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Portuguese Citizenship 2026: Routes, Years and How to Apply

Updated 25 October 2026· Checked against official sources

Ler em português

Portuguese citizenship (in Portuguese law, nacionalidade portuguesa — nationality) is the legal link that makes someone a Portuguese citizen, with the right to a Cartão de Cidadão (citizen card) (in Portuguese), a Portuguese passport and EU citizenship. The rules changed in 2026: Organic Law no. 1/2026 (Lei Orgânica), published on 18 May, came into force on 19 May 2026 and increased the years of residence required for naturalisation. This guide describes the rules in force today.

Vocabulary note: in Portugal the word used is nacionalidade (nationality), not “cidadania”. Naturalização (naturalisation) is citizenship granted by the Government to people who live here; aquisição (acquisition) and atribuição (attribution) are other forms (through marriage, being a grandchild, etc.). The authority in charge is IRN (Instituto dos Registos e do Notariado — the registry institute), through its conservatórias (registry offices).

What are the routes to Portuguese citizenship?

The new law ended the special regime for descendants of Sephardic Jews and some descent routes that existed before.

How many years of residence do you need for Portuguese citizenship today?

For applications submitted from 19 May 2026:

• 7 years of legal residence for citizens of Portuguese-speaking countries (CPLP, including Brazil) and of EU Member States;
• 10 years for citizens of other countries.

The periods of legal residence can be continuous or with breaks, but they must fit inside a maximum period of 9 years (CPLP and EU), 12 years (other countries) or 6 years (stateless people).

Example: a Brazilian citizen who lived legally in Portugal for 4 years, left for 1 year and came back for 3 more years has 7 years within a period of 8 years — she meets the requirement.

Legal residence means being in Portugal with a valid permit or status — for example, a residence permit or a CPLP residence permit.

What other requirements does naturalisation have?

Besides the years of residence, at the time of the application you must:

1. Be an adult.
2. Prove, with a test or certificate, sufficient knowledge of the Portuguese language and culture, history and national symbols. Citizens of Portuguese-speaking countries are presumed to know the language, unless they clearly do not.
3. Know the fundamental rights and duties and the political organisation of the State.
4. Make a solemn declaration of commitment to the principles of the democratic rule of law.
5. Not have been sentenced to actual prison time of more than 3 years for terrorism, violent crime, highly organised crime, crimes against State security or helping illegal immigration.
6. Not be a threat to national security or subject to UN or EU sanctions.
7. Be able to support yourself financially.

How does citizenship through marriage or partnership work?

• Marriage: a foreign citizen married for more than three years to a Portuguese citizen can acquire citizenship by declaration, made while the marriage exists. No years of residence in Portugal are required.
• De facto partnership: you must have lived in a de facto partnership for more than three years at the date of the declaration and have the partnership recognised by a court decision from the competent court.
• In both cases you cannot have the convictions or security impediments listed above.
• The Ministério Público (Public Prosecutor) can object because of a lack of real ties to the Portuguese community, but cannot object on that basis when the marriage or partnership has lasted more than six years or there are children in common who are Portuguese.

What about grandchildren and great-grandchildren of Portuguese citizens?

Grandchildren of an original Portuguese citizen who did not lose their nationality are Portuguese by origin if they declare they want to be and have real ties to the Portuguese community. Under the new law, they also have to meet the requirements on language and culture, knowledge of rights and duties, solemn declaration, and no convictions or impediments.

Great-grandchildren can apply for naturalisation without the 7/10 years, as long as they have 5 years of legal residence in Portugal.

What documents do you need?

The documents depend on the route. In general, expect:

• Application form (IRN form);
• Birth certificate, translated and legalised or with an apostille if it is foreign;
• Valid identity document (passport or residence permit);
• Proof of legal residence and of the time of residence (naturalisation);
• Marriage certificate or court decision recognising the de facto partnership (marriage/partnership);
• Birth certificates of the Portuguese father/mother and grandfather/grandmother (grandchildren);
• Proof of knowledge of the language and culture.

You do not need to submit the Portuguese criminal record certificate: according to gov.pt, the registry office gets it itself. Certificates from other countries where you lived may be requested — see the guide on the criminal record certificate.

How much does Portuguese citizenship cost?

According to the IRN cost table:

On top of these amounts you pay for certificates, translations and apostilles.

How to apply for citizenship at IRN

1. Confirm the route that applies to you and gather the original documents.
2. Choose the channel:
   • Balcão da Nacionalidade (nationality desk — in-person submission, no lawyer needed);
   • By post to the Conservatória dos Registos Centrais (Central Registry Office);
   • Nacionalidade Online, only through a lawyer or solicitor;
   • Abroad, at consulates (the declaration must be made in person).
3. Pay the fee.
4. Give your biometric data, when asked.
5. Follow your case with the “Consultar estado do processo de nacionalidade” (check nationality case status) service on justica.gov.pt, using the application number and code.

Questions: Linha Registo (+351) 211 950 500.

How long does it take?

IRN does not publish a decision deadline. Cases can take several months or longer.

Common mistakes

• Counting years under the old law. New applications require 7 or 10 years, not 5.
• Counting time without a valid permit. Only legal residence counts.
• Confusing permanent residence with citizenship. Permanent residence is a different process, at AIMA.
• Submitting copies or foreign documents without an apostille/translation.
• Applying through a de facto partnership without a court decision recognising it.
• Using the online portal without a lawyer. It is only for professionals.