PortugalCitizenship

Citizenship by naturalisation in Portugal

Naturalisation grants Portuguese citizenship to foreign nationals lawfully residing in the country. The procedure depends on the applicant's nationality and includes checks on their knowledge of the Portuguese language, culture, history and the political structure of the state. Citizenship is confirmed by registration and becomes irrevocable after the consolidation period. The minimum period of lawful residence varies between categories of national.

Source: Diário da República — Lei da Nacionalidade (Lei n.º 37/81), artigo 6.º, consolidated version

Categories of applicant for naturalisation

Naturalisation is open to nationals of different countries, depending on the length and conditions of their lawful residence.

Nationals of Portuguese-speaking countries and of the EU

Nationals of the PALOP (Portuguese-speaking countries) and of European Union member states
The required period of lawful residence is seven years
A knowledge of the Portuguese language, culture, history and national symbols is mandatory

Nationals of other countries

Nationals of countries outside the EU that are not Portuguese-speaking (including the Russian Federation, Belarus, Ukraine and Kazakhstan)
The required period of lawful residence is ten years
Evidence of a knowledge of Portuguese and of the fundamentals of the state is required

Stateless people and descendants of Portuguese nationals

Stateless people are given a shortened period of four years
Direct descendants of Portuguese nationals in the third generation need five years of residence
Genealogical documents and evidence of the connection with Portugal are required for descendants

When the programme is not a fit

Staying without official status or a permit

Lawful status (a visa, a residence permit, asylum) has to be obtained before filing a naturalisation application

Being a minor under Portuguese law

You have to wait until you come of age; some categories of minor can obtain citizenship through other programmes

An insufficient knowledge of Portuguese

Take the language test or obtain a recognised certificate at the required level

Documents to gather

The applicant has to evidence that they meet the requirements by providing documents and taking the tests.

Passport or identity document
A document evidencing lawful residence in Portugal (a visa, a residence permit, an asylum permit)
A certificate or test result evidencing a knowledge of Portuguese
A certificate of having passed the test on Portuguese culture, history and national symbols
A certificate of knowledge of the fundamental rights and duties of a Portuguese citizen
A document evidencing a knowledge of the political structure of the Portuguese state
The solemn declaration of commitment to the founding principles of a democratic state governed by the rule of law
A criminal record certificate (at the authorities' request)
Documents on income or financial standing (where necessary)

How the process runs

Naturalisation runs through several stages, from filing the application to registration and consolidation of the citizenship.

1
Preparing and collecting the documents
1-3 months
The foreign national collects the documents needed to evidence identity, residence status and compliance with the language and knowledge requirements. They prepare for the tests on the Portuguese language, culture and political structure.
2
Filing the naturalisation application
1 day
The applicant files an official application, accompanied by all the necessary documents, with the competent justice authority. They confirm their wish to acquire Portuguese citizenship.
3
Taking the tests
1-2 months
The applicant takes the tests on their knowledge of the Portuguese language, culture, history and national symbols, and of the fundamental rights and duties of a citizen and the political structure of the state.
4
Consideration of the application by the Ministry of Justice
3-6 months
The application is considered by the Ministry of Justice. The conditions of lawful residence, the absence of any bar and the test results are checked. A decision is taken on granting citizenship.
5
The decision and registration
1 month
The Minister of Justice issues an order granting Portuguese citizenship. The naturalisation is entered in the national register, which automatically creates and confirms the citizenship.
6
Period for challenge
24 months
After registration the public prosecutor's office can challenge the acquisition of citizenship within two years of the date of registration if fraud or other irregularities are discovered.
7
Consolidation of the citizenship
10 years of good-faith holding
After ten years of holding Portuguese citizenship in good faith it is consolidated. Once consolidated, the citizenship can no longer be revoked, except where forgery in the naturalisation is established.

Timelines and rights

Validity

Naturalisation is entered in the register, and that entry itself creates the citizenship. The public prosecutor's office can challenge the acquisition within two years of the date of registration. After 10 years of good-faith holding, the citizenship is consolidated — it can no longer be revoked, except in cases of forgery.

Work

A Portuguese citizen works without permits.

Residence

Residence counts as lawful when the person is in Portugal on any of the titles, visas or permits provided for by the law on the entry, stay, departure and removal of foreign nationals, or by the asylum law.

Who you can bring with you

Certain categories of person have special conditions for naturalisation, including stateless people and descendants of Portuguese nationals.

Stateless people

The minimum period of lawful residence in Portugal is four years (shorter than under the general rules). They are subject to the same requirements on language and knowledge of the culture.

Direct descendants of Portuguese nationals in the direct line to the third degree

The minimum period of lawful residence is five years. Certificates of Portuguese descent and evidence of the genealogical connection are required.

Minors born in Portugal

Naturalisation is free of charge. The procedure may be simplified if the parents or guardians meet certain conditions.

Minors in care institutions

The naturalisation procedure is free of charge. The state supports the naturalisation of vulnerable children in care.

What comes next: permanent residence and citizenship

Route to permanent residence

Permanent residence is not required for naturalisation: the years are counted on any lawful status — a visa, a residence permit, asylum status.

Route to citizenship

Citizenship is acquired by naturalisation; for stateless people the period of lawful residence is 4 years, and for descendants of Portuguese nationals in the direct line to the third degree, 5 years.

Frequently asked questions about Citizenship by naturalisation

What period of lawful residence is required for naturalisation?

The period depends on the applicant's nationality. Nationals of Portuguese-speaking countries (PALOP) and of European Union member states have to have lived lawfully in Portugal for seven years. Nationals of other countries, including the Russian Federation, Belarus, Ukraine and Kazakhstan, have to have lived there for ten years. Stateless people are given a shortened period of four years. Periods of residence can be added together if they fall within a defined window of time.

What are the requirements on knowledge of Portuguese?

The applicant has to evidence a sufficient knowledge of Portuguese through a test or a recognised certificate. The knowledge has to be practical and enough for everyday communication. The test results are submitted with the application or while it is being considered.

What happens once the naturalisation is registered?

Once registered in the national register, the naturalisation automatically creates Portuguese citizenship. The public prosecutor's office has the right to challenge the acquisition within two years of the date of registration if irregularities or fraud are discovered. After ten years of holding the citizenship in good faith it is consolidated and can no longer be revoked (except in cases of forgery).

Do periods of residence count where different types of visa or permit were held?

Yes, residence counts as lawful where any official title is held, including visas, residence permits, stay permits and asylum statuses provided for by Portuguese immigration law. Permanent residence is not a mandatory requirement. All periods of lawful residence are added together when the total length of stay is calculated.

Can a naturalised citizen lose Portuguese citizenship?

Once the citizenship is consolidated (after ten years of holding it in good faith) it is protected from revocation, except where forgery in the naturalisation is proven. Portuguese citizenship cannot be revoked on the basis of migration status, a change of residence or other standard reasons. However, where serious offences are committed during the first ten years after naturalisation, particular consequences are possible under the law.

Other ways to move to Portugal

Every route in one list — migration programmes: Portugal.

The terms and the amounts are checked against official sources — the link sits under each section.Last checked on: 7 August 2026.