Portuguese Citizenship Step by Step
Who can apply for Portuguese citizenship after Organic Law 1/2026: children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, spouses, adoptees and residents. See the step-by-step guide.
Who can apply for Portuguese citizenship?
1. Children of a Portuguese citizen;
2. Grandchildren and great-grandchildren of a Portuguese citizen;
3. Spouses or partners in a de facto union (“união de facto”) with a Portuguese citizen;
4. Persons adopted by a Portuguese citizen;
5. Ascendants of a Portuguese citizen (only applications filed up to May 18, 2026); and
6. Length of legal residence.
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.
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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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Citizen Card and passport
Portuguese documents after citizenship.
Learn more →Common questions
Didn't find your question? Talk to our team on WhatsApp.
Who can apply for Portuguese citizenship?
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.
Can parents and grandparents of Portuguese citizens still apply for citizenship?
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.
How do I know whether I am entitled to Portuguese citizenship through my family?
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.
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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