Nationality of Portugal: all obtaining pathways
Portugal has nine nationality pathways: naturalization requires seven years of legal residence for CPLP and EU nationals and ten for the rest, while marriage or a de facto union opens it at three years. The original-nationality pathway covers filiation, ancestry through grandparents and birth in Portuguese territory.
1Original nationality by descent (filiation)
Original nationality by descent (filiation)
Requirements
- Children of Portuguese mothers or fathers, born in Portuguese territory (art. 1.1.a of the Nationality Law, consolidated version by Lei Orgánica n.º 1/2026)
- Children of a Portuguese parent born abroad if the parent is in the service of the Portuguese state (art. 1.1.b)
- Children of a Portuguese parent born abroad with the birth registered in the Portuguese civil registry or who declare that they want to be Portuguese (art. 1.1.c)
Documentation
- Birth certificate of the applicant
- Identity document of the Portuguese parent
- Birth registered in the Portuguese civil registry (where applicable)
2Original nationality by ancestry (grandparents)
Original nationality by ancestry (grandparents)
Requirements
- Individuals with at least one second-degree ancestor of original Portuguese nationality in the direct line who has not lost that nationality
- Declare that they want to be Portuguese
- Hold effective links with the national community (art. 1.1.d)
Documentation
- Birth certificates proving the line of ancestry
- Document proving the ancestor's original Portuguese nationality
- Declaration of intent
3Original nationality by birth in Portuguese territory
Original nationality by birth in Portuguese territory
Requirements
- Born in Portuguese territory to foreign parents, if at least one parent was also born in Portugal and resides here — even without a residence permit — at the time of birth (art. 1.1.e)
- Born in Portuguese territory to foreign parents not in the service of the state of their nationality (art. 1.1.f)
Documentation
- Birth certificate
- Identity documents of the parents
- Proof of the parent's birth/residence in Portugal
4Naturalization by residence (nationals of Portuguese-speaking countries and the EU)
Naturalization by residence (nationals of Portuguese-speaking countries and the EU)
Requirements
- Be of legal age under Portuguese law
- Legally reside in Portugal for at least SEVEN (7) years (nationals of countries with Portuguese as official language and EU member states) (art. 6.1.b)
- Prove, by test or certificate, sufficient command of Portuguese language and culture, history and national symbols
- Know the fundamental rights and duties inherent to nationality and the political organization of the state
- Solemn declaration of adherence to the fundamental principles of the democratic rule of law
- No conviction to an effective prison sentence over 3 years for terrorism, violent or especially violent crime, highly organized crime, crimes against state security or aiding illegal immigration
- Not constituting a danger to national security or defense
- Not being subject to UN or EU restrictive measures
- Capacity to support oneself
Documentation
- Application (in person or online) to the IRN/AIMA
- Legal residence certificate
- Portuguese language-and-culture certificate or proof
- Criminal record certificate from the country of origin
- Document proving means of subsistence
5Naturalization by residence (other nationals)
Naturalization by residence (other nationals)
Requirements
- Be of legal age
- Legally reside in Portugal for at least TEN (10) years (nationals of other countries) (art. 6.1.b)
- The remaining requirements of art. 6.1: language-and-culture test, knowledge of rights and constitutional organization, declaration of adherence, no sentences over 3 years for the listed crimes, no danger to security, no UN/EU restrictive measures, and means of subsistence
- Law 37/81 (consolidated, with Organic Law 1/2026 in force since 19-05-2026), art. 6: 7 years (CPLP/EU) or 10 years (others) of legal residence; Portuguese language and culture; own subsistence.
Documentation
- Application to the IRN/AIMA
- Legal residence certificate of 10 years
- Portuguese language-and-culture certificate
- Criminal record certificates
- Proof of means of subsistence
6Acquisition by marriage or de facto union
Acquisition by marriage or de facto union
Requirements
- Married for more than THREE (3) years to a Portuguese citizen; declaration during the subsistence of the marriage (art. 3.1)
- De facto union with a Portuguese national for more than 3 years: after a judicial recognition decision by the competent court (art. 3.3)
- Annulment of the marriage does not harm the spouse who contracted it in good faith (art. 3.2)
- Conditions of art. 3.4: the foreigner must not be convicted of terrorism/violent crime and must not pose a threat to state security
- Law 37/81, art. 3: a foreigner married for more than 3 years to a Portuguese national may acquire nationality by declaration while the marriage lasts (analogy with registered de facto union).
Documentation
- Application with a marriage certificate registered in the Portuguese civil registry (or a judicial decision on the de facto union)
- Identity documents of both spouses
- Criminal record certificate
7Naturalization of minors born in Portuguese territory
Naturalization of minors born in Portuguese territory
Requirements
- One parent legally residing in Portugal for at least FIVE (5) years (art. 6.2.a)
- The minor is registered and regularly attends compulsory schooling, where applicable (art. 6.2.b)
- If past the age of criminal responsibility, meeting requirements e) to h) of art. 6.1 (adherence, record, security, restrictive measures)
Documentation
- Application representing the minor
- Proof of the parent's legal residence (5 years)
- Schooling certificate of the minor
8Naturalization of stateless persons
Naturalization of stateless persons
Requirements
- Be stateless and legally reside in Portugal for at least FOUR (4) years (art. 6.3)
- Meet the remaining cumulative requirements of art. 6.1 (capacity, language/culture, rights, declaration, record, security, means)
Documentation
- Statelessness-status certificate
- Residence certificate (4 years)
- Proof of language/culture
- Criminal record certificates
9Adoption by a Portuguese national
Adoption by a Portuguese national
Requirements
- Anyone fully adopted by a Portuguese citizen is considered Portuguese of origin (justica.gov.pt official guide, profile 'Foi adotado por portugueses' / art. 1.2 of the Nationality Law)
Documentation
- Full-adoption ruling or court order
- Identity documents of the Portuguese adopter
- Civil registry registration
Frequently asked questions about the nationality of Portugal
How many years of residence does Portugal require to naturalize?
According to the main pathway of Portugal (Naturalization by residence (nationals of Portuguese-speaking countries and the EU)), the term is 7 years of legal residence (nationals of Portuguese-speaking countries and EU citizens) — Law 37/81, art. 6.1(b). The complete details of requirements and exceptions appear in the fact sheet.
Can the nationality of Portugal be obtained by marriage?
Yes, through the Acquisition by marriage or de facto union pathway (3 years of marriage or de facto union with a Portuguese national, by declaration (Law 37/81, art. 3)). The complete requirements appear in the fact sheet of that pathway.
What documentation does naturalization in Portugal require?
The Naturalization by residence pathway requires: Application (in person or online) to the IRN/AIMA; Legal residence certificate; Portuguese language-and-culture certificate or proof; Criminal record certificate from the country of origin; Document proving means of subsistence.
What pathways exist to obtain the nationality of Portugal?
Portugal provides 9 pathways: Original nationality by descent, Original nationality by ancestry, Original nationality by birth in Portuguese territory, Naturalization by residence, Naturalization by residence, Acquisition by marriage or de facto union, Naturalization of minors born in Portuguese territory, Naturalization of stateless persons, Adoption by a Portuguese national.
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