Portugal, with its world-class passport, full European Union rights, and highly flexible immigration policies, has become a popular location for anyone seeking dual citizenship.
Portugal allows dual citizenship, which means Americans can hold a US and Portuguese passport, at the same time, without any restrictions. Dual citizenship in Portugal means you are recognized as a citizen of two countries and enjoy the rights and privileges, such as voting, working, and living, in either country.
Below, we’ll cover the latest updates to Portugal dual citizenship for US citizens and provide you with a detailed step-by-step guide for obtaining Portuguese citizenship. Here’s all you need to know about the application process, benefits for US nationals, and what dual citizenship means for your taxes.
Portugal Dual Citizenship for US Citizens: Key Takeaways
Does Portugal allow dual citizenship?
Yes, Portugal allows dual citizenship. You don’t need to renounce your original nationality when you become a Portuguese citizen, which means you can hold both your current passport and an EU passport at the same time.
To qualify for Portuguese citizenship, you must meet one of the legal pathways. The most common route is naturalization through a temporary residency permit, such as the Portugal D7 Visa or the Portugal Golden Visa.
Legal residence of at least 5 years often qualifies a foreign national to apply for permanent residence in Portugal. However, the residence requirement for citizenship by naturalization is separate.
With the Lei Orgânica n.º 1/2026, which entered into force on 19 May 2026, the minimum period of legal residence is 10 years for most foreign nationals, including US citizens, and seven years for nationals of EU member states and Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) countries.
Note: Applications for Portuguese citizenship submitted before 19 May 2026 (that is, by 18 May 2026) continue to be assessed under the previous nationality rules.
US policy on dual citizenship
The US also permits dual citizenship, but it’s more of a technicality than a law. While the US government doesn’t encourage or endorse dual citizenship, there are no laws that prohibit a US national from second citizenship.
According to the US Department of State, you can acquire Portuguese nationality without losing your US citizenship, provided you comply with the laws of both countries. There are only a few instances in which you could lose your US citizenship, with voluntary renunciation being the main option.
Benefits of Dual Citizenship for US Citizens in Portugal
Freedom of movement
With a Portuguese passport, you gain full rights as an EU citizen, allowing you to live, work, and study in any EU member state without restrictions. You also benefit from visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 187 countries, while US citizens can only visit 179 countries visa-free.
Affordable cost of living
Portugal is significantly more affordable than the United States. According to Numbeo data (July, 2026), overall consumer prices in Portugal are 30.1% lower than in the US, with rent prices often 36.6% lower, depending on the city. This allows you to maintain a comparable lifestyle at a lower overall cost.
Safety
Portugal ranks 7th globally on the Global Peace Index, while the United States ranks 128th, making it a significantly safer and more stable environment overall. According to World Bank data, violent crime rates are notably lower in Portugal, with homicide rates at around 0.8 per 100,000 people compared to approximately 6.3 per 100,000 in the US.
Lower healthcare costs
Portugal provides access to its public healthcare system, the Serviço Nacional de Saúde (SNS), which offers low-cost or free medical care to residents and citizens. In contrast, the US does not have a universal public healthcare system, and medical expenses can be substantially higher even with insurance. Additionally, average premiums for private health insurance in the US often exceed $450–$700 (€400–€600) per month, whereas in Portugal, it typically ranges from €30–€150 per month.
Ancestry
Portuguese citizenship can be passed on to your children, giving them lifelong access to the European Union. This includes the right to live, work, and study across all EU member states.
Who is eligible for Portugal dual citizenship?
Portuguese dual citizenship provides an appealing opportunity for US citizens and other expats who meet the requirements set out in the Portuguese Nationality Law to become citizens of Portugal.
Here are the different routes you can qualify for Portuguese dual citizenship:
By birth: If one or both of your parents were Portuguese nationals when you were born, you can acquire citizenship in Portugal, regardless of which country you were born in, known as right by blood (jus sanguinis). If you were born to foreign parents, and at least one of your parents was a legal Portuguese resident for a minimum of 5 years (under Lei Orgânica n.º 1/2026) at the time of your birth, you could qualify for Portuguese citizenship by origin, referred to as conditional jus soli.
By descent: You may qualify for Portuguese citizenship by descent if you have at least one Portuguese parent or grandparent and you were born outside Portugal. If your Portuguese grandparent hasn’t lost their citizenship, you can qualify for Portuguese nationality, considering you have the documents to prove your connection to the Portuguese community.
By marriage: If you’ve been married to a Portuguese citizen (for at least 3 years), or in a civil union (for at least 6 years), you could be eligible to apply for Portuguese citizenship.
By naturalization: American nationals can apply for Portuguese citizenship by naturalization if they have legally resided in Portugal for a minimum of 10 years (based on the 2026 changes to the Portuguese Nationality Law).
There are several ways for Americans to obtain citizenship by naturalization in Portugal as of 2026:
- Through the Portugal D7 Visa (Passive Income or Retirement Visa), which is for people with a steady passive income of at least €920 per month and at least €11,040 per year in savings.
- Through the D8 Visa (Digital Nomad Visa) for remote workers with a minimum income of €3,680 per month and at least €11,040 in savings per applicant.
- Through the D2 Visa (Entrepreneur Visa) for startup founders who can demonstrate roughly €11,040 in personal financial means for the first year, with the intention to carry out their business activities in Portugal.
- By working in Portugal for a Portuguese employer via a Portugal Work Visa.
- By taking part in scientific research or studies at a Portuguese university.
- Through the Portugal Family Reunification Visa for family members of legal residents in Portugal.
With most D-type visas in Portugal, being outside the country for more than 6 months (consecutive) or 8 months (in total) while your residence permit is valid, may put your residency status at risk.
Naturalization by investment (Golden Visa): The Portugal Golden Visa offers a path to legal residency for investors, which you can use to qualify for citizenship by naturalization in Portugal. Golden Visa holders have better flexibility than other visa applicants, as they are required to spend 7 days in the first year and 14 days in each subsequent two-year period in Portugal.
Sephardic Jewish route: As of 4 May 2026, Portugal’s Sephardic-descent citizenship route has closed to new applicants. Only applications submitted before the cutoff are still being processed.
| Route | Best for | Requirement | Baseline processing times | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Naturalization | Americans applying for a D-type visa or a work visa | 10 years of legal residency; A2-level Portuguese; Clean criminal record | 3-4 years | €250 application fee |
| Marriage | Americans married or in a de facto union with a Portuguese citizen | Married for 3+ years | 3-4 years | €250 application fee |
| By descent (ancestry) | Americans with Portuguese ancestors | Portuguese grandparent, parent, or great-grandparent; Connection to the Portuguese community | 2-3 years (with Portuguese parents); 3-4 years (with Portuguese grandparents) | €175-€250 application fee |
Note: Keep in mind that the processing times vary and are purely speculative. They can change at any time due to backlogs, missing documents, or any other factors.
How to Get Portugal Dual Citizenship
To get Portuguese citizenship while retaining your US nationality, the government has set out specific steps that you must follow:
1. Choose your eligibility route: Determine if you qualify through residency, ancestry, or marriage. Most US citizens choose to go through the residency route.
2. Legal period residency: You can have dual citizenship in Portugal after you maintain your legal residence and meet all eligibility criteria. Portugal officially changed its naturalization timeline to 10 years for most foreigners (or 7 years for CPLP/EU nationals) of legal residence. These changes were published in Diário da República on 18 May 2026, and entered into force the next day on 19 May 2026. If you filed your application before 18 May 2026 – don’t worry – you are processed under the 5-year timeline.
3. Meet the language requirement: The A2-level Portuguese language proficiency remains the standard requirement; Lei Orgânica 1/2026 additionally requires knowledge of Portuguese culture, history, national symbols, and a signed declaration of adherence to democratic rule-of-law principles.
4. Submit your citizenship application: Once you meet all requirements, you can apply for Portuguese citizenship. After becoming a Portuguese citizen, you can apply for the Portuguese passport.
Applying for Portuguese Citizenship
Once you have all the necessary documentation and paid the fee, applications can be made in person at the Central Registry Office in Lisbon, at the Nationality Desk of the Central Archive of Porto, the various civil registry offices across the country, or a Portuguese Consulate in the US.
You can also mail your applications to the Institute of Registries and Notaries (IRN) or the Central Registry Office in Lisbon.
- Fill out the Modelo 6.1 application form
- Gather all the necessary documents
- Pay the €150-€250 application fee (depending on the route)
- Submit your application, documents, and payment receipt to the IRN or Central Registry Office.
The IRN will review your application to determine whether you meet the eligibility criteria. If your application is rejected, the Registry Office will notify you with an explanation.
While there is the option to lodge an application online, this can only be done by your lawyer or solicitor.
Taxes for US Citizens with Dual Citizenship in Portugal
Holding dual citizenship with Portugal does not change your US tax obligations. As a dual citizen in Portugal and the USA, you will continue to file your US tax returns each year.
Keep in mind that the Foreign Tax Credit, Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE), US-Portugal tax treaty can reduce the risk of double taxation. That being said, it is important to consult with a tax specialist before you rely on any treaty relief mechanics.
If you live in Portugal for over 183 days per year or maintain a habitual residence there, you are a Portuguese tax resident. Portugal taxes its residents on their worldwide income with personal income tax rates (IRS) from 12.50% to 48% as of 2026. This means you will have tax obligations in both countries.
If you are working in scientific research or innovation fields, you might also qualify for the Tax Incentive for Scientific Research and Innovation (IFICI). Also called Portugal’s new NHR, you’ll be taxed at a flat rate of 20 percent on your net income in Portugal.
That being said, as a US citizen with foreign financial accounts of over $10,000 (about €8,800), you need to file an FBAR (FinCEN Form 114). If your total foreign assets exceed certain thresholds, you may also need to submit FATCA Form 8938. These are reporting obligations, not extra taxes.
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