Discover if you qualify for Portuguese citizenship through your parents or grandparents. This is often the fastest and most cost-effective way to obtain Portuguese citizenship, with no residency requirements.
Portuguese citizenship by descent (also known as citizenship by origin or jus sanguinis) allows individuals to claim Portuguese citizenship based on their family lineage. This is often the fastest and most cost-effective pathway to Portuguese citizenship, with no residency requirements and typically taking only 6-12 months to complete.
Portuguese citizenship by descent is available to individuals who can prove their Portuguese ancestry through specific family relationships. The eligibility criteria vary depending on the generation and circumstances of your Portuguese ancestor.
Note: This is the most straightforward pathway with the highest success rate.
Note: More complex than parent route, may require additional proof of Portuguese ties.
Special pathway for descendants of Sephardic Jews expelled from Portugal during the Inquisition (1492-1497).
If you were born in Portugal to foreign parents, you may qualify under certain conditions.
This is the most straightforward pathway to Portuguese citizenship by descent. If you have a Portuguese parent, you are generally eligible for citizenship regardless of where you were born or when your parent became a citizen.
If your parents are not Portuguese citizens but your grandparents are, you may still be eligible for Portuguese citizenship by descent. This route is more complex and may require additional documentation to prove your connection to Portugal.
The grandparent route is more complex and may require additional documentation to prove your connection to Portugal. Success rates are lower than the parent route, and processing times may be longer. Consider consulting with an immigration lawyer specializing in Portuguese citizenship by descent.
Portugal offers a special pathway to citizenship for descendants of Sephardic Jews who were expelled from the country during the Inquisition (1492-1497). This is a unique opportunity for those who can trace their ancestry to Portuguese Sephardic communities.
The success of your Portuguese citizenship by descent application depends heavily on having the correct documents. Here's a comprehensive guide to all required documentation.
The application process for Portuguese citizenship by descent is relatively straightforward, but requires careful attention to detail and proper documentation. Here's a step-by-step guide.
Collect all necessary birth certificates, marriage records, and supporting documentation for you and your Portuguese ancestor.
Fill out the official Portuguese citizenship application forms and prepare supporting statements.
Submit your complete application package to the appropriate Portuguese authority.
Monitor your application status and respond to any requests for additional information.
Once approved, you'll receive your Portuguese citizenship certificate and can apply for a Portuguese passport.
Portuguese citizenship by descent is typically the fastest and most cost-effective pathway to Portuguese citizenship. Here's what to expect in terms of timeline and costs.
| Service | Cost Range | Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application Fee | €200 | Yes | Government fee |
| Document Apostilles | €200-500 | Yes | Per document |
| Portuguese Translations | €300-800 | Yes | Per page |
| Document Retrieval | €100-300 | Maybe | If documents missing |
| Legal Assistance | €500-2,000 | Optional | For complex cases |
| Portuguese Passport | €65 | Optional | After citizenship |
| Total Range | €1,000-3,000 | - | Most cases |
While Portuguese citizenship by descent is generally straightforward, there are some common issues that applicants encounter. Here's how to avoid and resolve them.
Application rejected due to missing birth certificates, marriage records, or other required documents.
Documents rejected because they're not properly apostilled or translated.
Names spelled differently across documents, causing confusion and potential rejection.
Application processing takes longer than expected, causing stress and uncertainty.
Yes, you can still apply for Portuguese citizenship by descent even if your Portuguese parent is deceased. You'll need to provide their death certificate along with their birth certificate and other required documents. The fact that they're deceased doesn't affect your eligibility.
If you can't find the birth certificate, you can try alternative documents like baptismal records, military records, or marriage certificates that prove Portuguese citizenship. You may also need to contact the Portuguese Civil Registry or hire a professional genealogist to help locate the documents.
No, you don't need to speak Portuguese to apply for citizenship by descent. Unlike naturalization, which requires language proficiency, descent-based citizenship has no language requirements. However, having some Portuguese language skills can be helpful when dealing with Portuguese authorities.
Yes, once you obtain Portuguese citizenship by descent, your children (born after you become a citizen) will automatically be Portuguese citizens. If your children are already born, they can apply for citizenship by descent through you once you have your citizenship certificate.
The Portuguese citizenship certificate itself doesn't expire - it's a permanent document proving your citizenship status. However, if you want to travel internationally, you'll need to apply for a Portuguese passport, which is valid for 5 years for adults and 2 years for children under 18.
If your application is denied, you can appeal the decision within 30 days. The appeal process typically takes 6-12 months. You can also reapply after addressing the issues that led to the denial. Common reasons for denial include insufficient documentation, incorrect translations, or failure to prove the required family relationship.
Yes, Portugal allows dual citizenship, so you can apply for Portuguese citizenship by descent even if you already have US citizenship or citizenship from another country. You won't need to renounce your existing citizenship to become a Portuguese citizen.
While other pathways to Portuguese citizenship face 5-10 year residency requirements, citizenship by descent remains completely unchanged. This makes it the most valuable and time-sensitive option for those with Portuguese ancestry.
Don't let the 2025 law changes affect your path to Portuguese citizenship. If you have Portuguese ancestry, this is your fastest and most cost-effective route to EU citizenship.