To become a Portuguese citizen, you now need to have lived in the country for 10 years, not 5. We have summarised the requirements and process under the current rules.
Ways to Become a Portuguese Citizen
Portugal’s Nationality Law was amended by new rules approved by the President on 3 May 2026. The main changes to naturalisation are:
- The legal residence period required to apply, previously 5 years, has been raised to 10 years for most foreign nationals. For citizens of the European Union (EU) and the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP), it is 7 years.
- Residence is now counted from the date the first residence permit is officially issued, not from the application date.
- The A2-level Portuguese language requirement remains. It is usually proven with official exams such as CIPLE or accredited courses.
- Applicants must have a clean criminal record; applications from people sentenced to 3 years or more in prison are not accepted. Applicants are also expected to show sufficient means to live in Portugal.
- The law took effect on publication in the official gazette (Diário da República). Complete applications filed before that date are expected to be assessed under the old 5-year rules, and new applications under the 10-year system.
Portugal Golden Visa holders now need to complete 10 years of residence to apply for citizenship. However, the right to permanent residence after 5 years remains. Investors can end their investment after 5 years, keep living in Portugal with permanent residence and apply for citizenship after 10 years.
Portuguese Citizenship Requirements
Portuguese citizenship can be obtained through residence, marriage, descent or birth. For the most common route, residence, the new rules raise the legal residence period to 10 years for most applicants and set it at 7 years for EU and CPLP citizens; the clock starts when the first residence card is issued. Applicants also need at least A2-level Portuguese, a clean criminal record, sufficient means and basic integration.
People married to, or in a registered partnership with, a Portuguese citizen can usually apply after 3 years. This route requires proof of a connection to Portugal, but in most cases no language test. On the descent route, children of Portuguese citizens qualify directly, while applications through a grandparent require language skills and community ties. Children born in Portugal can acquire citizenship if at least one parent has lived in Portugal legally for the period set by law; the new law has extended this period.
The application fee for adults is generally €250, and Portugal allows dual citizenship. Applications usually take 12–18 months on average.
How to Get Portuguese Citizenship
Citizenship Through Investment
Buying a home in Portugal no longer leads to citizenship. However, a residence permit obtained through the Portugal Golden Visa opens the way to citizenship once the legal residence period is completed. You can invest €500,000 in Portugal-based investment or venture capital funds. Although the path to citizenship is now longer, investors keep the right to permanent residence after 5 years; they can then end the investment and stay in Portugal, while citizenship requires 10 years of residence.
Portuguese Citizenship Through Marriage
Under Article 3 of the Nationality Law, citizenship through marriage offers an easier route for foreign nationals married to, or in a legally recognised partnership with, a Portuguese citizen. The required period is 3 years of marriage or partnership. Applicants must prove an “effective connection” to Portuguese society, but if the couple has a child with Portuguese nationality or the marriage/partnership has lasted more than 6 years, a lack of connection is not grounds for refusal. Unlike most other routes, there is no formal Portuguese language test (A2) for marriage applications. Documents usually requested:
- Marriage certificate (registered in the Portuguese civil registry).
- Copy of a valid ID card or passport.
- Criminal record certificates from every country where the applicant has lived.
- The Portuguese spouse’s proof of citizenship (birth certificate or ID card).
- Where required (if no exception applies), documents proving the connection to Portuguese society.
Sephardic Route to Portuguese Citizenship
Portugal passed a law granting citizenship to descendants of Sephardic Jews, who became a diaspora after the expulsion of 1496. In force since 2015, the law aimed to redress a historical injustice. More than 250,000 applications were filed and over 75,000 were approved. However, after allegations of abuse and legal changes, the process became much harder: a requirement of at least 3 years of residence was added, and the new law abolishes this special route altogether.
5 Benefits of Portuguese Citizenship
One of the main advantages of Portuguese citizenship is becoming a European Union citizen, with freedom of movement guaranteed by the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) and Directive 2004/38/EC. The benefits include:
- The right to live and work in all EU member states.
- Visa-free or simplified entry to more than 180 countries.
- Access to comprehensive healthcare through the Serviço Nacional de Saúde (National Health Service).
- Low-cost education at public universities.
- Life in one of the safest countries in the world.
Portuguese Citizenship Fees
Costs vary by application type, but the main items are:
Application fees
- Adult: €250
- Under 18: €200
- Children born in Portugal: free
Additional costs
- Language exam (A2): ~€72
- Translation and notary: ~€100 (per document)
- Criminal record and apostille: variable
After approval
- Passport: €65 (standard) / €135 (express)
Portuguese Citizenship Advice
At Golden Visa Solutions (GVS) we offer comprehensive, professional support for Portuguese citizenship and residence. We handle your application carefully with expert lawyers working in both Portugal and Türkiye.
With GVS you can apply for residence under the Portugal Golden Visa program with confidence; we support you at every stage, from preparing the application to completing the official procedures, with a transparent, fast and results-focused approach.
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