Portugal Citizenship by Descent: A 2025 Eligibility Guide

Non-EU individuals can get Portugal citizenship by descent if they have parents or grandparents who hold Portuguese citizenship. However, the process of obtaining Portuguese citizenship is not merely about tracing an ancestral lineage.

Understanding how to acquire Portuguese citizenship by descent can be complex, so we’ve created a detailed guide to help you do so.

This article covers everything from who is eligible to the documents you need. It’s a straightforward roadmap for those acquiring Portuguese citizenship by descent.

This expert-curated guide highlights:

• What is Portuguese citizenship by descent?
• The benefits of becoming a Portuguese citizen
• Who’s eligible to apply for Portugal citizenship by descent?
• How to get Portuguese citizenship
• Documents required for Portuguese citizenship by descent application

Portugal citizenship by descent, also known as citizenship by ancestry or origin, refers to the acquisition of citizenship based on familial or ancestral ties to the country.

Portugal offers citizenship by descent to individuals who have a Portuguese parent or grandparent, with specific requirements for each generation.

This pathway allows you to acquire citizenship without needing to live in Portugal, though you must provide extensive documentation, including birth and marriage certificates, to prove your lineage to an ancestor who was a Portuguese citizen and did not lose their citizenship.

If a direct line ancestor, such as a parent or grandparent, holds Portuguese citizenship, foreign individuals can acquire Portuguese citizenship without needing to reside in Portugal. This is one of the easiest ways to obtain Portuguese citizenship.

However, Portuguese nationality law provides two pathways to citizenship: by origin (original assignment) and by acquisition.

• Nationality by origin is granted at birth, typically through descent from a Portuguese parent. Portugal applies the principle of jus sanguinis (“right of blood”), allowing citizenship to pass from a Portuguese parent to their child.
• Nationality by acquisition is granted later in life through naturalization or marriage.

Birth in the Portuguese territory (jus soli) may also confer Portuguese citizenship by birth in certain circumstances. Those who obtain citizenship at birth or through descent are considered Portuguese citizens of origin.

So, if you can prove that you have Portuguese parents or grandparents who are officially acknowledged as Portuguese citizens, you may be eligible to claim Portuguese citizenship by ancestry.

Visa-free travel within the EU: Portuguese citizenship allows you to live, work, and travel within the European Union.

Access to high-quality healthcare: You gain access to the country’s robust healthcare system, ensuring comprehensive medical services and well-being.

Educational opportunities: Portuguese citizens can enroll in the nation’s reputable educational institutions.

Cultural connection and sense of belonging: Portuguese citizenship establishes a cultural connection and enhances the sense of belonging.

Interconnected legacy: Portuguese citizenship acquired through descent often extends to future generations, creating a lasting familial legacy.

High quality of life: Portugal is renowned for its high standard of living and good quality of life, adding to the benefits of citizenship by descent.

Portuguese law outlines clear criteria for how to get Portuguese citizenship through parents or grandparents in your family tree:

Child of a Portuguese parent

If you are born in Portugal to a Portuguese citizen, you automatically acquire Portuguese citizenship at birth.

If you are born outside Portugal to a Portuguese citizen, you are eligible for citizenship by descent, but it requires an administrative step.

If the Portuguese parent was serving the Portuguese State abroad (e.g., as a diplomat or military personnel), citizenship is automatic.

Otherwise, the child’s birth must be registered with Portuguese civil authorities, or the child must declare the wish to be Portuguese. There is no age limit, as an adult child can register later to claim citizenship by origin.

Grandchild of a Portuguese citizen

If you have at least one Portuguese grandparent, you can apply for citizenship by descent, provided the grandparent did not lose their nationality. You must:

• Declare your intention to be Portuguese.
• Demonstrate an effective connection to the Portuguese community.
• Register your birth in the Portuguese civil registry.

There is no age restriction for grandchildren applying, but establishing a connection to Portugal is essential. Great-grandchildren are generally not directly eligible unless their parent or grandparent obtains Portuguese citizenship first. Citizenship must be recognized generation by generation, meaning that it can’t skip a generation.

Portuguese citizenship for Sephardic Jews

The Portuguese government allows for citizenship through Sephardic Jewish descent, but the process can be complex. Sephardic Jewish ancestry is that of those who descended from the traditional Jewish communities of the Iberian Peninsula (modern Portugal and Spain).

The law applies not only to people who currently practice Judaism but also to those who can prove a traditional Sephardic cultural connection, such as having a family history of using the Ladino language and having Sephardic Jewish ancestry in their family tree.

An immigration lawyer can help you gather a certified copy of death certificates, proving the succession line, and complete the application form.

Proving an effective connection to the national community ensures a genuine link to Portugal, and the government has set out several ways to prove it:

• Portuguese language proficiency: Showing the ability to speak and understand Portuguese.
• Cultural and community involvement: Participation in Portuguese cultural associations, frequent visits to Portugal, or engagement in Portuguese traditions.

While cultural involvement helps, language proficiency is the primary legal requirement for demonstrating effective ties. The following documents serve as acceptable evidence:

• Certificate of proficiency obtained from a Portuguese private school or public school.
• Certificate of proficiency issued by the Portuguese Consulate during residency abroad, provided the Portuguese proficiency exam was taken through the Center of Evaluation of
• Portuguese Language (CIPLE) in Portugal or in other designated exam centers worldwide.
• Certification of proficiency in Standard European Portuguese as a second language from any authorized Portuguese Evaluation Centre.
• Diploma conferred by a recognized Portuguese public or private educational institution.
• Submission of the school diploma suffices for graduates of public or private schools in Portuguese-speaking countries.
• In cases where literacy isn’t attained, alternative proof demonstrating proficiency in Portuguese is accepted.

To apply for Portuguese citizenship by descent, you need to establish your claim to Portuguese ancestry through parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents.

Applications can be made at the Institute of Registries and Notaries (IRN) in Lisbon or Porto, online with a legal representative, or in person at the Civil Registry or Portuguese Consulate.

The first step is to gather documentation proving your lineage, such as birth, death, and marriage certificates. The process may vary slightly based on whether you are applying through parents or grandparents.

Required Documents for Portugal’s Citizenship by Descent

Below is a comprehensive list of the documents that you’ll generally need to apply for Portuguese citizenship by descent:

• Official application form
• Birth certificate, which must include the names of both your parents.
• Copy of Portuguese parent or grandparent identity document
• Certified copy of the grandparents’ marriage certificate
• A copy of your valid passport or ID
• A criminal record check will be conducted.
• Proof of affairs or ties with Portugal

The required documents may vary depending on the specific circumstances of your lineage.

You must ensure that all your documents are properly certified and officially translated into Portuguese and legalized beforehand, either with the Apostille of the Hague Convention or by the Portuguese Consulate and Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the country where the document was issued.

After successfully obtaining Portuguese citizenship by descent, the next step is to apply for your Portuguese passport.

This travel document verifies your status as a Portuguese citizen and grants you the freedom to move within the European Union and other countries.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you through the process of obtaining a Portuguese passport:

• Eligibility: Ensure you have your Portuguese Citizenship Card as proof of your Portuguese citizenship.
• Schedule appointment: Book an appointment at the nearest Portuguese Embassy or local Portuguese Consulate in your country of residence or AIMA if you’re in Portugal.
• Prepare documents: Gather all the necessary documents, including your Portuguese Citizen Card, proof of payment for passport fees, and a completed passport application form.
• Attend appointment: Attend the appointment in person as you may also need to have biometric data (like fingerprints) taken.
• Pay fees: Pay the required application fee for the passport application. Generally, you can pay by debit or credit card, though some consulates accept a money order.
• Collection or delivery: After your application is processed and approved, you’ll receive your Portuguese passport.

The Portuguese passport needs to be renewed every five years for adults and every two years for children under the age of five. Always check the expiry date and start the renewal process well in advance of any planned travel.

Processing Portuguese citizenship applications can take up to a few months for the children of Portuguese parents and a couple of years in other circumstances. This duration is due to the multiple checks and processes involved in verifying and confirming all the information provided.

The fee for Portuguese citizenship applications is typically between €175 to €200. Generally, your payment options are a debit card, Portuguese bank checks, or a postal order.

There are several organizations and entities that are involved in the process or can be utilized to find the documentation required to prove your ties to Portugal and obtain Portuguese citizenship:

• Conservatória dos Registos Centrais – The Portuguese central registry office where applications for Portuguese citizenship are processed.

• Portuguese Embassy and Consulates—These are International offices where application documents are acquired and submitted outside Portugal. If you need to make an appointment, check with your local consulate.

• Instituto dos Registos e do Notariado (IRN) – Portuguese government agency responsible for registering and notarizing civil, property, commercial, and vehicle records, ensuring legal documentation and public trust.

• Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras (SEF) – This organization has been replaced by The Agency for Migration and Asylum (AIMA), which is now responsible for managing immigration, asylum, and border control.

• Portuguese Civil Registry Offices – District offices where births, deaths, and marriages are officially documented and registered. This is where you’ll find documentation for family ties to Portugal.

Why choose Global Citizen Solutions for your Portugal Golden Visa?

• Global approach by local experts: A team of experienced local case executives, immigration lawyers, and investment specialists based in Portugal.
• Independent service:We are not a marketing agency for any projects. You will access all eligible routes for the Golden Visa, with over 40 vetted qualifying investment options, so you can decide on the best option for you.
• 100% approval rate: We have the unique distinction of never having had a Golden Visa case rejected and have helped hundreds of clients from more than 35 countries.
• All-encompassing solution: Our dedicated onboarding and immigration teams will assist you throughout the process and beyond with a single channel of communication. 
• Transparency: Our fees are clear and detailed, covering the entire process with no hidden costs. 
• Privacy: Your personal data is stored within a GDPR-compliant database on a secure SSL-encrypted server.

To see the full list of reasons why to work with Global Citizen Solutions for your Portugal Golden Visa, you can find out more here: Why Work with Global Citizen Solutions for Your Golden Visa Portugal Application?

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Are you eligible for the D7 Visa?

The D7 Visa, also known as the retiree or passive income visa, is perfect for individuals who want to relocate to Portugal. The Eligibility Test below will provide a clear answer regarding your qualifications for the program.

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The visa is for applicants who intend to stay in Portugal for over one year. To qualify, the primary applicant must demonstrate and maintain regular income from passive sources like pensions, real estate, dividends and the like, equivalent to at least 870 EUR per month.

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The D8 Visa, also known as the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa, is perfect for individuals who work remotely and want to live in Portugal. The Eligibility Test below will provide a clear answer regarding your qualifications for the program.

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To qualify, the primary applicant must demonstrate their means of subsistence, by providing evidence of a work contract, a self-employed contract, or business ownership. The income amount must be at least four times Portugal's national minimum monthly wage (870EUR). For the year 2025, the minimum amount is 3,480EUR

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All fields - Golden Visa

GF22 Form Submission - Portugal Golden Visa ➡ MESSAGE Comment: ∞ DNA Name: Phone: Email: Nationality: Country of residence: ⦿ INTEREST: Portugal Golden Visa Golden visa stage: Timeframe: Aware of €250,000 investment?: Interested in Cheaper Option: Move forward with inquiry: Type of investment: Will your family also apply: More about your family: Visiting Portugal soon: Visiting when?

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All fields - D7

GF22 Form Submission - Portugal D7 ➡ MESSAGE Comment: ∞ DNA Name: Phone: Email: Nationality: Country of residence: ⦿ INTEREST: Portugal D7 Are you a pensioner/retired: Do you receive regular payments: Is your passive income at least €10,440 per year: Sources of passive income: Will your family also apply: Relocating to Portugal? Relocating when? Visiting Portugal soon: Visiting when? Portugal accommodation assistance: Portugal NIF/Bank account assistance:

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All fields - D8

GF22 Form Submission - Portugal D8 ➡ MESSAGE Comment: ∞ DNA Name: Phone: Email: Nationality: Country of residence: ⦿ INTEREST: Portugal D8 Work remotely from Portugal: Duration of your stay: Timeframe: Income at least €3,480: Will your family also apply: Visiting Portugal soon: Visiting when? Portugal accommodation assistance: Portugal NIF / bank account assistance:

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All fields - Residence

GF22 Form Submission - Residence in Portugal ➡ MESSAGE Comment: Additional info: ∞ DNA Name: Phone: Email: Nationality: Country of residence: ⦿ INTEREST Visa interested in: Timeframe: Will your family also apply: More about your family: Interest in second program: