Frequently Asked Questions

Not for new applications. Organic Law 1/2026 (Lei Orgânica), in force since May 19, 2026, eliminated naturalization for ascendants of Portuguese citizens by origin (former Art. 6(8)). Applications filed by May 18, 2026, continue to be assessed under the previous law. For new applications, ascendants should consider other routes, such as naturalization based on legal residence.

Under the previous wording of the law, an ascendant of a Portuguese citizen could be naturalized if:

• they had resided in Portugal, legally or not, for at least the five years immediately preceding the application;
• the ascendancy had been established at the time of the Portuguese citizen's birth.

Example: a Brazilian woman who had a son with a Portuguese man, the son being a Portuguese citizen by origin, could be naturalized through him.

An application under the previous regime requires the birth certificates of the child and of the applicant, an apostilled personal identity document, criminal records and proof of five years of residence.

• birth certificate of the Portuguese child;
• full-content birth certificate of the applicant, with notarial recognition and Hague Apostille;
• certified copy of a valid personal identity document with photo, with Hague Apostille;
• criminal records from every country where the applicant has lived since age 16;
• AIMA document showing the length of residence, or documents proving residence, even if illegal, for 5 years.

No. For applications governed by the previous law, residence in Portugal, legal or not, during the five years immediately preceding the application counted. For this reason, proof could be provided by a document issued by AIMA proving the length of residence or by other documents proving residence, even if illegal, for a period of five years.

Yes. A foreign national who has a Portuguese grandfather or grandmother is entitled to Portuguese citizenship by attribution (citizenship by origin), even if their ascendants have died. The right is provided for in Art. 1(1)(d) of the Nationality Act and in Art. 10-A of the Portuguese Nationality Regulation, provided the legal requirements in force are met.

Until May 18, 2026, proof of ties of effective connection to the Portuguese community was required. Since May 19, 2026, attribution depends, among other requirements, on:

• knowledge of the Portuguese language and culture, history and national symbols;
• knowledge of fundamental rights and duties and of the political organization of the State;
• solemn declaration of adherence to the democratic rule of law;
• the absence of convictions and legal impediments.

For Brazilians and other nationals of countries where Portuguese is an official language, only knowledge of the Portuguese language is presumed (Art. 6(10) of the Nationality Act). The other knowledge requirements, such as culture, history, national symbols and the political organization of the State, must be proven under the implementing regulations. Applications filed by May 18, 2026, continue to follow the previous law.

Yes, a great-grandchild of a Portuguese citizen can obtain citizenship in two stages, through their father, mother, grandfather or grandmother, or by naturalization after five years of legal residence.

Yes, by two routes:

• in two stages: first, attribution to the father/mother or grandfather/grandmother descended from the Portuguese great-grandparent, who must be alive; then to the great-grandchild, as the child or grandchild of a Portuguese citizen;
• naturalization (a route created by Organic Law 1/2026), for descendants in the 3rd degree of Portuguese citizens by origin with legal residence in Portugal for at least five years, provided the other requirements are met.

The IRN fees are:

• €175 for attribution of citizenship to adult grandchildren;
• free of charge for grandchildren under 18;
• €250 for naturalization of great-grandchildren (Art. 6(8)).

The difference stems from the route: for grandchildren it is attribution (citizenship by origin); for great-grandchildren with legal residence, it is naturalization.

Yes. Portuguese law grants children of Portuguese citizens citizenship by origin (by attribution) and makes no distinction as to whether the Portuguese parent is the applicant's father or mother. The child's place of birth is also irrelevant. Because it is citizenship by origin, it can later be passed on to the applicant's descendants.

No. The Portuguese ascendant does not need to be alive for the child to obtain citizenship. For the Portuguese ascendant's birth certificate, a plain copy or the corresponding details are even sufficient: full name, parents' names, date of birth, municipality (concelho) and parish (freguesia) of birth.

The application by the child of a Portuguese citizen requires the birth certificates of the ascendant and of the applicant, an apostilled personal identity document with photo and a signed private power of attorney.

• birth certificate of the Portuguese ascendant (plain copy or details);
• full-content, photocopy-format birth certificate of the applicant, with notarial recognition and Hague Apostille;
• certified copy of a valid personal identity document with photo (RG, CNH or passport), with Hague Apostille;
• signed private power of attorney.

If the applicant is over 70, a public power of attorney with a Hague Apostille is requested, for proof of life.

Prior transcription of the parents' marriage is mandatory in two situations: when both parents are Portuguese, or when only the mother is Portuguese and she was not the person who declared the child's birth. In all other cases, the application for attribution proceeds with the usual documents, without this preliminary step.

The routes to citizenship are:

• children of a Portuguese citizen;
• grandchildren and great-grandchildren of a Portuguese citizen;
• spouses or partners in a de facto union (união de facto) with a Portuguese citizen;
• persons adopted by a Portuguese citizen;
• ascendants of a Portuguese citizen, only for applications filed up to May 18, 2026;
• foreign nationals with a period of legal residence in Portugal.

Each route has its own requirements and documents.

The route for ascendants of a Portuguese citizen applies only to applications filed up to May 18, 2026. Anyone who did not file by that date cannot use this route and should check whether they qualify under any of the other routes to citizenship, such as legal residence in Portugal, each with its own requirements.

The first step is to identify which route your case falls under (child, grandchild or great-grandchild, spouse or partner, adoptee, ascendant or residence). Next, the documents are received and reviewed to verify whether the right to Portuguese citizenship exists in the family. This informational content does not replace a review of your specific case.

Yes. A foreign national adopted by a Portuguese citizen acquires citizenship by declaration (Art. 5 of the Nationality Act, as amended by Organic Law 1/2026), provided that none of the grounds for opposition set out in Art. 9 of the same law applies. The fee is €250 for adults; for minors, the amount should be checked.

• adoption granted or confirmed by a final and unappealable decision;
• ties of effective connection to the Portuguese community, assessed according to Art. 6(1)(c) to (i) (such as knowledge of the Portuguese language and culture and the absence of certain convictions or of a threat to national security);
• not having held public office of a not predominantly technical nature nor performed non-compulsory military service for a foreign State.

Yes, as a rule. If the adoption judgment was issued by a foreign court, it can only be relied on for citizenship purposes after being reviewed and confirmed by a Portuguese court, in proceedings for the review and confirmation of a foreign judgment (Arts. 978 et seq. of the Code of Civil Procedure). The exception is a decision issued in a country with which there is an agreement waiving such review.

• birth certificate of the adoptee, legalized and translated if necessary;
• birth certificate of the Portuguese adoptive parent (can be obtained ex officio);
• certificate of the adoption decision, reviewed and confirmed if foreign;
• evidence of effective connection to the Portuguese community.

If the adoptee is over 16, criminal record certificates are added and, where applicable, documents on public office held or military service performed for a foreign State.

In that case, the list is shorter:

• birth registration certificate of the Portuguese adoptive parent, a full copy, which can be obtained ex officio by the registry services;
• certificate of the decision that granted the adoption, for annotation on the adoptee's birth record.

As a rule, the court that grants the adoption sends a certificate ex officio to the competent Registry Office.

There are three situations provided for:

• more than 3 years and children in common with Portuguese citizenship;
• more than 3 years and ties of effective connection to the Portuguese community;
• more than 6 years, in which case there is no opposition on the grounds of lack of effective connection.

Applications filed by May 18, 2026, follow the previous law.

Yes. In any case, the applicant must not have been sentenced to actual imprisonment of more than 3 years for the crimes set out in the law, pose a threat to national security or defense, or be subject to restrictive measures of the UN or the European Union (Art. 3(4) and Art. 6(1)(f) to (h) of the Nationality Act).

Yes, but it must first be recognized in Portugal. If the union was recognized in court or out of court in Brazil, an Action for Review and Confirmation of a Foreign Judgment (Ação de Revisão e Confirmação de Sentença Estrangeira) is required. If the couple is in Portugal, a Declaratory Action for Recognition of a De Facto Union is brought. The judgment or deed must expressly state the start date of the union; otherwise, it will not be recognized.

An application based on marriage requires the birth certificate of the Portuguese spouse, the applicant's birth and marriage certificates, an apostilled personal identity document and criminal records.

• birth certificate of the Portuguese spouse with transcription of the marriage;
• full-content birth certificate of the applicant, with notarial recognition and Hague Apostille;
• full-content marriage certificate issued less than 6 months ago, apostilled;
• certified copy of a personal identity document with photo, apostilled;
• criminal records from the countries where the applicant has lived since age 16;
• birth certificate of the Portuguese child or evidence of effective connection, as applicable.

For a de facto union, you also need the Portuguese court judgment recognizing the union and a statement by the Portuguese partner, made less than 3 months ago, that the union continues.

In addition to the Portuguese partner's birth certificate, the applicant's personal documents and criminal records, the following are required:

• certificate of the final and unappealable judgment in the action for recognition of a de facto union or in the review of a foreign judgment, issued by a Portuguese court;
• statement by the Portuguese partner, made less than 3 months ago, that the union continues.

Under Organic Law 1/2026, in force since May 19, 2026, it is 7 years for nationals of countries where Portuguese is an official language, such as Brazil, and for European Union citizens, and 10 years for other foreign nationals. Continuous or interrupted periods are added together if they occurred within a maximum span of 9 or 12 years, respectively. Applications filed by May 18, 2026, follow the previous law (5 years).

In addition to the length of residence, the law requires legal age, knowledge of the Portuguese language and culture, the absence of certain convictions and the capacity to support oneself.

• be of legal age under Portuguese law;
• knowledge of the Portuguese language and culture, history and national symbols;
• knowledge of fundamental rights and duties and of the political organization of the State;
• solemn declaration of adherence to the democratic rule of law;
• absence of the convictions set out in the law and of any threat to security;
• the ability to support oneself.

For Brazilians and other nationals of countries where Portuguese is an official language, knowledge of the Portuguese language is presumed, unless there is a manifest lack of proficiency (Art. 6(10) of the Nationality Act (Lei da Nacionalidade)). The other required knowledge, such as culture, history, national symbols, rights and duties and the political organization of the State, must be demonstrated under the implementing regulations.

For new applications, no. With the repeal of Art. 15(4) of the Nationality Act by Organic Law 1/2026 (Lei Orgânica), the time spent waiting for a decision on a residence permit application no longer counts as legal residence. Citizenship applications filed up to May 18, 2026 continue to be assessed under the previous law.

Naturalization by residence requires an apostilled birth certificate and personal ID document, criminal record certificates from the countries where you have lived, and an AIMA document showing your length of residence.

• full-content birth certificate of the applicant, with notarial recognition and Hague Apostille;
• certified copy of a valid personal identity document with photo (RG, CNH or passport), with Hague Apostille;
• criminal record certificate from every country where you have lived since the age of 16, with a certified translation if necessary;
• an AIMA document proving the length of legal residence in Portugal.

As soon as the registration has been made. The completed stage, when the application is granted, means that citizenship has been granted and registered in the civil registry (IRN). Before booking, request the certificate online (€10, with a code valid for six months) and check the details: the card reproduces what is shown on the birth record.

No. Citizen Spaces only handle renewals, from age 25. The first card is requested at a civil registry office, at a Citizen Shop (Loja do Cidadão) or, in Brazil, at the Portuguese consulate (Justiça.gov.pt).

Yes. The passport is only issued to those who hold a valid Citizen Card or Identity Card (Bilhete de Identidade) (Justiça.gov.pt). That is why the first step after citizenship is the card.

No. Since Constitutional Amendment 131/2023 (Emenda Constitucional), a Brazilian only loses Brazilian citizenship by making an express request. Portugal does not require renunciation of a previous citizenship either.

No. Portuguese citizenship is not annotated in the Brazilian civil registry. Your Brazilian documents remain valid and must be used before Brazilian authorities. The care needed is to keep the same name on the documents of both countries.

No. Each child needs their own registration. If the father or mother is Portuguese by origin, a child born abroad is Portuguese by origin upon entry of the birth in the Portuguese civil registry or upon the declaration (Article 1(1)(c) of the Nationality Act (Lei da Nacionalidade)). If citizenship was acquired, minor children may acquire it by declaration (Article 2). See citizenship for children of Portuguese citizens.

If the error is in the birth record, a correction is requested from the registrar, who makes it by annotation (Articles 92 and 93 of the Civil Registry Code (Código do Registo Civil)). If the difference stems from a marriage or divorce not registered in Portugal, transcription or recognition of the judgment is required. Resolve this before applying for the Citizen Card.

No. Military service is voluntary. National Defense Day is mandatory for those turning 18, but people born abroad or who have lived lawfully outside Portugal for more than six months are exempt (gov.pt).

No. Being 75 or older is one of the accepted grounds, but urgency must be requested and proven, and it is decided by the registrar responsible for the process (IRN resolution of May 20, 2026, points 2(g) and 5).

The applicant, their legal representative or an attorney-in-fact with specific powers for that purpose (IRN resolution of May 20, 2026, point 3). If the request is made by a lawyer, the power of attorney should expressly mention the urgency request.

No. The assessment of urgency neither conditions nor anticipates the outcome of the final decision (IRN resolution, point 6). It only affects the order of review; the citizenship requirements remain the same.

Through the online check, with the code sent by email when the application is filed. The service is free and shows four statuses: submitted, under review, for decision and completed (justica.gov.pt). It is also possible to check at a Citizenship Desk (Balcão da Nacionalidade) or through the Linha Registos helpline.

No. Procedures pending on the date Organic Law 1/2026 (Lei Orgânica) entered into force are governed by the Nationality Act as previously worded (Art. 7(2)). For online applications, the IRN announced that the date of submission on the platform is what counts (notice of May 7, 2026).

The Regulation sets a one-year time limit to challenge acts and omissions in citizenship proceedings (Art. 61(1)), and, in the case of inaction, the Code of Procedure in Administrative Courts (CPTA) counts that year from the end of the legal time limit for a decision (Art. 69(1)). Because the Regulation sets time limits for each stage, the starting point of the count must be analyzed case by case.

The D1 visa is intended for those who have a job offer, promise of employment or signed employment contract to carry out employed (subordinate) work in Portugal. If the intention is to work independently or to start a business, the route is different: the D2 visa, for entrepreneurs and independent workers.

For the D1 visa, the documents required include a valid passport, photographs, health insurance, means of subsistence, accommodation, an employment contract and authorization to consult the criminal record.

• two identical photographs and a valid passport;
• health insurance;
• proof of means of subsistence (Ministerial Order 1563/2007) and of accommodation;
• authorization for AIMA to consult the Portuguese criminal record;
• employment contract entered into in accordance with the law;
• documents to verify registration with the tax authority and that social security contributions are up to date.

In Stage 1, the visa application is filed in Brazil. Once the application is approved, the D1 visa is affixed to the passport and the applicant has up to 120 days to enter Portuguese territory. The process continues after arrival, with the application to convert the visa into a residence permit.

In Stage 2, you apply to AIMA to convert the visa into a residence permit, with the previous documents and also:

• NIF – tax identification number;
• NISS – Social Security registration number;
• AIMA official form (Form 1).

Once the application is granted, the residence card is valid for two years, renewable for successive periods of three years.

After 7 years of legal residence, the period applicable to citizens of Brazil and of other Portuguese-speaking countries under the Nationality Act (Lei da Nacionalidade), you may apply for Portuguese citizenship by naturalization, provided the other legal requirements are met.

The D2 visa is intended for those who carry out independent professional activity (self-employment) and intend to continue it in Portugal, or who intend to open a company in Portugal. Retirees and people living on their own income should instead apply for the D7 visa.

For the D2 visa, an independent worker proves a service contract or proposal and professional qualification, and an entrepreneur proves investment or financial means in Portugal.

Under Article 60 of the Foreigners Act, Law 23/2007 (Lei de Estrangeiros):

• independent activity: a contract or written proposal for the provision of services and qualification to carry out the activity, as well as a CV in the European format;
• entrepreneurs: investment operations or financial means available in Portugal and the intention to invest, usually demonstrated by a well-prepared business plan.

All D2 visa applicants submit, among other documents, a valid passport, means of subsistence, accommodation, health and travel insurance, a criminal record certificate and photos.

• visa application form and passport valid for more than 3 months, with a copy;
• means of subsistence and proof of accommodation;
• international health insurance and travel insurance meeting EU standards;
• criminal record certificate and two recent 3×4 photos;
• certified copy of the personal identity document with a Hague apostille;
• International Certificate of Vaccination and payment of the Consulate fee slip.

Yes. As an alternative to proving financial means and the intention to invest, the entrepreneur may submit a statement from IAPMEI certifying the execution of an incubation agreement with a certified incubator, under Normative Order 4/2018 (Despacho Normativo) and Ministerial Order 344/2017 (Portaria). This option is known as the Start Up Visa.

In Stage 1, the application is filed with the Consulate or Embassy of Portugal in Brazil, with a personal interview; once approved, you have up to 120 days to enter Portugal. In Stage 2, you apply to AIMA for conversion into a residence permit, with the NIF, NISS and Form 1. The residence card is valid for two years, renewable for periods of three years.

The D3 visa is intended for those who have been:

• admitted as a higher education student at doctoral level;
• admitted as a researcher at an officially recognized research center;
• invited to teach at a higher education institution;
• hired for a highly qualified activity.

For the employed D3 visa, the minimum annual pay is 1.5 times the national average gross annual salary or three times the IAS, with a contract of at least six months.

For teaching or highly qualified employed activity, an employment contract or promise of employment contract lasting at least six months is required, with annual pay of at least 1.5 times the national average gross annual salary or three times the IAS (Article 61-A of Law 23/2007 (Lei)). The IAS for 2026 is €537.13.

The EU Blue Card requires a contract of at least six months and annual pay of at least 1.5 times the national average gross annual salary, or 1.2 times for professions considered a priority (Article 121-B of Law 23/2007 (Lei)). The other documents for the D3 visa application must also be gathered.

For the D3 visa, the documents required include a valid passport, proof of qualifications with a CV, a letter from the company, a contract or promise of contract, insurance and a criminal record certificate.

Among others:

• passport valid for more than 3 months and means of subsistence;
• proof of academic and professional qualifications, with a CV;
• letter from the company stating the reasons for hiring;
• contract or promise of contract, or research grant, signed by the parties;
• health and travel insurance, criminal record certificate and accommodation;
• marriage certificate and children's birth certificates, if applicable.

In Stage 1, the application is filed with the Consulate or Embassy of Portugal in Brazil, with a personal interview; once approved, you have up to 120 days to enter Portugal. In Stage 2, you apply to AIMA for conversion into a residence permit, with the NIF, NISS and Form 1. The card is valid for two years, renewable for periods of three years.

The D4 visa is for those who will study in Portugal for more than 1 year: it is intended for study, exchange, professional internship, research or volunteering where the programs exceed 360 days. If the course lasts that long or less, the Temporary Stay Visa should be requested.

No. Law 62/2026 (Lei), in force since September 11, 2026, repealed the provisions that allowed higher education students and interns who had entered Portugal legally without a residence visa to apply directly for a residence permit. For this reason, the visa application must be filed while you are still in your country of origin, before traveling.

For the D4 visa, the documents required include a valid passport, means of subsistence, accommodation, health and travel insurance, a criminal record certificate and an apostilled personal identity document.

Among others:

• visa application form and passport valid for more than 3 months;
• means of subsistence and proof of accommodation;
• international health insurance and travel insurance meeting EU standards;
• criminal record certificate and authorization for AIMA to consult the criminal record;
• certified personal identity document with a Hague apostille, two photos and the Consulate fee slip.

Besides the general documents, you submit the documentation for your specific situation, such as a letter of acceptance from or enrollment at the university, or an agreement with the volunteer organization.

The applicant must also gather documents according to their situation, for example:

• letter of acceptance from the university or proof of enrollment;
• agreement with the host organization responsible for the volunteer program;
• letter of acceptance from a research center or higher education institution.

The D5 visa is for those who have already started a study program in a European country and intend to transfer or complement it in Portugal (exchange, double degree, "sandwich" program or mobility grant), lasting up to 360 days. You must hold a residence permit from an EU Member State valid for the entire period of the program. The visa allows you to carry out paid professional activity.

No. If you are covered by a European Union or multilateral mobility program, or by an agreement between higher education institutions, the law waives the residence visa: you only need to notify AIMA of the mobility up to 30 days before it begins (Articles 63 and 91-A of Law 23/2007 (Lei)). In other cases, the visa must be requested at the competent Portuguese Consulate.

For the D5 visa, the documents required include a valid passport, means of subsistence, accommodation, insurance, a criminal record certificate, an EU residence permit and a letter of acceptance.

• visa application form and passport valid for more than 3 months;
• means of subsistence and proof of accommodation;
• international health insurance and travel insurance meeting EU standards;
• criminal record certificate and authorization for AIMA to consult the criminal record;
• residence permit from an EU Member State valid for the entire program;
• letter of acceptance and proof of enrollment, two photos and payment of the fees.

• spouse or equivalent partner (both at least 18 years old);
• minor children or dependent children lacking legal capacity, and adopted minors, under the legal conditions;
• adult children who are single and dependent and studying in Portugal (or in the cases of Art. 90-A);
• 1st-degree ascendants of the resident or of the spouse, if dependent on them;
• minor siblings under the resident's guardianship, with a decision recognized by Portugal.

Since Law 61/2025 (Lei), as a rule at least two years, or 15 months in the case of a spouse or equivalent partner with whom the resident lived for at least 18 months before entering Portugal. The period does not apply to minor children or dependent children lacking legal capacity, to a spouse who is the parent or adoptive parent of a dependent minor, or to family members of holders of an ARI, a highly qualified activity permit or an EU Blue Card.

The resident must prove suitable accommodation and means of subsistence for the whole household, without recourse to social support (Article 101 of the Foreigners Act, Law 23/2007 (Lei de Estrangeiros)). The reference is the national minimum wage (€920 per month in 2026):

• 100% for the first adult;
• plus 50% for each additional adult;
• plus 30% for each minor or dependent adult child.

The application is filed by the resident, in Portugal, with AIMA. If the family member is outside the country, after approval they apply for the D6 visa at the competent Consulate, with a personal interview, and have up to 120 days to enter Portugal. For family members already legally in Portugal, the application is only admissible in the cases of Article 98(3).

AIMA has a legal time limit of nine months to decide, extendable by an equal period in exceptional circumstances (Article 105 of Law 23/2007 (Lei)), and the applicant is notified of the decision. Afterwards, the law requires reunified family members to take integration measures, such as Portuguese language training and, for minors, attendance of compulsory schooling, which are checked on renewal.

The D7 visa is intended for retirees and people who have their own income and intend to live in Portugal. The application must be filed while still in the country of origin. With the visa in hand, the applicant has up to 120 days to enter Portuguese territory and attend the scheduled appointment at AIMA to obtain the residence permit.

You must prove means of subsistence for a period of no less than 12 months, using as reference the national minimum wage (€920 per month in 2026), plus 50% for each additional adult and 30% for each minor in the household. Proof can be provided with financial statements, income tax returns and other documents, in addition to the retirement or income document.

The NHR regime was repealed as of January 1, 2024 (Law 82/2023 (Lei), Article 236), and applies only to those already registered or who qualified under the transitional regime. The regime that replaced it, IFICI, is aimed at qualified activities and, as a rule, does not cover retirees. Tax planning before the move is therefore recommended.

For the D7 visa, the documents required include a valid passport, proof of income, accommodation, health insurance and a criminal record certificate.

Among others:

• visa application form and passport valid for more than 3 months;
• means of subsistence and proof of retirement or income;
• proof of accommodation;
• health and travel insurance, criminal record certificate and authorization for AIMA to consult the criminal record;
• certified personal identity document with a Hague apostille, two photos and the Consulate fee slip.

There are limits. The temporary residence permit may be canceled if the holder, without justified reasons, is absent from Portugal for six consecutive months or eight non-consecutive months within the total validity period of the permit (Article 85(2) of Law 23/2007 (Lei)).

The grant of a residence permit must be decided within 90 days, extendable by 30 in exceptional circumstances; renewal, within 60 days (Article 82(5) and (6) of Law 23/2007). Family reunification has a deadline of nine months, extendable in exceptional cases (Article 105).

In the event of silence, one year from the end of the legal deadline for a decision (Article 69(1) of the CPTA). In the event of rejection, generally three months (Articles 69(2) and 58(1)(b)).

As a rule, no. Since Law 61/2025, an injunction against AIMA requires that the omission compromise, in a demonstrably serious and direct manner, personal rights, freedoms and guarantees that an interim measure cannot protect (Article 87-B(2)). Without that, the remedy is the administrative action. For more details, read the full guide.

It may be possible, but the case needs to be well documented. An action to compel generally presupposes an application that obliges AIMA to decide (Article 67(1) of the CPTA). It is therefore advisable to put the request and the booking attempts on record in writing, with dates, before assessing an action.

In the administrative circuit court, generally the one for the area of the claimant's habitual residence (Article 16 of the CPTA; Article 44 of the ETAF). For someone living in Albufeira, for example, it is the court seated in Loulé. The injunction follows the rule in Article 20(5) of the CPTA.

Yes. In the administrative courts, representation by a lawyer is mandatory (Article 11(1) of the CPTA). Sene & Araújo has lawyers admitted to the Portuguese Bar Association (Ordem dos Advogados), who act directly in the proceedings.

Yes, legal aid (apoio judiciário), for those who demonstrate insufficient financial means. Foreign nationals holding a valid residence card in an EU Member State have access under the terms of the law (Article 7 of Law 34/2004). The request is made to the Social Security services (Article 22).

No. The action asks for AIMA to be ordered to decide within a set period (Article 66(1) of the CPTA). The content of the decision depends on whether the application meets the legal requirements, and the final word rests with the court and with AIMA.

An application for a grant must be decided within 90 days, extendable by 30 days in exceptional and justified circumstances, with notice to the applicant. A renewal application must be decided within 60 days (Article 82(5) and (6) of Law 23/2007). Other regimes, such as family reunification, have their own deadlines.

Up to 30 days before the card expires (Article 78(1)). The receipt for the renewal application has the same effects as the card for 60 days, a period that is renewable (Article 78(7)). According to AIMA, applications are made on the Renewals Portal, according to the card's expiration date.

It depends on the date. Permits that expired between February 22, 2020 and June 30, 2025 were accepted until October 15, 2025. After that, they are accepted upon presentation of the proof of payment for the renewal application issued by AIMA, valid for 180 days (Article 2 of Decree-Law 85-B/2025). Outside these cases, the renewal must be dealt with as soon as possible.

For procedures started since October 23, 2025, no. With Law 61/2025, the CPLP permit now requires a residence visa (Articles 75(2) and 87-A(1) of Law 23/2007), obtained at Portuguese consular posts.

While the residence permit application is pending, for reasons not attributable to the applicant, the holder of a residence visa may carry on a professional activity under the terms of the law (Article 81(4) of Law 23/2007). On renewal, the application receipt has the effects of the card for 60 days, renewable (Article 78(7)).

Since Law 61/2025, only when AIMA's omission or action compromises, in a demonstrably serious and direct manner, the timely exercise of personal rights that cannot be protected by an interim measure (Article 87-B(2)). In other cases, the remedy is an administrative action, possibly with an interim measure. The analysis depends on the evidence of concrete harm.

No. Since October 7, 2023, new applications based on the purchase of real estate or on urban regeneration are not accepted (Law 56/2023, Art. 42). The options currently in force also cannot be used, directly or indirectly, to invest in real estate. Real estate ARIs granted before that date can still be renewed.

The lowest amount is €250,000 to support artistic production or the national cultural heritage (€200,000 in low-density territories). The non-real estate fund, scientific research and commercial company with five jobs options require €500,000. It is also possible to create 10 jobs, with no minimum amount set.

7 days, consecutive or not, in the first year, and 14 days in each subsequent two-year period (Regulatory Decree 84/2007, Art. 65-C). To obtain citizenship, other requirements may apply, which should be assessed from the outset.

The initial permit is valid for two years. Each renewal is also valid for two years, provided that the investment and the other requirements are maintained (Art. 90-A(2)). After five years, you may apply for a permanent ARI.

Yes. The spouse or partner, minor or dependent children, children up to 25 years of age who are studying and dependent ascendants may apply for a permit through family reunification. This application can be filed together with the investor's, and there is no two-year waiting period (Art. 98(3)(c) of Law 23/2007).

Yes. The time as an ARI holder counts as legal residence. For Brazilians, Organic Law 1/2026 requires seven years of legal residence, added together within a maximum window of nine years, as well as knowledge of the Portuguese language and culture, adherence to democratic principles, means of subsistence and absence of criminal impediments. The decision rests with the Portuguese authorities and depends on the analysis of each case.

Not necessarily. The ARI does not create tax residence. Tax residence only arises if the criteria of Art. 16 of the CIRS are met, such as a stay of more than 183 days. Income obtained in Portugal, such as income from the investment itself, may be taxed in the country even for non-residents, and planning in line with Brazilian legislation is necessary.

According to the AIMA table, the grant of the ARI costs €8,418.90 per applicant and renewal €4,210.30. The review fee of €842.80 is added to these amounts. Digital applications have a 25% reduction. Family members pay the same amounts. We check the table in force on the date of each application.

The monthly average of income from professional activity over the last three months must equal four times the national minimum monthly wage (Arts. 18-B and 31-A of Regulatory Decree 84/2007). With the minimum wage of €920 set for 2026 (Decree-Law 139/2025), this corresponds to €3,680 per month.

The D8 was designed for activity performed for individuals or companies domiciled or headquartered outside Portugal (Art. 61-B of Law 23/2007). Those who intend to work for a Portuguese company or serve clients in Portugal should consider, before applying, the visa for employed work or for independent activity, or a change in the basis of residence after arrival.

The residence visa is used to apply for a residence permit in Portugal (Arts. 58 and 61-B of Law 23/2007). The temporary stay visa covers stays of less than one year, is valid for multiple entries and may be extended up to one year (Arts. 54 and 72), but does not, by itself, lead to a residence permit. To live in Portugal, the route is the residence visa.

Yes. The spouse, children and other family members provided for by law may apply for a residence visa to accompany the applicant, simultaneously, proving family ties and sufficient resources for everyone (Art. 58(5) of Law 23/2007; Art. 24-B of Regulatory Decree 84/2007). Once settled, reunification with family members follows the rules of Law 61/2025, which as a rule require two years of residence permit, with exceptions for minor children. See the page on the D6 visa.

It depends on whether you become a tax resident. Under Article 16 of the IRS Code (Código do IRS), this happens when you spend more than 183 days in Portugal in any 12-month period or have a home indicating habitual residence. A resident is taxed on worldwide income, and the Brazil–Portugal Convention prevents double taxation. See the page on tax residence between Brazil and Portugal.

The temporary permit may be canceled if the holder, without valid reasons, is absent for six consecutive months or eight non-consecutive months during its period of validity (Art. 85(2)(a) of Law 23/2007). Absence beyond these limits must be justified to AIMA, as a rule before departure (paragraph 3). Long absences may also affect the count of time for citizenship.

What counts is the period of legal residence in Portugal under residence cards, visas or permits provided for in the Foreigners Act. Under Organic Law 1/2026 (Lei Orgânica), Brazilians need seven years, added together within a window of nine, and the time spent waiting for AIMA's decision no longer counts. See the page on citizenship by length of residence.

It depends on the source of the money. The D8 requires active remote work and a monthly average of four times the minimum wage over the last three months (€3,680 in 2026). The D7 is intended for retirees and those who live on their own income, benchmarked to the minimum wage secured for 12 months. The choice should take into account the documents you can submit and maintain at renewals.

No. Brazil is on the list of countries exempt from the Schengen visa, and the stay may last up to 90 days in any 180-day period (MNE). At the border, proof of means, accommodation and return may be requested. To stay longer, a temporary stay visa or a residence visa is required.

The D7 is for those who live on a retirement pension or passive income, such as rent and investments. The D8 is for those who keep working, as employees or self-employed workers, for companies or clients outside Portugal, and it requires average monthly income of at least four times the minimum wage over the last three months (MNE).

Yes. When the family travels together, family members apply for a residence visa to accompany a family member simultaneously with the main applicant (Art. 58(5) of Law 23/2007). If the permit holder already lives in Portugal, the route is family reunification, requested by the holder before AIMA, which as a rule requires two years of residence, subject to the exceptions in the law.

It exists in the law, but since Law 61/2025 it has been limited to those with the technical skills defined by ministerial order (Art. 57-A). In September 2026, the MNE stated that the visa was not yet available at consular posts, pending implementing regulations (MNE).

Brazilians first need a residence visa obtained at the consulate. With it, they can apply to AIMA for the CPLP residence permit (Arts. 75(2) and 87-A of Law 23/2007, as worded by Law 61/2025). See the details on the page on residence permits.

The statutory period is 60 days for the residence visa, unless the law provides for shorter periods, and 30 days for the temporary stay visa (MNE, time frames). The visa for teaching, highly qualified or cultural activity has a 30-day period (Art. 61(3)). In practice, the time also depends on appointment availability at the consular post.

Yes. After acquiring Portuguese citizenship, a divorced person must update their marital status in Portugal through court proceedings, the special action for recognition (review) of a foreign judgment (revisão de sentença estrangeira), filed with the Court of Appeal (Tribunal da Relação) (Article 978 of the Portuguese Code of Civil Procedure). This also applies to a divorce granted by public deed at a notary's office in Brazil. A marriage, by contrast, is updated administratively, through transcription.

Once the judgment is issued, the Court sends the Civil Registry Office (Conservatória do Registo Civil) an official notice stating that the divorce has been reviewed and confirmed. From then on, the marital status is updated in the Portuguese civil registry, which is essential, for example, to register a new marriage or to renew Portuguese documents.

For the recognition of a Brazilian divorce, the documents requested include, among others, the apostilled certified copy of the judgment (Carta de Sentença), the certificate of transcription of the marriage, the Portuguese criminal record, personal documents and a power of attorney for legal representation.

• Certified copy of the divorce judgment (Carta de Sentença) with a Hague Apostille;
• Portuguese certificate of transcription of the marriage;
• Portuguese Criminal Record Certificate (valid for 3 months);
• photo identification documents of the foreign spouse (apostilled) and of the Portuguese spouse (Citizen Card);
• full-text birth certificates;
• current proof of address and power of attorney for legal representation (procuração forense).

The court costs of the special action for recognition of a foreign judgment may range from €306 to €612, depending on the specifics of the case. For comparison, a divorce by mutual consent started in Portugal, without partition, costs €280 (€625 if it includes the partition and registration of the marital assets), and other costs may be added.

Yes, at the Civil Registry Office or online. You must submit an identification document, a list of the joint assets and the agreements on parental responsibilities (if there are minor children), support for the spouse who needs it, the use of the family home and the pets, as well as the certificate of the prenuptial agreement, if any. Without an agreement, the divorce proceeds in court.

The inventory is the procedure by which the assets left by a deceased person are identified and valued. The partition follows from the inventory: it is the division of those assets among the heirs and the spouse, if any. Both procedures exist in Brazil and in Portugal, each with its own rules on when they can be carried out out of court.

Yes, by public deed at a notary's office, when the interested parties are in agreement and always with the assistance of a lawyer. Since CNJ Resolution 571/2024, this is possible even when there are minor or legally incapacitated heirs (with partition in undivided fractions and a favorable opinion from the Public Prosecutor's Office) or a will (with prior court authorization). If there is disagreement, the inventory will be judicial.

Not always. Partition by agreement can be done out of court. Inventory proceedings (Law 117/2019) may be conducted at a notary's office or in court, and are mandatorily judicial only in the cases set out in Article 1083 of the Code of Civil Procedure, for example when requested by the Public Prosecutor's Office or when they depend on other court proceedings.

It is a set of legal instruments that makes it possible to organize the transfer of a person's assets, during their lifetime or after their death, in accordance with the wishes of the person who built them. In addition to respecting those wishes, within legal limits, planning seeks to reduce potential conflicts among the heirs.

Not entirely. Succession planning organizes the transfer of assets according to the owner's wishes, but always within legal limits, such as the forced heirs' forced share. For this reason, each plan must take into account the particular features of the family and the applicable rules before defining the instruments to be used.

The feasibility of possible tax reductions is one of the points considered in the analysis. It is not an automatic result: succession planning must always be assessed individually, taking into account the particular features of each family, so that the guidance fits the specific situation.

No. To be effective in Portugal, a decision of a foreign court must be reviewed and confirmed by the Court of Appeal (Tribunal da Relação), unless a treaty, convention, European Union regulation or special law provides for a different procedure (Arts. 978 and 979 of the Code of Civil Procedure). Review is not necessary when the decision is relied on in pending proceedings merely as evidence.

The requirement is not limited to judgments of divorce or recognition of a stable union. It covers judgments of foreign courts that need to produce effects in Portugal, including civil judgments ordering payment or performance. When the judgment concerns facts subject to civil registration, such as a divorce, the final and unappealable confirmation decision is communicated to the Civil Registry Office for annotation.

Yes. The Portuguese courts have held that it does not matter whether the divorce or stable union was declared judicially or by public deed at a notary's office (Tabelionato de Notas): in both cases, the special action is mandatory. The deed has the same force as a judgment, since it is executed by the Brazilian authority legally competent for the act (for example, Lisbon Court of Appeal (TRL) judgment of October 24, 2019, Case 2403/19.8YRLSB).

The foreign judgment must be authentic, clear, final and unappealable, handed down by a competent court, with the adversarial principle respected, and compatible with Portuguese public policy.

Under Article 980 of the Code of Civil Procedure, among others:

• authenticity of the document and clarity of the decision;
• final and unappealable status in the country of origin;
• jurisdiction of the foreign court not obtained in fraud of the law;
• due service of process on the defendant and respect for the adversarial principle;
• a result compatible with Portuguese international public policy.

Review of a foreign judgment requires, among other things, an apostilled certified copy of the judgment (carta de sentença), the parties' birth certificates, personal identity documents, proof of address and a power of attorney for legal representation.

For review of a judgment of divorce, stable union or regulation of parental responsibilities:

• Certified copy of the judgment to be reviewed (carta de sentença), with the Hague Apostille;
• full-text birth certificates (inteiro teor) of the parties, apostilled;
• documents that further support proof of the stable union, if applicable;
• certified copy of personal identity documents with photo, apostilled;
• current proof of address and power of attorney for legal representation (procuração forense).

It can, but the review of that recognition must be requested. Those living in a stable union recognized judicially or extrajudicially in Brazil must bring an action for Recognition (Review) of a Foreign Judgment before the competent Court of Appeal (Tribunal da Relação), through a lawyer registered with the Portuguese Bar Association (Ordem dos Advogados). The action is mandatory for this recognition.

As a rule, a de facto union lived in Portugal may be proven by a statement from the parish council (Junta de Freguesia) (Art. 2-A of Law 7/2001 (Lei)). For citizenship purposes, however, a court decision of recognition is required, obtained in a declaratory action before the competent civil court.

Unlike Brazil, where there is no minimum period of cohabitation, in Portugal a de facto union requires the parties to have lived in conditions similar to those of spouses for more than two years (Art. 1(2) of Law 7/2001). For the acquisition of citizenship, the law requires more than three years of de facto union with a Portuguese citizen.

Among others:

• the possibility of acquiring citizenship, once the legal requirements are met;
• family reunification;
• joint taxation for IRS purposes;
• a regime equivalent to that of married persons in employment contract matters;
• protection of the family home;
• social protection in the event of the death of the beneficiary.

From Brazil's standpoint, no: the law of the betrothed's domicile at the date of the marriage applies (Article 7, § 4, of the LINDB). From Portugal's standpoint, for marriages before January 29, 2019, the rule is generally the common national law or that of the common residence at the date of the marriage (Article 53 of the Portuguese Civil Code), which usually also leads to Brazilian law. For later marriages, what counts is the first common habitual residence after the marriage (Article 26 of Regulation (EU) 2016/1103), and this is where divergence may arise.

No. Transcription registers a marriage that already exists, and its civil effects are retroactive to the date of celebration (Article 188 of the Civil Registry Code). The record states the regime (Article 181), but the regime is the one that results from the applicable law. It is therefore worth checking the regime stated in the application.

In Brazil, the change is made through the courts and requires a reasoned request by both spouses (Article 1,639, § 2, of the Civil Code; Article 734 of the CPC). In Portugal, the rule is immutability (Article 1714), with exceptions. From Portugal's standpoint, it may also be possible to change the law applicable to the regime, with effect for the future (Article 22 of Regulation (EU) 2016/1103). The choice depends on where the assets are located.

In Brazil, separation is mandatory for persons over 70 (Article 1,641, II), but it may be set aside by public deed (STF, Theme 1,236). In Portugal, the marriage of anyone who has already reached 60 is always deemed to have been contracted under separation of property (Article 1720(1)(b)). Which rule applies depends on the law governing the couple's regime.

The reciprocal waiver is valid in Portugal in a prenuptial agreement under the separation of property regime (Article 1700(1)(c) and (3)). Brazilian law does not provide for this mechanism and prohibits contracts on the inheritance of a living person (Article 426 of the Civil Code). The effect on assets in Brazil depends on the law governing the succession and must be analyzed case by case.

The partition of assets located in Brazil, in a divorce, falls within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Brazilian courts, even if one of the spouses lives abroad (Article 23, III, of the CPC). Assets in Portugal are dealt with in Portugal, where the partition may not give either spouse more than community of acquired property would (Article 1790). See the divorce page.

To leave Brazil with a child residing in Brazil, you need the other parent's authorization, with a notarized signature, or court authorization (Art. 1 of CNJ Resolution 131/2011). If the child resides abroad and residence is proven by a consular certificate issued less than two years earlier, the child may return to the country of residence with one of the parents without written authorization (Art. 2).

No. Unless expressly stated, an international travel authorization does not authorize establishing permanent residence abroad (Art. 11 of CNJ Resolution 131/2011). To move, the other parent's consent or a court decision is required.

If the child was habitually resident in Brazil or in Portugal, you can request return under the 1980 Hague Convention, through the central authority of the country of residence: ACAF in Brazil, or DGAJ in Portugal. Acting quickly matters: if proceedings start within one year, immediate return is the rule (Art. 12).

Not necessarily. In 2025, the STF ruled that the grave risk exception in Art. 13(1)(b) applies when there is objective and concrete evidence of domestic violence, even if the child is not a direct victim (ADIs 4,245 and 7,686). Each case depends on evidence and is decided by the Federal Courts. Documenting the facts and seeking legal support early makes a difference.

No. To take effect in Portugal, it must be reviewed and confirmed by the Court of Appeal (Tribunal da Relação) (Arts. 978 to 980 of the Portuguese Code of Civil Procedure). Conversely, a Portuguese decision generally requires recognition by the STJ. The 1996 Hague Convention does not apply between the two countries, because Brazil is not a party.

In Portugal, a child capable of understanding is heard, according to age and maturity, preferably with the support of technical advisers (Arts. 4 and 5 of the RGPTC). In return requests, the objection of a child of sufficient age and maturity may justify refusal (Art. 13 of the 1980 Convention). In Brazil, CNJ Resolution 449/2022 requires the judge to hear the child when this defense is raised (Art. 16).

Not necessarily. The heir may be represented by an attorney-in-fact, with a power of attorney executed in one of the forms set out in Article 116 of the Notarial Code and, preferably, apostilled in Brazil. At the Inheritance Desk, the first appointment can be held by videoconference, but the act is performed with all parties present, in person or through an attorney-in-fact (IRN).

The most important deadline is for reporting the death and the assets to the Tax Authority: by the end of the 3rd month following the death (Article 26(3) of the Stamp Duty Code). The declaration of heirs and the partition themselves have no fixed deadline, but the right to accept the inheritance lapses ten years after the heir learns that they have been called to the succession (Article 2059 of the Portuguese Civil Code).

No. Descendants, ascendants and the spouse or de facto partner are exempt from item 1.2 (Article 6(1)(e) of the Stamp Duty Code). The exemption does not waive the report to the Tax Authority, and item 1.1, at 0.8%, does not apply to inheritances. Other heirs pay 10% on the assets located in Portugal.

A simple declaration of heirs costs €150; with registration of the assets in co-ownership, €375; with partition and registrations, €425. Additional amounts apply for each additional asset, database consultations and, where applicable, €50 when the estates of husband and wife are handled together. Taxes are not included (IRN; justica.gov.pt).

No. An out-of-court inventory deed at a Brazilian notary's office cannot include assets abroad (CNJ Resolution 35/2007, Art. 29), and assets located in Portugal are subject to the declaration of heirs, registration and partition before the Portuguese authorities. What should be done is to coordinate the two procedures, so that the applicable law and the forced heirship share are handled consistently.

The declaration of heirs is title for the withdrawal of funds (Article 86 of the Notarial Code), in favor of all the heirs jointly. Before that, the bank must verify that Stamp Duty has been paid or, if an exemption applies, that the report has been filed with the Tax Authority (Article 63-A of the Stamp Duty Code). Each bank has its own internal procedures for this request.

If the divorce dealt only with the dissolution of the marriage, no: it can be annotated directly at the civil registry office where the marriage is recorded, without a lawyer (Art. 961, § 5, of the CPC; Art. 464 of the National Code of Rules). If it also regulated custody, support or partition, it requires prior recognition by the STJ.

No. Provision 53/2016 is listed as revoked by Provision 149/2023, which established the National Code of Rules for Extrajudicial Services. The same rules are now in Arts. 464 to 467 of that Code, which also accept an apostille instead of consular legalization.

The CPC requires a sworn translation for documents written in a foreign language (Art. 192, sole paragraph, of the CPC), and Portuguese decisions are in Portuguese. Attached documents in another language require translation. In the case of direct annotation, it is advisable to confirm with the registry office whether there is any local requirement.

Yes. The Ministry of Justice states that the application is made by a petition signed by a lawyer registered with the OAB and addressed to the President of the STJ. The exceptions are direct annotation of a pure uncontested divorce, which does not require a lawyer, and support claims under the 2007 Hague Convention, which are processed through the Central Authority.

No. The partition of assets located in Brazil, in a divorce or dissolution of a stable union, falls within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Brazilian courts, and the foreign decision is not recognized in that part (Arts. 23, III, and 964 of the CPC). The divorce can be recognized and the partition carried out in Brazil, before a notary or in court.

The STJ does not publish an official average timeframe. The time depends mainly on service of process on the other party and on whether the application is contested: if uncontested, the application is decided by the President of the STJ; if contested, it goes to the Special Court (Arts. 216-H and 216-K of the RISTJ).

You can apply for recognition and enforcement of the Brazilian decision in Portugal under the 2007 Hague Convention, through the DRCI of the Ministry of Justice, using the forms indicated by the MJ. The application is transmitted to the DGAJ, and enforcement follows Portuguese law, which allows direct deduction from salary or other income (Art. 48 of the RGPTC).

Yes. The Convention allows an application for establishment of a decision in the requested State, including determination of parentage, through the central authority (Art. 10(1)(c) of Decree 9,176/2017). It is also possible to bring the action in Brazil when the creditor resides here or the defendant has ties to the country (Art. 22, I, of the CPC).

No. The PGR handles applications under the 1956 New York Convention (Art. 26 of Law 5,478/1968), but between Brazil and Portugal the 2007 Hague Convention applies, replacing it. The Ministry of Justice states that applications for Portugal are sent to the DRCI.

The Convention covers support owed to children under 21 (Art. 2). In Portugal, support established during minority generally continues until age 25 if the child's education or training has not been completed (Art. 1905(2) of the Portuguese Civil Code). In Brazil, the analysis depends on the child's needs and the payer's resources (Art. 1,694 of the Civil Code).

There is a limit: if the decision was made in the country where the creditor is habitually resident, the debtor generally cannot seek modification in another country while the creditor continues to live there (Art. 18 of Decree 9,176/2017). The Ministry of Justice states that Brazilian decisions must be modified in Brazil.

In applications for support for children under 21, the requested State provides free legal assistance (Art. 15 of the Convention). In Portugal, the DGAJ states that applications to establish, modify and collect support are free of charge. There may be expenses for certificates and translations.

Yes. Art. 23, II, of the CPC reserves to the Brazilian courts the inventory and partition of assets located in Brazil, even if the deceased was domiciled abroad. If the heirs have full legal capacity and are in agreement, the inventory may be carried out before a notary, with a lawyer. Assets in Portugal are dealt with separately, before the Portuguese authorities.

Before Portugal and the other EU Member States, yes: Art. 22 of Regulation (EU) 650/2012 allows a person to choose, in a will, the law of the country of which they are a national. Brazilian law, however, does not provide for this choice and applies the law of the domicile (Art. 10 of the LINDB). Before making the choice, it is advisable to assess how it will be treated in Brazil.

On transfers on death, descendants, ascendants and the spouse or de facto partner are exempt from Stamp Duty under item 1.2 (Art. 6(1)(e) of the Stamp Duty Code). The exemption does not waive the obligation to report to the Tax Authority by the end of the 3rd month after the death (Art. 26). Other heirs — siblings or nephews and nieces, for example — are subject to the 10% rate on assets located in Portugal.

Under Complementary Law 227/2026 (Lei Complementar), real estate in Brazil is taxed by the State where it is located (Art. 158, I). For movable assets, investments and equity interests of someone who was domiciled abroad, jurisdiction lies with the State of the heir's domicile; if the heir also lives abroad, with the State where the assets are located (Art. 159). The rate depends on that State's law.

As a rule, yes, as to form: Portugal applies Art. 27 of the Regulation, which treats as valid a will made in accordance with the law of the place where it was executed or of the testator's nationality, domicile or residence, among others. Those who are also Portuguese citizens must follow a solemn form, such as the public will (Art. 2223 of the Portuguese Civil Code). The content — above all the forced share — will be assessed under the law governing the succession.

It is not mandatory, but when there are significant assets in both countries, two coordinated wills usually make the inventory in Brazil and the declaration of heirs in Portugal easier. What matters is that one does not unintentionally revoke the other and that both are consistent as to the applicable law and the forced share.

Not with the effects provided for in the Regulation. The certificate was created for use in other EU Member States (Arts. 62 and 63). In Brazil, the partition of assets located there is carried out in the Brazilian inventory proceedings.

As a rule, they are paid directly to the named beneficiaries. The STF ruled out levying ITCMD on these amounts (Topic 1,214), and LC 227/2026 provides that the tax does not apply (Art. 150, III). On the civil law side, STJ case law allows exceptions when the plan functioned as an investment, and the issue must be analyzed case by case, including with regard to the heirs' forced share.

Yes. A will that is valid as to form may cover assets in both countries. With significant assets in both, however, two coordinated wills usually make the procedures easier: in Brazil, the will must be opened and ordered to be fulfilled in court (Arts. 735 to 737 of the CPC); in Portugal, the certificate of the will supports the declaration of heirs. What matters is that one does not unintentionally revoke the other.

As to form, Portugal applies Art. 27 of Regulation (EU) 650/2012, which accepts, among others, the law of the place where the will was made. For those with Portuguese citizenship, however, Art. 2223 of the Portuguese Civil Code requires a solemn form for a will made abroad. In addition, a private will requires confirmation by the Brazilian courts (Art. 23, II, and Art. 737 of the CPC). For this reason, with assets in Portugal, the public will is usually the safer option.

Before Portugal, yes: the law chosen under Art. 22 of the Regulation governs the disposable portion and the forced share (Art. 23(2)(h)). In Brazil, however, the LINDB does not provide for a choice of law and requires the law of the deceased's domicile to be applied (Art. 10). If the domicile was in Portugal, the Brazilian judge or notary may apply Portuguese law to the assets located in Brazil.

In Portugal, you request the certificate on the existence of a will, online or at the Central Registry Office; the online request costs 25 euros (justica.gov.pt). In Brazil, the search is made in CENSEC's Central Online Registry of Wills, whose certificate is mandatory for the inventory (CNJ Provision 56/2016). With assets in both countries, it is advisable to search both registries.

As a rule, yes. As to form, a will that complied with the law of the place where it was made is valid (Art. 27 of the Regulation). As to content, the change of residence may change the law governing the succession and, with it, the forced share. For this reason, moving to another country is a good time to review the will.

They may. In Portugal, dispositions in favor of the spouse lapse if, at the date of death, the couple is divorced or judicially separated as to persons and property (Art. 2317(d) of the Portuguese Civil Code). In Brazil, there is revocation of the will by operation of law (rompimento do testamento) if a descendant is born whom the testator did not have or did not know of when making the will and who survives the testator (Art. 1,973 of the Brazilian Civil Code). In both cases, the advisable course is to review the will.

Yes. A private limited company (sociedade por quotas), a single-member private limited company or a public limited company (sociedade anónima) can be incorporated entirely online, through the Empresa Online service on the Justice portal (justica.gov.pt). There is also the in-person alternative of the Empresa na Hora service, which allows the company to be incorporated on the same day. Later, changes such as moving the registered office, changing the business activity or amending the articles of association can also be made online.

Online incorporation requires authentication by one of these means:

• Citizen Card (Cartão de Cidadão);
• Digital Mobile Key (Chave Móvel Digital), including the one linked to a passport;
• eIDAS authentication.

The procedure can also be carried out by a lawyer or solicitador with a professional digital certificate. Those who prefer to go in person can use the Empresa na Hora service, which allows the company to be incorporated on the same day.

Incorporation does not end the process. Once incorporated, the company must still comply with obligations such as filing a declaration with the Central Register of Beneficial Owners (Registo Central do Beneficiário Efetivo, RCBE). Throughout the life of the company, requests such as changing the registered office, changing the business activity or amending the articles of association are available through online services, which makes managing the company easier over time.

As a rule, no. The reciprocity regime between the Portuguese OA and the OAB, which waived the traineeship and the bar admission exam, was terminated by the OA with effect from July 5, 2023, safeguarding only the registration proceedings then under way. Law 6/2024 repealed paragraph 2 of Article 201 of the Statute, which provided for that regime, and Regulation 913-C/2015 was also repealed.

Currently, a lawyer who graduated in Brazil must, as a rule:

• obtain recognition of their law degree in Portugal;
• complete the traineeship provided for in the Statute of the Portuguese Bar Association;
• pass the bar admission exam.

The requirements and documents are set by the Statute and by the registration regulations in force and should be confirmed with the Portuguese Bar Association before starting the process.

No. Brazilian lawyers who were already registered with the Portuguese Bar Association under the former reciprocity regime keep their registration. The termination of the regime, with effect from July 5, 2023, affects new applications; registration proceedings under way on that date were also safeguarded.

Yes, Portuguese or Brazilian lawyers with a proper diploma from a Portuguese law school may register with the OAB, subject to the common registration requirements.

Provision 37/69 of the OAB Federal Council establishes that Portuguese or Brazilian lawyers holding proper diplomas issued by Portuguese law schools or institutes may register on the OAB roll, subject to the common registration requirements of the laws of Brazil or Portugal applicable to their nationals.

• identification of the owners and the buyers;
• Permanent Land Registry Certificate (Certidão Permanente do Registo Predial or Certidão de Teor);
• Property tax record (Caderneta Predial or Certidão Matricial);
• Energy Certificate;
• proof of payment of IMT and Stamp Duty.

Depending on the case, the mortgage discharge and the pre-emption rights letters may also be mandatory.

They are no longer required for the deed under Decree-Law 10/2024, but it is still advisable to check them before closing the deal. The previous deed, the condominium meeting minutes and the floor plans of the property are also not mandatory, but they can add security to the transaction. These documents should be reviewed after choosing the property and before signing.

Not necessarily. In Portugal, the purchase and sale of real estate may be formalized by a public deed executed by a notary, or by a private authenticated document prepared by a lawyer, solicitor (solicitador) or registrar (conservador), for example at the Casa Pronta desk. As a rule, the fees charged vary according to the transaction value of the property and are added to the taxes, document preparation and registration.

• IMT: paid before the deed, calculated on the higher of the price and the tax registered value (VPT). Since May 2026, the acquisition of residential properties by non-residents is, as a rule, subject to a single rate of 7.5%, except for the exceptions provided by law;
• Stamp Duty (Imposto do Selo): as a rule, 0.8% of the acquisition value, paid with IMT.

Exemptions may apply, such as the one for lower-value own permanent homes and IMT Jovem.

Yes. The owner pays IMI (Municipal Property Tax, Imposto Municipal sobre Imóveis) every year, similar to Brazil's IPTU. The rate is set annually by the municipality where the property is located and ranges from 0.3% to 0.45%. In some cases of own permanent homes, a 3-year exemption may be available. High-value real estate holdings may also be subject to the Additional IMI (AIMI).

A service agreement or a real estate purchase and sale contract is one of the most complex and important documents in formalizing transactions. The correct interpretation of each clause has relevant legal effects. A lawyer's review helps avoid conflicting or abusive clauses and helps ensure that the parties fully understand the document, reducing the risk of problems or financial losses.

The elements considered during the review include:

• payment deadlines;
• termination penalties;
• the presence of conflicting information or abusive clauses.

The review also seeks to ensure that the parties fully understand the document, so that the goods or services are delivered as agreed.

Both. Legal advice can cover both the drafting of service agreements or contracts for the acquisition of assets, including real estate purchases and sales, and the review of a document you intend to sign. In both cases, the purpose is to preserve the integrity of the relationship between the parties and the clarity of the obligations undertaken.

The NIF is the tax identification number, similar to the Brazilian CPF, which identifies a person before the Portuguese Tax and Customs Authority (Autoridade Tributária e Aduaneira). It is essential for virtually everything you may want to do in the country, such as renting a home, buying property, signing an employment contract, enrolling in school or opening a company.

Yes. The NIF can be obtained even by those who do not reside in Portugal. Those who do not live in the country can obtain it as nonresidents, without having to appoint a tax representative at the time of the application. The need for a representative may arise later, if the person comes to have a tax-related legal relationship in Portugal.

If a resident outside the European Union and the European Economic Area comes to have a tax-related legal relationship in Portugal (real estate, a vehicle, an employment contract or a business activity), they must, within 15 days, appoint a tax representative domiciled in Portugal or sign up for electronic notifications. For self-employed activity, a VAT tax representative remains mandatory. For residents of the EU, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, the appointment is optional.

No. The application can be made online, through the e-balcão service of the Tax Authority portal (Portal das Finanças), by a legal representative (attorney-in-fact) with access to the Portal, with no need to travel to Portugal, provided the applicant has all the required documents at hand.

If the attorney-in-fact is also the tax representative, this must be stated in the power of attorney.

To apply for the NIF you need a power of attorney, a copy of a valid identification document, a document showing the address abroad, if necessary, and identification of the attorney-in-fact.

• a power of attorney granting powers for this purpose (stating, where applicable, that the attorney-in-fact is also the tax representative);
• a copy of a valid civil identification document, for example a passport;
• a document showing the address abroad, if it does not appear on the identification document;
• a copy of the attorney-in-fact's identification document.

It should not. Since IN RFB 2,299/2025, retirement and survivor pensions paid to residents abroad follow the monthly progressive tax table, with the reduction table applicable since January 1, 2026. If 25% continues to be withheld, you need to check whether the INSS has a record that the beneficiary resides abroad and request the correction, and the amount over-withheld may be the subject of a refund.

Yes, as to the difference between what was withheld and what would have been due under the progressive table. The deadline is 5 years (Article 168 of the CTN), so the oldest withholdings progressively can no longer be recovered. The claim may be administrative (PER/DCOMP) or judicial.

No. Under the Brazil–Portugal Convention, pensions paid by the social security system of a State may be taxed only in that State (Article 18(2)). Portugal may, however, take that income into account to calculate the tax rate on the resident's other income (Article 23(4)).

No. The agreement allows periods to be added together to qualify for the benefit, but each country calculates and pays its share based on the periods completed under its own law (Article 11 of the Agreement). Anyone already receiving from the INSS continues to receive from the INSS, even while living in Portugal (Article 6).

Yes. The INSS accepts certificates issued by notaries or by municipal bodies, such as parish councils, provided they are apostilled. The document is valid for 90 days and must be sent through Meu INSS or by mail (Correios), not by email (INSS).

As a rule, no. The IFICI applies the 20% rate only to employment and self-employment income earned in qualifying activities (Article 58-A of the EBF). Pensions are category H income and are excluded. In any case, under the convention the INSS pension is taxable only in Brazil.

For permanent housing on a fixed term, the term may not be shorter than one year or longer than 30 years (Art. 1095(2) of the Civil Code). The minimum does not apply to leases for non-permanent housing or temporary purposes, such as work, study or tourism, provided the reason is stated in the agreement (paragraph 3). If the agreement does not state a term, it is deemed to have been entered into for five years (Art. 1094(3)).

The Civil Code only allows rent to be paid in advance, with a written agreement, for up to two months, and limits the security deposit to two months' rent (Art. 1076 of the Civil Code, as worded since January 1, 2023). Requests above these limits should be reviewed before any payment is made.

The law does not require a guarantor, nor does it require the guarantor to be Portuguese. A guarantor is one of the forms of security the landlord may ask for. Common alternatives are a bank surety, a security deposit within the legal limit and rent insurance policies available on the market. If there is a guarantor, the landlord must notify them of the default within the following 90 days before claiming payment from them (Art. 1041(5) and (6) of the Civil Code).

The landlord notifies the AT of the lease on the Form 2 return, by the end of the month following the start of the lease, and pays Stamp Duty of 10% of one month's rent (Art. 60 and item 2 of the General Table of the Stamp Duty Code). If the landlord does not give notice, the tenant may do so (Art. 60(4)).

Under a fixed-term lease, once one third of the term has elapsed, the tenant may leave at any time with 120 days' notice if the term is one year or more, or 60 days' notice if it is shorter. Termination takes effect at the end of a calendar month (Art. 1098(3) and (5) of the Civil Code). Without full notice, the rent for the missing period is payable (paragraph 6). Notice is given by registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt (Art. 9 of the NRAU).

If the lease does not set a different regime, the rent may be updated once a year using the official coefficient, with 30 days' written notice (Art. 1077 of the Civil Code). For 2026, the coefficient is 1.0224, that is, 2.24% (Notice 23174/2025/2 (Aviso)). The 2027 coefficient is due to be published in the Diário da República by October 30, 2026.

The law requires residence permit applicants to have accommodation (Art. 77(1) of Law 23/2007), and a written lease notified to the Tax Authority is the document most often used as that proof. The list of accepted documents is set by AIMA and the consulates. See residence permit.

In a residential lease, the landlord is responsible for maintenance works, ordinary or extraordinary, unless otherwise agreed. The tenant may only carry out works with written authorization or when the lease allows it, except for urgent repairs, which are later reimbursed (Arts. 1036 and 1074 of the Civil Code).

Not necessarily. The deed can be signed by an attorney-in-fact holding a public power of attorney with special powers to sell (Arts. 657 and 661 of the Civil Code), executed at the Brazilian consulate or before a Portuguese notary with an apostille. It is also possible to sign remotely through e-Notariado, by videoconference, before the competent notary (Art. 302 of CNJ Provision 149/2023).

The capital gain is taxed under the rules for residents (Art. 18 of Law 9,249/1995), at rates from 15% to 22.5% depending on the amount of the gain (Art. 21 of Law 8,981/1995). However, the exemptions and reductions available to residents do not apply to non-residents, and any cost that is not supported by evidence is deemed to be zero (Art. 26 of SRF Normative Instruction 208/2002).

If the buyer lives in Brazil, the law makes the buyer responsible for withholding and paying the tax; if the buyer also lives abroad, the responsibility passes to the buyer's attorney-in-fact (Art. 26 of Law 10,833/2003). The tax is due on the date of the sale (IRPF 2026 Questions and Answers, question 655). In practice, it is advisable to set out in the deed who withholds the tax and how payment will be evidenced.

Yes, with an apostille issued in Portugal (Apostille Convention, Decree 8,660/2016). As it is in Portuguese, it does not need translation (Art. 148 of Law 6,015/1973). Before the transaction, confirm with the Brazilian notary's office whether prior registration with the Registry of Deeds and Documents (Títulos e Documentos) will be required (Art. 129, item 6).

Yes, if all the heirs have legal capacity and are in agreement. An heir who lives abroad is represented under a public power of attorney with special powers (Art. 12 of CNJ Resolution 35/2007), and the choice of notary is free. The ITCMD on the property is due to the State where it is located (Art. 158, I, of Complementary Law 227/2026).

It depends on when you left. Within five years from the tax year following the departure, you file the Definitive Departure Tax Return, even if late. After that period, regularization is done only in the CPF, by email to the Receita Federal, with the documents listed in question 126 of the IRPF 2026 Questions and Answers. Without a regular CPF, deeds and inventory proceedings tend to stall.

As a rule, no. In the list of degrees published by the DGES, the Brazilian degrees eligible for automatic recognition are master's and doctoral degrees from programs rated 5, 6 or 7 by CAPES. For undergraduate degrees, the route is level recognition or specific recognition, requested from a Portuguese public higher education institution that awards the degree in the same field (Arts. 17 and 20 of Decree-Law 66/2018).

Level recognition confirms that the degree is of a level equivalent to a Portuguese degree (licenciatura, mestrado or doutoramento), without reference to a specific field. Specific recognition compares the level, duration and content of the program in a given field, may include tests and assigns a grade on the Portuguese scale (Arts. 3, 6 and 20 of Decree-Law 66/2018). Professional associations usually require specific recognition or equivalence. Always confirm the association's requirement before applying.

Not necessarily. Recognition does not exempt you from the other conditions for access to the profession (Art. 4(7) of Decree-Law 66/2018). You must register with the relevant professional association, which may have its own requirements, such as the communication test at the Ordem dos Médicos. For lawyers, see the Practicing law in Portugal page.

There is no need to wait. According to the DGE, conditional enrollment is available while the process is under way. In the cases covered by the equivalence tables, such as Brazil, equivalence is granted by the school itself. The service is free of charge, and the reference time frame is 30 days after all documents are submitted; they must be legalized or apostilled.

No. CNE/CES Resolution 2/2024 prohibits concurrent applications for the same process at more than one university. For the application to proceed, it must include proof of the search on the Carolina Bori Platform for any earlier application with the same content (Art. 26, §§ 7 and 8). If the application is refused, it is possible to try another university after the internal appeals have been exhausted (Art. 27).

The decision may be challenged under the Code of Administrative Procedure: a complaint within 15 days and a hierarchical appeal, where applicable (Arts. 191 and 193 of the CPA). It is also possible to bring an action before the administrative court, as a rule within three months (Arts. 58 and 69 of the CPTA). If level recognition is refused, you may still apply for specific recognition of the same degree (Art. 19(4) of Decree-Law 66/2018). The strategy depends on the grounds given for the decision.

That is not its effect. Definitive departure changes the person's tax status, and they become a non-resident. In fact, anyone who continues to hold real estate, vehicles, equity interests, accounts or investments in Brazil must keep their CPF registration (Art. 5 of IN SRF 208/2002).

Yes. On the service page, the Receita Federal provides that anyone who became a non-resident more than 6 years ago and did not file the notice should send the documents to the email address indicated. A departure return filed late is subject to the penalties of Art. 13 of IN SRF 208/2002. Before regularizing, it is advisable to gather evidence of the actual date of the move.

As a rule, from the first day of the period of stay in Portugal, if one of the criteria of Art. 16 of the CIRS is met (more than 183 days, or a home with the intention of habitual residence). Anyone who was resident on any day of the previous year is resident from the first day of the year (Art. 16(3) of the CIRS).

Not automatically. Tax residence depends on the criteria of Art. 16 of the CIRS, not on the type of residence document. It is possible to hold a residence permit and remain a tax resident in Brazil, and the reverse is also possible.

Under each country's domestic law, yes. For the purposes of the Brazil–Portugal Convention, the person is considered resident of only one of the States, under the successive criteria of Art. 4(2): permanent home, center of vital interests, habitual abode, nationality and, finally, agreement between the authorities.

The NHR was revoked by Law 82/2023, with a transitional regime. IFICI (Art. 58-A of the EBF) is a different and narrower regime: it applies the 20% rate only to employment or self-employment income earned in qualifying activities. Pensions are excluded, so IFICI is not, as a rule, an option for retirees.

Portuguese certificates of birth, marriage and death records are frequently required, as well as the corresponding Brazilian certificates. Because many of these records are old, locating them can be difficult, and obtaining them is an important step in putting together the citizenship application.

It is common to have difficulty locating certificates, especially because many are old. For this reason, the firm offers a search service for Portuguese and Brazilian certificates, which helps in putting together the citizenship application. Each case is reviewed individually based on the information available about the family.

Yes. The search service covers both Portuguese and Brazilian certificates, including birth, marriage and death records. The aim is to gather the documents needed to support the citizenship application. For details about your case, you can contact the team by WhatsApp or email.

It is the correction of information or data contained in a civil registry entry, such as birth, marriage and death records, made by the Civil Registry Offices for Natural Persons. Correction presupposes the existence of an error in the record and may be made through administrative or court proceedings, as the case may be.

In certain cases, yes. Article 110 of Law 6,015/73 (as amended by Law 13,484/2017) allows the registrar to correct directly, at the request of the interested party and without court authorization or an opinion from the Public Prosecutor's Office, errors that can be verified immediately and other situations provided for in the article itself. In all other cases, the correction follows the court procedure.

In cases not covered by Article 110, the court procedure under Article 109 of Law 6,015/73 applies. The action must be filed in the court of the interested person's domicile or in the court of the place of the registry office where the entry is kept. As a rule, it falls under non-contentious (voluntary) jurisdiction and must be brought by a lawyer before the competent judge.

Transcription is the act by which a marriage or death registered abroad is entered in the Portuguese civil registry. Once completed, it is annotated on the Portuguese citizen's birth record, which is thus updated with the events that occurred outside Portugal.

Keeping one's marital status up to date in the Portuguese civil registry is a responsibility of Portuguese citizens residing outside Portugal. For this reason, a marriage celebrated abroad should be transcribed, so that it appears in the Portuguese registry and is annotated on the birth record. The same applies to a death registered abroad.

With the events that occurred abroad already transcribed and annotated on the birth record, the registration is up to date, which speeds up the renewal of Portuguese identity documents, such as the Citizen Card (Cartão de Cidadão) and the passport. For this reason, it is advisable to arrange the transcription of a marriage or death that occurred abroad.

No. Portuguese law requires translation only for documents written in a foreign language (Art. 49(8) of the Civil Registry Code; Art. 44(3) of the Notarial Code), and a Brazilian certificate is in Portuguese. What is usually required is the apostille, issued in Brazil.

At a notary or registry office (cartório) registered in the CNJ apostille system. Notary and registry offices in the state capitals are required to provide the service, and any registered office may issue an apostille, regardless of its specialty or of the city where the document was issued (Arts. 3 and 4 of the National Code of Rules). The delivery time may not exceed five days (Art. 9).

The Public Prosecutor's Office (Ministério Público): the Office of the Prosecutor General of the Republic, in Lisbon, and, by delegation, the Regional Prosecutor General's Offices and the coordinating prosecutors designated by the Public Prosecutor's Office. Electronic documents receive an electronic apostille, requested at apostila.ministeriopublico.pt. The fee reported by the Public Prosecutor's Office in September 2026 is €10.20 per apostille.

The Apostille Convention sets no validity period for the apostille. What usually has a time limit is the certificate: some rules and bodies require recently issued documents, such as the certificate of capacity to marry for a wedding in Portugal, which must be less than six months old (Art. 166 of the Civil Registry Code). If the certificate is reissued, the new one must be apostilled.

The short-form certificate (breve relato) contains only the information required by law and can be requested by anyone. The full-text certificate (inteiro teor) reproduces the entire record, with notes and annotations, and requires a written application with a notarized signature or a digital signature (Arts. 113, 115 and 117 of the National Code of Rules). In proceedings abroad, the full-text certificate is usually the one required.

It depends on the destination authority. Italian consulates in Brazil usually accept a translation by a Brazilian public translator, also apostilled; in Spain, a Spanish sworn translator-interpreter is commonly required; in Germany, each authority decides what it accepts. In Brazil, a translation that is to be apostilled must be done by a public translator and receives its own apostille, in addition to the one on the original (Art. 15 of the National Code of Rules). See the pages on Spain, Italy and Germany.

Yes. Lawyers, solicitors and chambers of commerce and industry may certify, or make and certify, translations, with the same evidentiary force as a notarial act (Arts. 5 and 6 of Decree-Law 237/2001). The act is only valid if it is recorded in the dedicated computer system (Art. 38(3) of Decree-Law 76-A/2006).

The discrepancy must be corrected in the original record before the application, because the apostille and the translation do not change the content of the certificate. In Brazil, the correction is made through correction of public records, at a notary or registry office or in court, depending on the case.

No. The signatures of Brazilian consular authorities are valid throughout Brazil, with legalization waived (Art. 1, § 1, of Decree 8,742/2016), and the Apostille Convention does not apply to documents executed by consular agents (Art. 1 of Decree 8,660/2016).

No. Translation is required for documents in a foreign language (Art. 148 of Law 6,015/1973), and a Portuguese power of attorney is in Portuguese. It does, however, need an apostille issued in Portugal by the Public Prosecutor's Office. Before using it, confirm with the Brazilian notary's office or public body whether it will require registration with the Registry of Deeds and Documents (Títulos e Documentos) (Art. 129(6)).

No. Lawyers and solicitors may certify signatures in Portugal (Art. 38 of Decree-Law 76-A/2006 (Decreto-Lei)), but the result is a private document. To sell property that requires a public deed, the power of attorney must be public, with special and express powers to dispose of the property (Arts. 108, 657 and 661, § 1, of the Civil Code). In that case, use the consulate, a Portuguese notary with an apostille, or e-Notariado.

The CNJ rule does not exclude people living abroad. The electronic public power of attorney is executed, by videoconference, by the notary of the grantor's domicile or of the place where the property is located (Art. 303, sole paragraph, of the CNJ National Code of Rules). Since proof of domicile follows its own criteria (Art. 304), confirm with the notary, before you start, which jurisdiction criterion the notary will apply to your case.

Neither Brazil nor Portugal has a general time limit set by law. There are time limits for certain acts: ninety days for marriage in Brazil (Art. 1,542, § 3, of the Civil Code) and thirty days for an uncontested divorce before a notary (Art. 36 of CNJ Resolution 35/2007). In practice, many entities ask for a recent certificate of the power of attorney; the accepted time frame varies and should be confirmed with whoever will receive it.

Yes. The power of attorney must contain special powers, the express designation of the other party to the marriage and the form of the marriage (Art. 1620 of the Portuguese Civil Code), and only one of the parties to the marriage may be represented (Art. 44 of the Civil Registry Code). In Brazil, a power of attorney for marriage is a public instrument, with special powers, and is valid for ninety days (Art. 1,542 of the Civil Code).

Yes, as a rule. Since June 27, 2024, German law no longer requires renunciation of the previous nationality upon naturalization, and a German who acquires another nationality no longer loses German nationality. On the Brazilian side, Constitutional Amendment 131/2023 provides for loss of Brazilian nationality only upon the express request of the person concerned.

No. The three-year route, created on June 27, 2024, was repealed by an act published in BGBl. 2025 I Nr. 256, in force since October 30, 2025. Today, naturalization requires at least five years of lawful residence in Germany, B1 German, passing the naturalization test (or a German school-leaving certificate), means of subsistence and the other requirements of § 10 StAG.

It depends on the chain of transmission. German citizenship passes from father or mother to child at birth (§ 4 StAG), with different rules depending on the period: until 1974, as a rule, only the father transmitted it in the case of married parents. If each generation acquired the nationality and no one lost it, you may already be German and only need to prove it, for example with the certificate of nationality issued by the Bundesverwaltungsamt. If transmission was interrupted by former gender-discriminatory rules, there may be a right to acquisition by declaration (§ 5 StAG). Each case requires a review of the documents.

Under § 4(4) StAG, a child born abroad to a German father or mother who was also born abroad after December 31, 1999, and who resides outside Germany, does not automatically acquire German nationality, unless the child would otherwise be stateless. Acquisition occurs if registration of the birth in the German civil register is applied for, including through the German mission, within one year of the birth (German diplomatic missions in Brazil).

The right of declaration has been in force since August 20, 2021 and, under § 5(3) StAG, may only be exercised within ten years, that is, until August 2031. The declaration is made to the Bundesverwaltungsamt and is free of charge. It benefits persons born after May 23, 1949 who were excluded by former gender-discriminatory rules, such as children of a German mother and a foreign father born before 1975, and their descendants.

According to the Federal Employment Agency, the minimum gross annual salary in 2026 is €50,700 in the general case and €45,934.20 for shortage occupations and for recent graduates of no more than three years. At the reduced threshold, approval from the Federal Employment Agency is required. A recognized or comparable higher-education degree and a job offer of at least six months are also required. The amounts are updated every year.

It depends on the purpose. Under § 41 AufenthV, Brazilians who do not intend to work (for example, to study or to live with their spouse) may enter without a visa and apply for the residence permit at the Ausländerbehörde within 90 days of entry. Those who intend to work must, as a rule, apply for a national visa at the German mission in Brazil before traveling.

According to the German diplomatic missions in Brazil, students must show at least €992 per month, or €11,904 per year, usually in a blocked account (Sperrkonto) opened before the visa application. For preparatory courses, the amount is €1,091 per month (€13,092 per year). The amounts may be updated, so they should be confirmed at the time of application.

No. German law does not provide for residence granted solely in exchange for investment. The closest route is the self-employment permit (§ 21 AufenthG), which requires a business with an economic interest or regional need, positive effects on the economy and secured financing. The law sets no minimum investment amount.

Two years of legal and continuous residence immediately preceding the application, for Brazilians by birth (Art. 22 of the Civil Code). The period drops to one year in cases such as one year of marriage to a Spanish national, or descent from a father, mother, grandfather or grandmother who was originally Spanish. Naturalized Brazilians are, as a rule, subject to the general ten-year period.

No. Spain exempts nationals of Ibero-American countries, such as Brazil, from renouncing their previous nationality (Art. 23(b) of the Civil Code). Since Constitutional Amendment 131/2023, a Brazilian loses Brazilian citizenship only upon express request. Even without a bilateral treaty, it is possible to keep both.

Yes. The DELE exemption applies only to those who already hold a DELE A2 or higher and to nationals of countries where Spanish is an official language, and Brazil is not on that list (Real Decreto 1004/2015, Art. 6.5). Applicants must also pass the CCSE, an exam on the Spanish Constitution and Spanish society administered in Spain. Minors under 18 are exempt from both exams.

As a rule, no. A student permit is an estancia (stay), not residence, and Spanish courts have held that this time does not count toward the two years. The count begins when the person obtains a residence permit.

Not for new applications. The deadline under Ley 20/2022, already extended once, expired on October 22, 2025. Those who filed their application within the deadline continue with the procedure. Grandchildren of Spanish nationals by origin can still obtain citizenship after one year of legal residence in Spain (Art. 22.2.f of the Civil Code). There are reform proposals in Parliament, but none had been approved as of September 2026.

No. Ley Orgánica 1/2025 abolished all types of investor residence as of April 3, 2025. Applications filed before that date are decided under the previous law, and permits already granted may be renewed under the rules in force on the date of the initial grant.

Real Decreto 1155/2024 (Art. 62) requires financial means equivalent to 400% of the IPREM per month for the main applicant plus 100% of the IPREM per month for each dependent family member, calculated for the duration of the permit. The visa does not allow work, and renewal requires more than 183 days of actual residence per year.

Yes. Under the international telework, highly qualified professional and entrepreneur routes (Ley 14/2013), the family may apply together with the main applicant. Under the other routes, reunification may be requested after one year of residence, with adequate housing and financial means (Real Decreto 1155/2024, Arts. 67 and 68).

Yes, but only in limited cases. Since the 2025 reform (Article 3-bis of Legge 91/1992), people born abroad who hold another citizenship are considered Italian only if their father, mother, grandfather or grandmother holds, or held at death, exclusively Italian citizenship; if their father or mother resided in Italy for two consecutive years after becoming Italian and before the child's birth; or if the application or lawsuit was filed by 11:59 p.m. (23:59, Rome time) on March 27, 2025. Many descendants of great-grandparents and great-great-grandparents no longer have that right.

As a rule, not by descent, if you did not file an application or lawsuit by March 27, 2025, because the law only takes into account first- and second-degree ascendants (parents and grandparents) with exclusively Italian citizenship, or parents who resided in Italy. Other routes may still exist, such as naturalization after two years of legal residence in Italy for children and grandchildren of Italians by birth, or the work visa outside the quotas available to descendants of Italians who hold Brazilian citizenship. Each case must be reviewed individually.

Applications filed with the required documentation by March 27, 2025, or on the date of an appointment notified by that date, continue to be assessed under the old rules. Those who were only on a waiting list, with no application and no appointment notified by that date, must meet the new conditions of Article 3-bis.

Lawsuits filed by March 27, 2025 follow the previous rules, including maternal-line cases involving children born before 1948. Lawsuits filed after that date must fit the exceptions in Article 3-bis. The Corte costituzionale upheld the reform in judgment n. 63/2026, and a question on its compatibility with European Union law was referred to the Court of Justice of the EU in July 2026 and is still awaiting an answer.

According to the Consulate General of Italy in São Paulo, the fee is €600 per adult applicant, paid in Brazilian reais at the consular exchange rate when the application is filed and non-refundable if the application is denied. For citizenship applications by marriage or by residence, the statutory fee is €250. Translations, apostilles and certificates are charged separately.

The foreign spouse of an Italian citizen may apply for citizenship after two years of legal residence in Italy following the marriage, or after three years from the date of marriage if the couple lives abroad. These periods are halved if the couple has children. The applicant must prove B1-level Italian and the marriage must remain valid, with no separation, until the decision, which is due within 24 months, extendable to 36.

Minor children of a father or mother who is Italian by birth may acquire citizenship through a declaration by the parents made within three years of birth, or with two years of legal residence in Italy after the declaration. For those who were already minors on May 24, 2025 and are children of a person recognized under the transitional rules, the declaration may be made until May 31, 2029. Since January 1, 2026, these declarations have been free of charge.

The main ones are the elective residence visa (for those who live on passive income, without working), work visas (within the decreto flussi quotas or outside them, such as the EU Blue Card and the channel for descendants of Italians), the visa for digital nomads and remote workers, the study visa, the family reunification visa and the investor visa (starting at €250,000 in an innovative startup, €500,000 in Italian companies or funds, €2,000,000 in government bonds or €1,000,000 as a philanthropic donation). After entry, the permesso di soggiorno must be applied for within eight working days.

We work in two stages: first, a preliminary case review with a feasibility opinion, which checks whether the family fits the current rules; then, assistance with the citizenship, visa or residence procedures, the consular formalities in Brazil and the follow-up in Italy, working with local professionals when the procedure requires it. In Brazil, we handle certificate searches and issuance, the correction of records, apostilles and translations. We do not promise results.

As a rule, one in each country: inventory proceedings in Brazil (Art. 23, II, of the CPC), declaration of heirs and partition in Portugal, and probate or another transfer mechanism in the U.S., according to the law of the state where the assets are located. Estate planning during one's lifetime seeks to reduce friction between these proceedings, with coordinated wills and consistent documents.

They may. Shares of corporations organized in the U.S. are considered U.S.-situs assets, even if held with a broker or as certificates abroad. If the total U.S.-situs assets exceed US$60,000, the executor must file Form 706-NA, and the unified credit is generally US$13,000, which corresponds to the tax on the first US$60,000 (IRS). The actual calculation must be made by a lawyer or accountant licensed in the U.S., hired by the client.

No. The IRS's official list of estate and gift tax treaties includes 15 countries (among them Germany, France, Italy, the United Kingdom and Japan), which do not include Brazil or Portugal (IRS). Therefore, the tax analysis must be made asset by asset, considering the Brazilian ITCMD and, for assets in Portugal, Stamp Duty.

Since Law 61/2025, the CPLP residence permit can only be applied for in Portugal by those who hold a residence visa (Art. 87-A of Law 23/2007), obtained at Portuguese consular posts. Those in Portugal with another permit, or without any permit, need an individual analysis of the available routes.

Seven years of legal residence, added up within a maximum window of nine years, for nationals of countries where Portuguese is an official language (Organic Law 1/2026; Arts. 6(1)(b) and 15(3) of the Nationality Act). Knowledge of the language is presumed, unless there is a manifest lack of proficiency (Art. 6(10)). The other requirements still apply.

Not for new applications. Organic Law 1/2026 repealed Art. 6(7) of the Nationality Act, with effect from May 19, 2026. Proceedings already pending on that date remain governed by the previous law (Art. 7(2)).

Not automatically. In Brazil, it depends on recognition by the STJ and is not possible with respect to assets located in Brazil (Arts. 961 and 964 of the CPC). In Portugal, it depends on review and confirmation by the competent Court of Appeal (Tribunal da Relação) (Arts. 978 and 980 of the Portuguese CPC). The Agreement on Legal and Judicial Cooperation between Portugal and Mozambique keeps this requirement (Art. 13), with a waiver only in specific cases, such as the use of the decision merely as evidence. See our page on recognition of foreign judgments.

No. The firm practices Brazilian law, with lawyers admitted to the OAB, and Portuguese law, with Dr. Natalie Sene admitted to the Portuguese Bar Association (Ordem dos Advogados) (license 59783L). In other countries, proceedings must be conducted by a lawyer licensed in that country, hired by the client. On our side, we handle the effects in Brazil and Portugal (applicable law, inventory proceedings, declaration of heirs and partition, recognition of judgments and documents) and, at the client's request, coordinate with that lawyer, so that the decisions made in each country are consistent with the planning in Brazil and Portugal.

For applications filed since May 19, 2026, seven years of legal residence, added together within a maximum window of nine years (Organic Law 1/2026). Applications pending on that date follow the previous law, with five years. See citizenship by length of residence.

Yes. The grandchild of a grandfather or grandmother with Portuguese citizenship by origin still has access to citizenship by origin, even if the ascendants have died. Since May 19, 2026, they must also prove knowledge of culture, history, national symbols and the organization of the State; for Brazilians, only knowledge of the language is presumed. See grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

No. Portugal does not require renunciation of the previous nationality, and, since Constitutional Amendment 131/2023, a Brazilian loses Brazilian citizenship only upon express request. It is possible to keep both.

As a rule, no. The expression of interest ended in 2024, and, since Law 61/2025, the CPLP permit also depends on a residence visa. The way forward is to apply for the appropriate visa (D1 to D7) at the consulate before traveling. See residence permits.

No. Since October 7, 2023, real estate purchases and urban regeneration are no longer ARI options. Non-real-estate funds, job creation and support for culture, among others, remain in force. See Golden Visa.

For citizenship applications filed since May 19, 2026, no. Organic Law 1/2026 repealed the rule that counted time from the residence permit application. What counts is the period with regularized status. See how to count the seven years.

The ascendants route was abolished for new applications by Organic Law 1/2026. Only applications filed by May 18, 2026 follow the previous law. Today, parents and grandparents of Portuguese citizens should consider other routes, such as residence. See citizenship for ascendants.

For the descent, marriage and adoption routes, the application can be filed from Brazil, by a lawyer holding a power of attorney, with apostilled Brazilian documents. Naturalization by residence presupposes, by definition, legal residence in Portugal. See the step-by-step guide.