Citizenship for Children of Portuguese Citizens
See how children of a Portuguese father or mother can obtain Portuguese citizenship by origin and which documents to gather. Talk to our team.
Portuguese law grants children of Portuguese citizens the right to obtain citizenship by origin (by attribution), and they can therefore pass their citizenship on to their descendants.
In Portugal, it makes no difference whether the Portuguese parent is the applicant's father or mother, nor where the child of the Portuguese citizen was born. Nor is it necessary for the ascendant (father or mother) to be alive in order to obtain this citizenship.
Below you will find the list of documents required for an application for attribution of citizenship to CHILDREN of Portuguese citizens. If you do not have them, contact us and we can help you.
Documents
- Birth certificate of the Portuguese ascendant (plain copy or the corresponding details: full name, parents' names, date of birth, municipality (concelho) and parish (freguesia) of birth) *;
- Full-content birth certificate (certidão de inteiro teor) of the applicant, with notarial recognition (at a notary's office) of the clerk's signature, with a Hague Apostille;
- Photocopy-format birth certificate (certidão por meio reprográfico) of the applicant, with notarial recognition (at a notary's office) of the clerk's signature, with a Hague Apostille;
- Certified copy of a valid personal identity document with photo (RG, CNH or Passport) with a Hague Apostille; and
- Signed private power of attorney**.
*If both parents are Portuguese, or if only the mother is Portuguese and she was not the person who declared the child's birth, prior transcription of the marriage is mandatory.
**If the Applicant is over 70 years of age, we request a public power of attorney for specific purposes, with a Hague Apostille, for proof of life purposes.
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
Grandchildren and great-grandchildren
Current requirements after Organic Law 1/2026 (Lei Orgânica).
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Marriage or de facto union
For spouses and partners of Portuguese citizens.
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Length of residence
For those legally residing in Portugal.
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Adoption
Citizenship for persons adopted by Portuguese citizens.
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Ascendants
Only for applications filed by May 18, 2026.
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Urgency and delays in the process
Priority processing and what to do when the application is delayed.
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Citizenship step by step
From documents to registration, one step at a time.
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Citizen Card and passport
Portuguese documents after citizenship.
Learn more →Common questions
Didn't find your question? Talk to our team on WhatsApp.
Does the child of a Portuguese mother have the same right as the child of a Portuguese father?
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.
Does the Portuguese father or mother need to be alive for the child to apply for citizenship?
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.
Which documents are required for an application by the child of a Portuguese citizen?
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.
When is it mandatory to first transcribe the parents' marriage?
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.
Talk to our team
Tell us about your case: we will reply by email and, if you prefer, schedule a video call.
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