Many people think that being born in Portugal automatically makes you a citizen, but the reality is more nuanced. Portugal does not grant citizenship just because you were born on its soil, and it is not only about having Portuguese parents.
Instead, your nationality depends on a mix of your family background, where you were born, and your legal status at birth. This makes a big difference for foreign families living in Portugal, children born here to non-Portuguese parents, and people with Portuguese roots living abroad.
In this article, we’ll explain Portuguese citizenship by birth, when it is automatically granted, and the procedures that citizens, residents, and foreigners must follow to obtain it.
Portuguese Citizenship by Birth: Key Takeaways
Does Portugal give citizenship by birth?
Yes, Portugal does offer citizenship by birth, but there are some conditions. The country uses a mix of citizenship by descent and by place of birth, so whether a child qualifies depends on a few key rules.
If at least one parent is Portuguese, their child will automatically be a Portuguese citizen from birth, no matter where in the world they are born. For children born outside Portugal, parents just need to register the birth with the Portuguese authorities or at a consulate.
Being born in Portugal does not always mean automatic citizenship. However, if a child is born in Portugal and at least one parent has lived legally in Portugal for at least a year, the child can acquire Portuguese citizenship at birth. However, proposed changes to Portugal’s Nationality Law could soon change the residency time required from one year to three years.
It’s also possible for some people to apply for Portuguese citizenship later in life, even if their parents are not Portuguese. For example, grandchildren of Portuguese citizens may be eligible, as long as they can show a real connection to Portugal and meet the legal requirements. This process is not automatic at birth, but can be done later on.
Portuguese citizenship is also granted to a child born in Portugal who would otherwise be stateless.
Who can apply for Portuguese citizenship by birth?
Under Portuguese law, citizenship by birth is attributed in clearly defined situations. It is not discretionary, and it does not depend on later residence or integration if the legal criteria are met at the time of birth.
| Scenario | Place of Birth | Parent Status | Citizenship Acquired at Birth? | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Child of a Portuguese parent | Portugal or abroad | At least one parent is Portuguese at time of birth | Yes | Birth abroad must be registered |
| Child born in Portugal to foreign parents | Portugal | At least one parent legally resident for minimum 1 year at time of birth | Yes | Residence must be lawful |
| Child born in Portugal who would otherwise be stateless | Portugal | Parents unable to transmit nationality | Yes | Statelessness safeguard |
| Child born in Portugal to foreign parents without qualifying residence | Portugal | No parent meets residency requirement | No | May qualify later under other provisions |
Citizenship by birth vs. citizenship by descent: What’s the difference?
Citizenship by birth and Portuguese citizenship by descent may sound similar, but the law treats them as distinct.
If you’re born to at least one Portuguese parent, or you’re born in Portugal and your family meets certain residency rules, you automatically become a Portuguese citizen from day one, as long as the legal requirements are met.
Citizenship by descent is for those born outside Portugal to Portuguese parents. In these cases, you’re considered Portuguese from birth, but you need to register your citizenship with the authorities before it’s officially recognized.
This difference matters even more for the grandchildren of Portuguese citizens. Unlike children, grandchildren aren’t automatically Portuguese at birth. Instead, they need to apply and show a real connection to Portugal through a separate process.
Knowing the difference explains why some people are Portuguese citizens from birth, while others need to go through an application to get their nationality recognized.
How to Register a Birth in Portugal
If the child meets (or will meet in the future) the requirements for citizenship, the birth registration is the first step in Portugal’s citizenship by birth.
Assuming the child is born in Portugal, the birth can be registered online by either parent, if the parents are married. In the case where they aren’t married, both parents must register the birth.
You’ll need a Digital Mobile Key or a Citizen Card for online registrations, so if you don’t have that (in the case of many foreigners), the birth must be registered in person.
This can be done at:
- Any Nascer Cidadão (Newborn Citizen) counter located in a maternity clinic or hospital
- Any civil registry office
- At the consular post for your place of residence, if you live abroad
If a child is entitled to Portuguese nationality at birth, the next step is to register the birth with the Portuguese Civil Registry. This can be done at a local registry office in Portugal or at a Portuguese Consulate if the child was born outside the country.
You’ll need to provide the official birth certificate as the main document. If the certificate was issued outside Portugal, it must be legalized (either with an Apostille or through the Portuguese consulate, depending on the country) and translated into Portuguese if needed. The authorities will also check the parents’ ID and civil status records.
If a child’s Portuguese nationality was not registered right away, their legal representatives can still regularize their status while they are minors. For those born abroad to a Portuguese parent whose birth was never registered, it’s still possible to register later, as long as the parent was Portuguese at the time. In these cases, nationality is considered to have existed from birth.
If you were not automatically given Portuguese nationality at birth, different rules apply. Adults applying for citizenship through ancestry, such as grandchildren of Portuguese citizens, need to go through a formal application process and meet the requirements in place at the time. This is a separate process from nationality given at birth.
Required documents
To register a birth online or in person, you must:
- Provide proof of birth in the form of a document issued by the hospital where the child was born
- State the full names of the parents and grandparents
- Indicate the details of the birth and the child, such as the name, which must adhere to certain rules (no more than two given names and four surnames)
- Specify the maternity clinic or hospital where the child was born
- If you are applying for online registration and want to apply for the Citizen’s Card, choose the “yes” option, attach a photo of the baby and proof of birth
- Provide certain details relating to the birth and the household as required by Statistics Portugal (for births in Portugal).
In short, Portugal’s birthright pathways remain broad yet document-driven. Gather the paperwork, mind the translations, and keep an eye on the Diário da República; with those steps, families—whether locals, expats, or investors—can navigate the process confidently and secure the future of their newest citizens.
Citizen Cards for Portuguese Nationals
By law, all Portuguese citizens, whether in the country or abroad, must have a Citizen Card. It is compulsory from the 20th day after birth. If the child has Portugal citizenship, you can apply for a Citizen Card when registering the birth and its free of charge.
This is a crucial step in Portuguese citizenship, as the issuing of a Citizen Card assigns a Civil Identification Number to the child, in addition to:
- Tax Identification Number (NIF)
- Social Security Identification Number (NISS)
- National health service user number (Utente)
How to Apply for Portugal Citizenship by Birth
If the child meets the requirements of being under the age of 18, was born in Portugal, is the child of foreigners and the mother or father has resided (or are residents) in Portugal for the last 5 years, an application for Portugal’s citizenship by birth can be made.
Note that the process and requirements are different from Portugal citizenship by descent.
If you have a representative or a Portugal immigration lawyer, the application can be done online. If you don’t, there are several places where you can do this yourself, including:
- The Civil Registry Conservatory
- At certain Nationality Counters, such as the one at the Central Archive in Porto
- Central Registry Conservatory in Lisbon
- National Support Center for Migrant Integration in Lisbon and Porto
There are several documents that you’ll need for Portugal’s citizenship by birth application. These include a birth certificate and a clean criminal record if the applicant is 17 years or younger.
The most crucial document needed is a letter addressed to the Minister of Justice, written in Portuguese, stating:
- The reason for the Citizenship by Birth application
- Your full name, date of birth and gender
- Your nationality
- Your parents’ names
- Your profession
- Your address
- the country(s) where you have lived after the age of 16
- the number, date, and entity that issued your title or residence permit, passport, or equivalent identification document.
Portuguese Dual Citizenship
Portugal does allow dual citizenship. While the country does not have specific dual nationality agreements, the Portuguese government, in line with Portuguese nationality law, does allow second citizenship with several countries.
To become a Portuguese citizen and, simultaneously, an EU citizen, you do not need to give up your original citizenship. You can discover more in our Portugal Dual Citizenship application guide.
Individuals can maintain ties with their home country, but it is important to note that to gain dual citizenship in Portugal, you must meet certain criteria. These can include living in the country for at least five years as a legal resident (naturalization route), or having Portuguese ancestry (citizenship by descent).
Alternatively, you must have been married, have a valid marriage certificate, or have been in a de facto (non-marital) partnership with a Portuguese national for over three years to meet this residency requirement.
Citizenship for Children of Portuguese Golden Visa Holders
After five years (for now) of being a legal resident, the Portugal Golden Visa holder can apply for Portuguese citizenship. This entitlement is extended to children and follows the same process of providing proof of a Portuguese connection and a birth certificate when applying for citizenship.
⚠️ Update on Portugal's Nationality Law Changes
On 28 October 2025, Portugal's parliament approved key amendments of the Nationality Law, including increasing the residency requirement for citizenship from 5 to 10 years, and 7 years for CPLP nationals and EU citizens. This will significantly impact how visa holders and residents acquire citizenship.
However, these changes are not yet law. They must still undergo Presidential review where the President may promulgate the law, issue a veto, or request a review by the Constitutional Court. The final text may still be amended but they might not be enacted because the law is not final until its promulgated.
For the latest information regarding these changes, read Portugal Nationality and Citizenship Changes 2025
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