of no criminal record) and proof of legal residence in Portugal for five years.
Important aspects:
- Dual citizenship: Portugal allows dual citizenship, so you can become a Portuguese citizen without giving up your current citizenship. If you are a citizen of Ukraine, when you acquire Portuguese citizenship, you remain a citizen of Ukraine, and if you want to renounce Ukrainian citizenship, you need to go through a special procedure.
Application fee: The cost of applying for citizenship through naturalization is approximately €175 to €200.
Please note that specific requirements and the application process may change, so it is recommended that you check the official Portuguese government websites for up-to-date information or seek advice from a legal professional.
For more detailed information on obtaining citizenship in Portugal, you can visit the sources:
