Citizenship for Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren of Portuguese Citizens
Learn how grandchildren and great-grandchildren of Portuguese citizens can apply for Portuguese citizenship and the requirements after Organic Law 1/2026. Talk to our team.
A foreign national who has a Portuguese grandfather or grandmother is entitled to Portuguese citizenship (nationality) by attribution (citizenship by origin), even if their ascendants have died. This right is provided for in Art. 1(1)(d) of the Nationality Act (Lei da Nacionalidade, Law 37/81) and in Art. 10-A of the Portuguese Nationality Regulation (Regulamento da Nacionalidade Portuguesa, Decree-Law 237-A/2006, as amended by Decree-Law 71/2017).
Until May 18, 2026, proof of ties of effective connection to the Portuguese community was required. With Organic Law 1/2026 (Lei Orgânica), in force since May 19, 2026, attribution of citizenship to grandchildren became dependent on meeting the requirements of Art. 6(1)(c) to (h) of the Nationality Act: sufficient knowledge of the Portuguese language and culture, history and national symbols (by test or certificate); knowledge of fundamental rights and duties and of the political organization of the Portuguese State; a solemn declaration of adherence to the principles of the democratic rule of law; and the absence of the convictions and other impediments set out in the law.
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 must be proven under the implementing regulations. Applications filed by May 18, 2026, continue to follow the previous law.
In addition, individuals who acquired citizenship as grandchildren of Portuguese citizens under the "Acquisition" modality (derived citizenship) may convert to "Attribution" and thereby pass their right on to their descendants.
A great-grandchild of a Portuguese citizen can obtain Portuguese citizenship by two routes. In the first, since Portuguese law allows only 1 generation to be "skipped" for purposes of attribution, the great-grandchild's father/mother or grandfather/grandmother descended from the Portuguese great-grandparent must be alive, and the process is carried out in 2 stages: the 1st with the attribution of citizenship to the father/mother or grandfather/grandmother; the 2nd with the attribution of citizenship to the great-grandchild, now as the CHILD or GRANDCHILD of a Portuguese citizen, respectively. The second route, created by Organic Law 1/2026, is naturalization of descendants in the 3rd degree in the direct line of Portuguese citizens by origin who have had legal residence in Portugal for at least five years (Art. 6(8) of the Nationality Act), provided the other naturalization requirements are met.
Questions about the process or documents? Contact Sene & Araújo Advogados; we can help.
Fees (IRN): €175 for attribution of citizenship to adult grandchildren (free of charge for minors under 18); €250 for naturalization of great-grandchildren (Art. 6(8)).
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 of the applicant's parent, with notarial recognition of the clerk's signature, with a Hague Apostille; *
Full-content birth certificate 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 photo ID (RG, CNH, or passport) with a Hague Apostille;
Signed private power of attorney **; and
Criminal record certificate from every country where the applicant has lived since age 16 (if written in a foreign language, it must be accompanied by a certified translation and bear a Hague Apostille)***
* If both are Portuguese, or if the ascendant is the grandmother 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.
*** The Brazilian criminal record certificate obtained through the Federal Police website does not require a Hague Apostille. If the certificate was issued in person at a Federal Police office, the document must bear a Hague Apostille.
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 →
Marriage or de facto union
For spouses and partners of Portuguese citizens.
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.
Is the grandchild of a Portuguese citizen entitled to citizenship even if the grandparent has died?
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.
What changed for grandchildren with Organic Law 1/2026?
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.
Do Brazilians need to prove knowledge of the Portuguese language?
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.
Can a great-grandchild of a Portuguese citizen obtain citizenship?
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.
How much does the citizenship application for grandchildren and great-grandchildren cost?
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.
Talk to our team
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