Portuguese passport: how to get it guide

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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 passport and call this exotic nation home.

Learn more about how to apply for this lucrative passport and enjoy the many benefits associated with Portuguese citizenship.

Getting a Portugal passport

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

By being a citizen in Portugal, 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 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 Portugal passport

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

Portuguese citizenship for life

The right to travel, live, work and study anywhere in the EU

Visa-free countries trave to over 186 countries with the Portuguese passport

Free access to quality healthcare

Free access to quality schooling

Fantastic quality of life

The right to travel, live, work and study anywhere in the EU: You can move freely across the Schengen zone without any visa requirements. Since Portugal is an EU member, you have the right to live, work, and study in any of the 27 countries in the EU.
Free access to quality schooling: Enjoy free education in some of the world’s best institutions and enjoy the government-sponsored healthcare programs that offer coverage across Europe.
Fantastic quality of life: Portugal truly is a wonderful place to live. The climate, safe environment, and excellent Mediterranean cuisine are just a few examples.
Employment opportunities: enjoy full or part-time employment without an additional work permit required.
Low living costs: Portugal is a relatively affordable country, compared to its European neighbors
Portuguese citizenship for life: Your Portuguese passport will be yours for life, one of the ultimate benefits.

Portugal passport power

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

Passport cost

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

There’s also the possibility of buying a passport by making an investment in the country. Known as the Portugal Golden Visa or Portuguese 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 Portuguese citizenship (more info below).

Portuguese passport requirements

The 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 is reduced to three years if you have been married or have been 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.

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

Investing in venture capital funds costing at least €350K

Investing at least €280K in a rehabilitation project

Additional 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
Proof of sufficient knowledge of the Portuguese language
Provide details of current Portuguese residency and have your unique tax identification number (NIF) in Portugal

For more information, check out our Golden Visa Portugal 2021 ultimate guide.

Take a look at our Portugal Golden Visa Ultimate Guide by local experts

click here

Portuguese passport processing time

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

Frequently asked questions about the Portuguese passport

How to get a passport in Portugal?

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

How much does a Portugul passport cost?

If you’re applying for a 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 passport online?

To apply for a Portugul 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 passport renewal fee?

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

Can I buy a Portugal passport?

You can buy a passport in Portugal 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 Portuguese citizenship?

The documents required to apply for a 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 owning a passport from Portugal?

If you get a Portuguese passport, there are many advantages, including the right to enjoy full citizenship status in the country and travel, work, and live freely anywhere within the European Union (EU). A Portugal 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 passport from Portugal?

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

How to renew a Portugal 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.

What is the Portugal passport power?

A passport from Portugal is very strong.

In Global Citizen Solutions pioneering Global Passport Index, Portugal ranks in 30th position. This takes into account enhanced mobility, investment opportunities, and quality of life indicators.

Which countries can I travel to with a Portuguese passport?

If you get a Portuguese passport, one has visa free access to 178 countries, showing that Portuguese citizenship has many mobility benefits.

More details can be found about Portugal’s performance in Global Citizen Solution’s Global Passport Index can be found here. Once you get a Portuguese passport, you have excellent mobility, including free movement across the EU and Schengen area, and easy movement to the USA and Canada.