Everything you need to know about the Portuguese passport

Posted: - Updated: September 18, 2020

If you’re considering a second passport and don’t want to give up your citizenship then the Portuguese passport is an excellent option for expat families. 

Famed for its long stretch of Atlantic coastline, endless sunshine, and delicious cuisine, Portugal is increasingly the ‘it’ destination for expat families looking for a European passport. And since Portugal recognizes dual citizenship, it’s perfectly possible to get a Portuguese passport and call this exotic nation home.

Learn more about how to apply for a Portuguese passport and enjoy the many benefits of having a Portuguese passport for you and your family.

The Portuguese passport 

A Portuguese passport is issued to citizens of Portugal for the purpose of international travel and free movement within the European Union. A Portuguese passport gives you the opportunity to travel around Europe freely and live, work and study anywhere within the European Union, European Economic Area, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. 

By being a Portuguese citizen, you’re afforded all the rights that come with being a national, including the right to vote, live, access healthcare, and quality schooling in the country. 

It’s important to note that Portuguese citizens aren’t obliged to own a Portuguese passport. You can apply for the Portuguese Citizen Card as a general identity document. This document is beneficial for international travel around Europe. 

Benefits of having a Portuguese passport

There are numerous benefits of having a Portuguese passport. These include:

Portuguese citizenship for life Portuguese citizenship for life
The right to travel, live, work and study anywhere in the EU The right to travel, live, work and study anywhere in the EU
Visa-free countries trave to over 186 countries with the Portuguese passport Visa-free countries trave to over 186 countries with the Portuguese passport
Free access to quality healthcare Free access to quality healthcare
Free access to quality schooling Free access to quality schooling
Fantastic quality of life Fantastic quality of life

How strong is a Portuguese passport? 

A Portuguese passport grants you visa-free travel to 186 countries, placing the Portuguese passport sixth in terms of travel freedom. In other words, a Portuguese passport is extremely strong to possess.

Portuguese passport cost

In general, the Portuguese passport itself costs just €65 to obtain if you are applying for the Portuguese passport in the national territory. If you are for example in the states, then the Portuguese passport costs around €100 to get.

There’s also the possibility of buying a Portuguese passport by making an investment in the country. Known as the Portugal Golden Visa or Portugal Passport by Investment Program, for a €500K property purchase or a venture capital fund investment of €350K, you can get Portuguese residency. After five years of holding your respective investment, you are eligible for the Portuguese passport (more info below).

Portuguese passport requirements

The Portuguese passport requirements depend upon what path you choose to take for Portuguese citizenship. If you are a foreign resident who wants to become a Portuguese citizen you must have resided in Portugal for six years, including one year in permanent residency.

However, this Portuguese passport requirement decreases to three years if you have been married or in a legal partnership with a Portuguese citizen for three years. Another Portuguese passport requirement is for you to pass the Portuguese language test, as well as pass a detailed criminal background check and possess a clean health record.

How to apply for a Portuguese passport

How to apply for a Portuguese passport depends on your personal situation. For example, if you have a Portuguese parent or grandparent, then it’s much easier to secure a Portuguese passport then having no blood relatives in the country. Moreover, if your ancestors are Sephardic Jews who fled the Iberian Peninsula during the Inquisition period, then you are also eligible for a jewish Portuguese passport.

Generally speaking, for expats the most common routes to Portuguese citizenship are listed below.

1.Portuguese passport through marriage

A Portuguese passport through marriage is a common way to obtain citizenship. You must be married for at least three years to a Portuguese citizen or cohabit with your partner. There is no need to have resided previously in Portugal, although you must provide documents proving your union and connection to the Portuguese community.

2.Portuguese citizen by descent

You must have a parent or grandparent that’s Portuguese in order to be eligible for becoming a Portuguese citizen by descent. 

3.Portuguese passport by investment

The Portuguese passport by investment initiative grants qualifying investors with passports, provided that they invest in the country and maintain the respective investment for at least five years. The citizenship process is also known as naturalization as a Portuguese citizen, because the person must spend at least six years living in the country in order to be eligible for a passport. 

First, you must apply for the Portuguese passport by investment scheme (also known as the Portugal Golden Visa). You can choose from a number of investment routes including:

Buying a property anywhere in Portugal at the minimum value of €500K Buying a property anywhere in Portugal at the minimum value of €500K
Investing in venture capital funds costing at least €350K Investing in venture capital funds costing at least €350K
Investing at least €280K in a rehabilitation project Investing at least €280K in a rehabilitation project

Additional Portuguese passport requirements

  • You must obtain a criminal record certificate issued by SEF, proving you have been a legal resident in Portugal for at least six years
  •  Have a clean health record. 
  • Proof of sufficient knowledge of the Portuguese language
  • Provide details of current Portuguese residency

For more information, check out our ultimate guide to the Portugal Golden Visa program.

 

Portuguese passport processing time

Once all the required paperwork is submitted, the Portuguese passport processing time usually takes five business days. In urgent cases, and at the request of the applicant, the Portuguese passport processing time can be fast-tracked to two working days, for an additional fee. 

 

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Frequently asked questions about the Portuguese passport

How to get passport in Portugal?

Getting a Portuguese passport depends on what your personal situation is. Generally speaking, you can either get a Portuguese passport by marriage, a Portuguese passport by descent, or a Portuguese passport by an investment.

How much does a Portuguese passport cost?

If you’re applying for a Portuguese passport from within Portugal, it costs just €65. If you’re applying abroad, then anywhere from €100 and above.

How do I apply for a Portuguese passport online?

To apply for a Portuguese passport online, also know as the Portuguese electronic passport, you can do so at the passport bureau in Lisbon airport or Porto airport, or at the Portuguese consulate located in your area.

How much is the Portuguese passport renewal fee?

The Portuguese passport renewal fee starts from €100, and costs more if you’re getting a new passport because the previous one was stolen.

Can I buy a Portuguese passport?

You can buy a Portuguese passport by making a qualifying investment in the nation, usually in real estate. Increasingly though, people are opting to rehabilitate old buildings at the value of €280K, or are investing in funds to the value of €350K, and as such, can get a Portuguese passport after six years.

What are the documents required to apply for a Portuguese passport?

The documents required to apply for a Portuguese passport include your birth certificate, a criminal record certificate, proof of identity, and proof of having resided in the country for six years, of which, one of the years you were a permanent resident.

What are the advantages of a Portuguese passport?

The Portuguese passport gives you many advantages, including the right to enjoy full citizenship status in the country and travel, work, and live freely anywhere within the European Union. A Portuguese passport means you have access to quality healthcare and public schooling in the country. To top it off, you can enjoy a favorable tax regime in the country.

How long does it take to get a Portuguese passport?

Getting a Portuguese passport only takes around five business days. However, to be eligible for the Portuguese passport through investment, it takes six years to obtain the passport.

How to renew a Portuguese passport?

The standard Portuguese passport (PEP) is valid for 5 years. You can apply for a replacement passport if it is due to expire within 6 months. However, it’s not possible to renew your passport once it has expired. In this case, you must make a fresh application for a new passport and go through the same process as you went through initially.

How strong is a Portuguese passport?

A Portuguese passport is very strong, it is ranked sixth in terms of travel freedom, offering visa-free travel to over 186 nations.