A Portuguese passport is a document that gives you access to all the privileges of European Union citizenship, including the ability to live, work and do business in EU countries. In addition, the state is popular among immigrants due to quality education and medicine, favorable conditions for investment, high level of security and stable economy.

It is possible to obtain citizenship of Portugal by birth, descent, marriage or naturalization, having lived in the country for 5 years. The descendants of local Sephardic Jews have the opportunity to obtain a passport in a simplified way. The main requirements for applicants for citizenship are absence of criminal record, basic knowledge of the official language of the country. Also, for obtaining a passport of Portugal you need to have your own or rented housing on the territory of the Republic and means for self-sufficiency.

Migration legislation in Portugal

Portugal is experiencing an annual increase in the number of foreigners due to a loyal migration policy, which is focused on attracting qualified professionals, entrepreneurs and investors. In addition, the country implements special programs for the integration of foreigners. The conditions of entry, stay, work and naturalization requirements are regulated by a number of acts, including the laws “On Portuguese Citizenship” and “On Foreigners”.

Who is eligible to apply for Portuguese citizenship?  

A Portuguese passport can be obtained by applicants who are of legal age, speak the official language of the country, have no serious criminal record and do not pose a threat to national security. To obtain citizenship, in most cases you will have to live in the territory of the state for a certain period of time. The following categories of foreigners may apply for a Portuguese passport:

• migrants who have lived in the country for 5 years or more;
• spouses or partners of Portuguese citizens;
• descendants of Sephardic Jews;
• children and grandchildren of Portuguese people;
• persons whose activities are of significant interest to the country, such as athletes, distinguished scientists or cultural figures.

The standard dossier required for Portuguese citizenship includes the following documents:

• a statement signed in the presence of an official;
• birth certificate;
• certificate of passing the Portuguese language test;
• a certificate confirming that you have no criminal record;
• a receipt for the payment of a fee of 250 EUR.

Depending on the grounds, additional information may be required, such as a marriage certificate or an extract from the real estate registry. Documents issued by foreign authorities must be translated into Portuguese and apostilled.

Ways of obtaining Portuguese citizenship  

The most common way to obtain a Portuguese passport is through standard naturalization. In addition, citizenship is available by repatriation to the descendants of Sephardic Jews – the main advantage of this program is the absence of requirements for residence in the country and passing the language test. Portuguese spouses and partners can count on a Portuguese passport after 3 years of marriage or partnership, and there is no need to meet the requirements of standard naturalization.

When choosing an immigration method, it is important to consider the terms, planned expenses and integration requirements. For example, for investment you can only get a residence permit, and you will still have to wait 5 years for a passport, but you only need to stay in the country for 14 days a year to maintain your residency status – this is a significant advantage of the program. And its main disadvantage is the need to make significant financial contributions to the economy of the country.

It is worth taking into account that some methods of obtaining citizenship are not relevant in the Republic. For example, the right of soil “jus soli” does not apply here, as in Brazil or the USA. Even when giving birth on the territory of Portugal, foreign parents cannot automatically issue a Portuguese passport to their child. It is also impossible to buy Portuguese citizenship by investing money in the local economy or owning real estate. Experienced lawyers can help you find the best way to immigrate. Relocation Compass specialists will choose for you a program of obtaining a passport of the EU country in the period from 4 months.

Repatriation – Portuguese citizenship by ancestry

A simplified way of acquiring Portuguese citizenship is available to the descendants of Sephardic Jews. Applicants for repatriation who have reached the age of majority can obtain a national passport of the state without residing on its territory. Among the main requirements is belonging to the Sephardic community, confirmed by ancestry, surname, knowledge of the Ladino language. Also, the applicant must own real estate in Portugal, received by will (mortis causa), or prove regular trips to the country during his life.

Portuguese grandchildren can also apply for a passport in a simplified way through repatriation. To regain citizenship by roots, documentary evidence of family ties up to the second generation is required. Another mandatory requirement is passing a Portuguese language exam.

Investments – simplified naturalization

In order to carry out investment activities in Portugal, it is mandatory to obtain a special residence permit ARI (Autorização de Residência para Investimento). The applicant for a residence permit must fulfill one of the following conditions:

• transfer from 500,000 EUR to finance scientific-research activities;
• create 10 or more jobs;
• purchase shares in Portuguese commercial companies (not related to real estate) for an amount of 500,000 EUR or more;
• invest 250,000 EUR or more in the cultural sector;
• establish a commercial company with headquarters in Portugal, five or more jobs and a capital of at least 500,000 EUR.

The holder of the investor residence permit must stay in Portugal for at least 5 days in the first year and from 14 days in the following years. Another requirement is to save investments and/or jobs for the period of validity of the residence permit. The document is valid for 2 years with the possibility of prolongation an unlimited number of times. After 5 years, the investor has the opportunity to register an application for citizenship.

General naturalization

Foreigners who have legally lived in Portugal for 5 years or more are eligible to apply for a Portuguese passport through naturalization. Applicants must know the official language of the state and have no serious criminal record. Among the key grounds for obtaining a residence permit and subsequently a Portuguese passport through naturalization are:  

• Marriage.
  Portuguese spouses or partners can obtain citizenship through a simplified procedure without the need to reside in the country. The main condition is that the couple must have been in a relationship for at least 3 years. Also, the applicant for citizenship must demonstrate a connection with the Portuguese community, for example, by submitting a tax return, employment contract. This requirement does not apply to parents of children with Portuguese citizenship or those who have been legally residing in the country for 3 years or more.
• Family reunification.
  Portuguese citizens or residents can apply for a residence permit for family members (partners, spouses, children, immediate dependent relatives). The sponsoring applicant must have suitable accommodation and appropriate income, and provide evidence of family ties, absence of legal problems. The permit under the family reunification program is issued for the duration of the residence permit of a Portuguese resident with the right to extend it.
• Education.
  The student residence permit is available to foreigners enrolled in a Portuguese university on a full-time basis. To obtain it, it is necessary to provide parental consent (for minor applicants), a check for the payment of fees and proof of sufficient funds to cover their expenses. The term of validity of the residence permit is from one year. If you want to stay in Portugal after completing your study program, you must apply for a new permit on the basis of employment or business establishment.
• Employment.
  The condition for obtaining a residence permit is the registration of self-employment or the conclusion of an employment contract with a Portuguese employer. The composition of the immigration file will depend on the basis. In some cases, proof of a diploma will be required (for regulated professions). The residence permit will be valid for 2 years with an unlimited possibility of renewal for 3 years if the applicant meets the conditions for granting the initial authorization.
• Entrepreneurial activity.
  StartUP Visa is available to owners of innovative companies certified by the Portuguese Agency for Competitiveness and Innovation (IAPMEI, Agência para a Competitividade e Inovação). The application for a residence permit is made remotely based on the declaration provided by IAPMEI. In addition, a business plan is required, confirming the potential for job creation and achieving a turnover of more than 325,000 EUR in 5 years. The permit is issued for 2 years with the right to renew for further three-year periods.
• Highly qualified professional activity.
  In order to obtain an EU Blue Card or Tech Visa (for certified companies) for 2 years, it is necessary to submit a labor contract guaranteeing a salary of 2,157 EUR per month or more. Also, the applicant for a residence permit must prove the possibility to carry out highly qualified activities by presenting a diploma, service contract, company registration certificate or other documents. The permit can be extended for another 3 years.
• Refugee status.
  Applicants for international protection are granted a Portuguese residence permit valid for 5 years. The residence permit can be renewed for a similar period. Refugees have the option to apply for citizenship when the standard naturalization requirements are met and all costs are covered by the State.

Next, let’s look at the cost and duration of acquiring Portuguese citizenship depending on the method.

In the table on terms and costs of Portuguese citizenship registration the price is indicative, it includes only expenses for payment of administrative fees (residence permit and its extension, permanent residence, citizenship, national documents). Among the additional expenses – apostille and translation of documents (from 15 EUR per unit), taking the exam for the state language proficiency (from 85 EUR). It is also necessary to take into account monthly expenses for living in the country (from 681 EUR per person in 2025), rent (about 744 EUR for a one-room apartment). Investors should also take into account the investment of funds.

Procedure for obtaining Portuguese citizenship  

The path to a Portuguese passport takes from 5 years – it requires thorough preparation, as well as compliance with the conditions of migration legislation. To acquire citizenship by standard naturalization, you need to pass the following stages:

1. Visa issuance.
   To enter Portugal for a period of more than 90 days it is necessary to apply for a visa at the consulate at the place of current residence. You will need an application form, health insurance, passport, 2 photos, proof of sufficient funds and absence of criminal record, check on payment of administrative fee (90 EUR). There may also be a need for additional documents to confirm the purpose of immigration (employment contract, certificate of enrollment in a higher education institution, etc.). The application is considered from 30 to 60 days. The visa is valid for up to one year.
2. Obtaining a residence permit.
   After arriving in the country, you apply for a residence permit at the Agency for Migration, Integration and Asylum (AIMA, Agência para a Integração Migrações e Asilo). The application is submitted online with a fee (from 95 EUR). The documents required are passport, visa, proof of income and residence address in the country, medical policy. In advance it will be necessary to issue taxpayer identification numbers (NIF, Número de Identificação Fiscal) and social insurance numbers (NISS, Número de Identificação da Segurança Social). The residence permit is issued for 2 years.
3. Renewal of the residence permit.
   The residence permit is renewed under the same conditions under which the initial document was issued. The request can be submitted on the AIMA portal or at the civil registry office with the payment of a fee (from 95 EUR depending on the grounds). As a rule, the validity of the extended residence permit is 3 years.
4. Registration of permanent residence permit.
   After living in Portugal for 5 years, you can apply for permanent resident status in the EU. The application is submitted online on the AIMA portal. The dossier includes passport, proof of sufficient and stable income, residence permit, proof of compliance with tax and social obligations, receipt of payment of the fee (from 95 EUR). The applicant is also required to speak basic Portuguese. The permit has no time limit, but the permanent resident card itself must be renewed every 5 years.
5. Obtaining Portuguese citizenship.
   After living on the territory of Portugal for at least 5 years, you have the opportunity to apply for citizenship through naturalization. Among the additional requirements – command of the official language of the state, absence of criminal record. You can apply for naturalization online, if you have a legal representative, or in person at the civil registry office, the National Center for Support of Migrant Integration (CNAIM, Centro Nacional de Apoio à Integração de Migrantes) or the country’s consulate abroad with payment of a fee (250 EUR). Once the application is approved, a corresponding entry will be made in the Civil Registry.
6. Issuance of national documents.
   All Portuguese citizens are required to have an identity card (Cartão de Cidadão), which can be requested at the district administration or at the Institute of Registries and Notaries (IRN, Instituto dos Registos e do Notariado) upon payment of a fee (from 15 EUR). In addition to the Citizenship Card, you can apply for a Portuguese e-passport for traveling outside the EU. The application is sent to the civil registry office, passport bureau, Portuguese consulate abroad. The cost of the document is from 65 EUR.

To become a holder of a Portuguese passport, you have to go a long way, especially difficult for those who are not familiar with the intricacies of migration procedures and legislation. Involvement of international law lawyers allows you to significantly save time and money, as well as to avoid many difficulties. Relocation Compass specialists will develop for you an effective strategy for obtaining EU citizenship within 4 months and provide support at all stages of its realization. To learn more about the simplified programs of acquiring a European passport, make an appointment for a consultation right now.

Denial and revocation of citizenship

The authorities may reject a request for Portuguese citizenship if the applicant has been sentenced to imprisonment for 3 years or more or has performed non-compulsory military service in a foreign country. Other reasons for refusal are usually related to the provision of false data, non-compliance of the candidate with legal requirements or incomplete dossier. That is why proper preparation for citizenship and having a step-by-step immigration plan are important components of success. In order not to make mistakes during naturalization, it is worthwhile to go through the procedure accompanied by professionals who know all the subtleties of the law.

A national passport can be forfeited by voluntary refusal or in exceptional situations such as fraudulent citizenship or a threat to national security. In most cases, there are legal mechanisms for appealing decisions. For example, you can appeal or provide additional evidence to prove your eligibility. In any case, to protect your rights and avoid losing your citizenship, it is advisable to involve specialists in the field of migration law.

Benefits of Portuguese citizenship

Immigration to Portugal allows foreigners from outside the European Union to become EU citizens and gain access to many privileges in different spheres of life. One of the key advantages is mobility, because you can live and work in any state of the association without the need for permits. Portugal’s passport also offers other advantages, including:

• visa-free travel to more than 160 countries, including Japan, USA, Canada;
• the opportunity to receive high quality education and pay less for higher education than students who are not EU residents;
• the right to vote and stand for election, to apply for public office;
• access to loans, the ability to purchase real estate and rent it out for passive income;
• the right to quality medical care and social support, including unemployment benefits;
• the ability to pass on citizenship by inheritance;
• permission to invest and do business in the European Union, to receive state support for entrepreneurs.

The main disadvantage of Portuguese citizenship is the length of the naturalization procedure. To get an alternative solution for acquiring an EU passport in the shortest possible time, it is worth using the help of experienced professionals. Relocation Compass lawyers will offer you a program of immigration, which will allow you to become the owner of the second citizenship in the period from 4 months and settle without additional conditions in the chosen state of the European Union.

Dual citizenship in Portugal

The legislation of Portugal does not prohibit the possession of a second citizenship. Therefore, during naturalization there is no requirement to renounce the previous status in your country of origin. In addition, Portugal does not oblige you to notify other countries of your citizenship. However, it is worth bearing in mind that some countries, such as China or Kazakhstan, categorically prohibit holding more than one passport.

It is also important to realize that dual citizenship is allowed if an agreement is signed between the states. Portugal has such an agreement with Brazil, so those who hold passports from both countries can choose their place of tax residency, and their children receive two statuses by birthright.

Feedback from those who have obtained a passport as a Portuguese citizen

According to immigrants’ reviews, Portugal is an excellent choice for those who want to get all the privileges of European citizenship together with a second passport. Many note the high standard of living, security in the country, but the naturalization process can take longer than you planned, due to bureaucratic procedures or changes in legislation. Also reviews indicate that an important factor in the citizenship process is knowledge of Portuguese – the A2 level exam is not too difficult, but requires preparation, which becomes an obstacle for some applicants.

Legal assistance in obtaining Portuguese citizenship allows not only to become a passport holder of the EU country in the shortest possible time, but also to avoid financial losses associated with the resubmission of documents or search for missing information for the formation of the file. When choosing specialists, it is important to turn to proven companies with experience in the field of migration law, which guarantees a successful immigration result.

Assistance in obtaining a second citizenship

Obtaining a second passport in Portugal or another country is a complex legal procedure that requires precise compliance with all the requirements, careful preparation and impeccably executed documents. That is why the support of Relocation Compass lawyers will help you acquire EU citizenship in the shortest possible time. Migration experts will select the most suitable program and prepare a dossier in accordance with the current legislation, as well as accompany you at every stage of the process. You can start your path to a second passport now – make an appointment for a free consultation with migration experts and receive a customized immigration solution.