Citizenship for Ascendants

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.