Belion Partners - Residency and Investment expert in Portugal

Portuguese Citizenship

Portuguese citizenship entitles one to live, work, and study in all EU countries and access to other Portugal citizens’ rights, such as education, healthcare and social security.

Original Citizenship

Original Portuguese citizenship is available for individuals descending from Portuguese citizens (Citizenship by descent) and for those born in Portugal, independently of his/her parents nationality (Citizenship by birth).

Citizenship by descent

Portugal Citizenship by Descent
  • Born abroad and has a Portuguese parent.
  • Born abroad and has a Portuguese grandparent who did not lose his/her Portuguese nationality.

Citizenship by birth

Portugal Citizenship by Birth
  • Individual born in Portugal foreign parents that are not at the service of their State of origin and one of the parents have been a legal resident of Portugal for at least 2 years.
  • Individual born in Portugal and does not have another citizenship

Acquired Citizenship

Portuguese citizenship may be acquired by:

01. The spouse or life partner for at least 3 years of a Portugal legal resident

02. A legal resident of Portugal for at least 5 years

03. The underaged or incapacitated child of someone who acquired Portuguese citizenship

04. Under 18’s born in Portugal and either concluded at least 1 cycle of schooling in Portugal, or has one parent who has been a legal Portugal resident for the last 5 years at the time of application

05. Individual born in Portugal and legal resident for at least 5 years provided that one of the parents had held Portuguese legal residence at the time of his/her birth

06. A Sephardic Jew that descends from Portuguese Sephardic Jews

Documents Required for Citizenship

Some applicants for citizenship must submit documentary evidence of effective ties to Portugal and/or the Portuguese community, and the State Attorney may oppose the granting of citizenship if such ties are either too few or too weak. This criterion applies to those born abroad but who has a Portuguese grandparent or those who have been married to (or equivalent) a Portugal resident for 3 years.


Typical documentation includes:


  • Registration with Portugal's Tax Authority and National Health Service;
  • Regular trips to Portugal in case the applicant does not live in the country;
  • Having owned or rented property in Portugal for at least 3 years;
  • Living in a historic Portuguese community abroad or having ties thereto;
  • Having participated during the previous 5 years in the cultural life of a Portuguese community existing in the country of residence of the applicant, namely in the activities of the cultural or recreational associations of such community.


Proving basic knowledge of the Portuguese language is required from someone who applies to become a Portugal resident. This is only applicable for some application criteria, such as those applying for citizenship as someone with a Portuguese grandparent, someone who has legal residency in Portugal for 5 years, born in Portugal to foreign parents. ​

How can Belion assist with obtaining Portuguese Citizenship?

For more information on how to obtain portuguese citizenship, contact Belion Partners today! We provide information and assistance to those looking to acquire portuguese citizenship.

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