Citizenship by Marriage or Stable Union
See how someone married to, or in a stable union with, a Portuguese citizen can apply for Portuguese citizenship and which requirements must be met. Contact us.
Anyone who is married to, or lives in a stable union (de facto union (união de facto)) with, a Portuguese citizen is entitled to acquire citizenship by declaration of intent, provided they meet the requirements set out in the legislation in force, namely:
- Being married or living in a de facto union (união de facto) for more than 3 years and having children in common with Portuguese citizenship (Art. 3 and Art. 9(2) of the Nationality Act); or
- Being married or living in a de facto union (união de facto) for more than 3 years and having ties of effective connection to the Portuguese community, assessed according to the parameters of Art. 6(1)(c) to (i) of the Nationality Act (Art. 3 and Art. 9(1)(a) of the Nationality Act); or
- Being married or living in a de facto union (união de facto) for more than 6 years, in which case there is no opposition on the grounds of lack of effective connection (Art. 9(2) of the Nationality Act).
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 EU (Art. 3(4) and Art. 6(1)(f) to (h) of the Nationality Act). Applications filed by May 18, 2026, follow the previous law.
In the case of acquisition of citizenship through a stable union, if the parties are in Portugal they must bring a "Declaratory Action for Recognition of a De Facto Union" (Ação Declarativa de Reconhecimento de União de Fato) (Nationality Act, Art. 3(3)). If the union was recognized out of court or in court in Brazil, the parties must bring an "Action for Review and Confirmation of a Foreign Judgment" (Ação de Revisão e Confirmação de Sentença Estrangeira) in Portugal.
Important: the judgment or the stable union deed must expressly state the start date of the union; otherwise, it will not be recognized in Portugal.
If you have questions about your right to acquire citizenship through marriage or a stable union, Sene & Araújo Advogados will be glad to help you.
Documents
MARRIAGE
- Birth certificate of the Portuguese spouse with transcription of the marriage;
- Full-content birth certificate (certidão de inteiro teor) of the Applicant, with notarial recognition (at a notary's office) of the clerk's signature and with a Hague Apostille;
- Full-content marriage certificate issued less than 6 months ago, with notarial recognition (at a notary's office) of the clerk's signature and with a Hague Apostille;
- Certified copy of a valid photo ID (RG, CNH, or passport) with a Hague Apostille;
- Criminal record certificate from every country where the applicant has lived since age 16 (if written in a foreign language, accompanied by a certified translation and with a Hague Apostille); and
- Birth certificate of the Portuguese child for applications based on marriages of more than 3 years with Portuguese children; or documents proving effective connection to the Portuguese community for applications based on marriages of more than 3 and up to 6 years without Portuguese children.
STABLE UNION - DE FACTO UNION (UNIÃO DE FACTO)
- Birth certificate of the Portuguese partner;
- Full-content birth certificate (certidão de inteiro teor) of the Applicant, with notarial recognition (at a notary's office) of the clerk's signature and with a Hague Apostille;
- Certified copy of a valid photo ID (RG, CNH, or passport) with a Hague Apostille;
- Certificate of the final and unappealable judgment in the Action for Recognition of a De Facto Union or in the Action for Review and Confirmation of a Foreign Judgment, issued by a Portuguese court;
- Statement made less than 3 months ago by the Portuguese partner declaring that the union continues;
- Criminal record certificate from every country where the applicant has lived since age 16 (if written in a foreign language, accompanied by a certified translation and with a Hague Apostille); and
- Birth certificate of the Portuguese child for applications based on a de facto union of more than 3 years with Portuguese children; or documents proving effective connection to the Portuguese community for applications based on a de facto union of more than 3 and up to 6 years without Portuguese children.
Step by step – receipt and review of documents
Learn how the process works to verify whether your family has a right to Portuguese citizenship
Other services in this area
Children of Portuguese citizens
Citizenship for children of a Portuguese father or mother.
Learn more →
Grandchildren and great-grandchildren
Current requirements after Organic Law 1/2026 (Lei Orgânica).
Learn more →
Length of residence
For those legally residing in Portugal.
Learn more →
Adoption
Citizenship for persons adopted by Portuguese citizens.
Learn more →
Ascendants
Only for applications filed by May 18, 2026.
Learn more →
Urgency and delays in the process
Priority processing and what to do when the application is delayed.
Learn more →
Citizenship step by step
From documents to registration, one step at a time.
Learn more →
Citizen Card and passport
Portuguese documents after citizenship.
Learn more →Common questions
Didn't find your question? Talk to our team on WhatsApp.
How long must one be married or in a de facto union to apply for citizenship?
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.
Are there impediments that bar citizenship by marriage?
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).
Can a stable union recognized in Brazil be used to apply for citizenship?
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.
Which documents are required for an application based on marriage?
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.
What changes in the documents when the application is based on a de facto union?
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.
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