Portugal dual citizenship is one of the most highly sought-after options for people seeking a second passport or dual citizenship. A person doesn’t need to give up his/her previous citizenship to qualify for Portuguese nationality. Portugal has five different way to gain citizenship: Ancestry, Marriage, Residency and Investment Citizenship.
In Portugal, you get visa-free access to 188 countries, as well as full EU citizenship rights. Citizenship usually takes between 2-6 years, based on your route of citizenship. Application costs varies from €200 per application through ancestry to €500, 000+ for investment programs. This guide makes the whole process of gaining dual citizenship in Portugal clear and concise.
Lets get right into it!
Table of contents
- What Are the Different Ways to Get Portugal Dual Citizenship?
- How Do You Prove Portuguese Ancestry for Dual Citizenship?
- What’s the Complete Process for Naturalization-Based Portugal Dual Citizenship?
- How Much Does the Golden Visa Route to Portugal Dual Citizenship Cost?
- What Documents Do You Need and How Long Does Portugal Dual Citizenship Take?
- FAQs
- Conclusion
- Recommendations
What Are the Different Ways to Get Portugal Dual Citizenship?
Portugal offers five distinct paths to Dual Citizenship. These come with specific requirements and application timeframes – you’ll want to know which one to follow in order to prepare for your application.
Citizenship by descent (Jus Sanguinis)
To qualify, you should have at least one Portuguese parent born to a Portuguese national, even if you were born anywhere else. This is the fastest way (probably only 12-18 months). You can also qualify through Portuguese grandparents, if they maintained their nationality. Children born to Portuguese citizens automatically become citizens no matter where they were born.
Naturalization Through Residency
To qualify, you must be legally resident in Portugal for at least 5 years, fluent in the Portuguese language, clean criminal record and integration into the Portuguese community (you must remain in Portugal continuously for at least 5 years with temporary or permanent residency status). The language requirement requires completing an A2-level exam in Portuguese.
Marriage to Portuguese Citizen
Foreign spouses can apply for dual Portuguese citizenship after marriage to a Portuguese national for 3 years (you don’t necessarily have to live in Portugal during this time, but it does require that you show that you have an ongoing relationship, and have basic Portuguese language skills. Same – sex marriages are recognised by Portuguese law).
Golden Visa Investment Program
After passing these requirements and receiving approval for the Golden Visa, one can apply for citizenship after 5 years. One can invest in investment funds in the amount of €500, 000, in research activities in the amount of €350, 000 or in arts and culture in the amount of €250, 000, the investment only requires 7 days per year stay in Portugal.
Sephardic Jewish Heritage
Portugal permits the citizenship of descendants of Sephardic Jews who were expelled from Portugal in the 15th century. You have to prove Sephardic descent through genealogical records and be related to Portuguese Sephardic communities.
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How Do You Prove Portuguese Ancestry for Dual Citizenship?
Proving Portuguese ancestry for dual citizenship requires extensive documentation and careful preparation. This route is often the most cost-effective but can be document-intensive.
Required Documents for Parent-Based Claims:
- Your birth certificate showing Portuguese parent’s name
- Parent’s Portuguese birth certificate or citizenship certificate
- Parent’s passport or national identity card from time of your birth
- Marriage certificate of your parents (if applicable)
- All documents must be original or certified copies with apostille certification
Grandparent-Based Claims Process:
Criminal Clearance issued by the country where the applicant was born, from where he holds his citizenship and of all countries he has ever lived after turning 16 years old. You’ll also need:
- Your birth certificate
- Parent’s birth certificate
- Grandparent’s Portuguese birth certificate
- Proof that grandparent maintained Portuguese nationality
- Family tree documentation linking you to Portuguese grandparent
Step-by-Step Documentation Process:
- Gather family documents – Start with your birth certificate and work backwards
- Contact Portuguese archives – Request certified copies of ancestral documents
- Obtain apostille certification – All foreign documents need apostille from issuing country
- Get professional translations – Documents must be translated to Portuguese by certified translators
- Compile criminal background checks – Required from every country you’ve lived in since age 16
Many applicants have problems with documents missing, or names changing over generations. Portuguese Archives have records that go back as far as the 1800’s, but you could still need to look into hiring genealogists. Set a budget of €1, 000-€3, 000 for professional document retrieval/translation services.
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What’s the Complete Process for Naturalization-Based Portugal Dual Citizenship?
To naturalize in Portugal dual citizenship is the most common procedure for non-EU residents as it requires a very detailed plan and documentation over a period of 5 years.
Phase 1: The initial residence (Months 1-4)
This is achieved by obtaining a residence visa by working or studying, seeing a family reunion or doing your own business. D7 visa (passive income) and D2 visa (entrepreneurship) are popular choices. Required documents include:
- Visa application form
- Criminal background check with apostille
- Health insurance coverage
- Proof of accommodation in Portugal
- Financial means documentation (€760+ monthly income)
- Medical certificate
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Phase 2: Maintaining Legal residence (Years 1-5)
You have to be a legal resident in Portugal for at least 5 years before applying for citizenship. Also follow the guidelines of your specific pathway. The required documents include:
- Renew residence permits on schedule (typically every 2 years)
- Keep tax resident status by spending 183+ days per year in Portugal
- File Portuguese tax returns yearly
- Maintain clean criminal record in Portugal and home country
- Begin learning Portuguese language to A2 level minimum
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Phase 3: Citizenship application (Year 5)
A few months before reaching the final 5 years residence, you start to collect citizenship papers:
Six months before completing five years residence, start gathering citizenship documents:
- Portuguese language certificate (for at least A2)
- Updated criminal background checks from all countries of residence
- Portuguese tax clearance certificate
- Social Security contributions record
- Proof of community integration (employment, volunteer work, property ownership)
- Current residence permit and historical permits
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Step-by-Step Application Process:
- Schedule appointment at local municipality (Junta de Freguesia) or online through Portal do Cidadão
- Submit application with complete document package
- Pay application fee of €200
- Attend interview if requested by authorities
- Wait for decision (typically 12-24 months)
- Take oath of nationality if approved
- Apply for Portuguese passport (extra €65 fee)
Timeline and Costs:
- Total process: 6-7 years from initial visa to passport
- Government fees: €200 citizenship + €65 passport
- Additional costs: €2,000-€5,000 for legal assistance, translations, renewals.
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How Much Does the Golden Visa Route to Portugal Dual Citizenship Cost?
The Golden Visa represents the fastest route to Portugal dual citizenship for wealthy applicants, but requires significant upfront investment and ongoing costs.
Investment Options and Minimum Amounts (2025):
- €500,000 in Portuguese investment funds (most popular)
- €350,000 for research projects (feeling philanthropic)
- €250,000 to support arts/culture (bonus: bragging rights)
- €500,000 to create 10+ local jobs (if you fancy being a job creator)
- €200,000 donation for rural development (cheapest, but no ROI)
Complete Cost Breakdown: Initial application costs include investment amount plus:
- Government application fees: €5,147.80 for main applicant
- Family member fees: €2,573.90 per dependent
- Legal and advisory fees: €15,000-€30,000
- Due diligence and document preparation: €5,000-€10,000
- Property insurance and maintenance (if applicable): €2,000-€5,000 annually
Annual Maintenance Requirements: Golden Visa residents must spend at least seven days per year in Portugal to maintain residency rights. Additional ongoing costs:
- Residence permit renewals: €2,573.90 every 2 years
- Tax advisory services: €3,000-€8,000 annually
- Portuguese tax obligations on worldwide income if tax resident
- Investment management fees: 1-2% annually on fund investments
Citizenship Application Timeline:
- Year 1: Initial Golden Visa approval and biometrics
- Years 2-5: Maintain investment and residence requirements
- Year 5: Begin Portuguese language study (A2 level required)
- Year 6: Submit citizenship application with €200 fee
- Year 7: Receive citizenship decision and Portuguese passport
Family Inclusion Benefits: Golden Visa allows inclusion of spouse, dependent children under 26, and dependent parents over 65. Each family member pays separate fees but follows same timeline to citizenship. This can provide Portugal dual citizenship for entire families through single investment.
ROI Considerations: While expensive, Golden Visa provides EU citizenship, visa-free global travel, and potential investment returns. Portugal’s NHR tax program can provide significant tax savings for high-income individuals during first 10 years of residence.
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What Documents Do You Need and How Long Does Portugal Dual Citizenship Take?
Document preparation is crucial for successful Portugal dual citizenship applications. Missing or incorrect documentation causes most application delays and rejections.
Universal Documents Required (All Routes):
- Current passport with validity remaining
- Birth certificate with apostille certification
- Criminal background checks from all countries of residence since age 16
- Proof of Portuguese language proficiency (except ancestry route)
- Completed citizenship application form
- Passport-style photographs (3.5cm x 4.5cm)
- Application fee payment receipt
Route-Specific Additional Documents:
Descent Route:
- Portuguese parent/grandparent’s birth certificate
- Portuguese parent/grandparent’s citizenship proof
- Family relationship documentation (marriage certificates, etc.)
- Genealogical research documentation if grandparent route
Naturalization Route:
- 5 years of continuous residence permits
- Portuguese tax clearance certificate
- Social Security contributions record
- Proof of community integration
- Portuguese language certificate (A2 minimum)
Marriage Route:
- Marriage certificate with apostille
- Spouse’s Portuguese citizenship certificate
- Proof of ongoing marital relationship
- Joint bank statements, property documents, photos
Golden Visa Route: The documentation needed includes proof of investment, a valid passport, and legal entry into Portugal, among other personal and financial documents
- Investment proof and bank statements
- Due diligence background checks
- Health insurance documentation
- Clean criminal record from all countries
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Processing Timeline by Route:
- Descent: 12-18 months from complete application
- Marriage: 18-24 months after 3-year marriage requirement
- Naturalization: 12-24 months after 5-year residence requirement
- Golden Visa: 6-12 months for initial visa, then 12-24 months for citizenship after 5 years
- Sephardic: 18-36 months due to genealogical verification requirements
Document Preparation Timeline: Allow 6-12 months for document collection and preparation. Apostille certification typically takes 2-4 weeks per document. Professional translation services require 1-2 weeks per document. Criminal background checks can take 4-8 weeks internationally.
Application Processing Steps:
- Document review (2-3 months): Authorities verify completeness and authenticity
- Background investigation (6-12 months): Criminal and residency verification
- Language assessment (if required): A2-level Portuguese proficiency test
- Final decision (1-3 months): Approval or rejection notification
- Oath ceremony (1-2 months after approval): Official citizenship ceremony
- Passport application (2-4 weeks): Portuguese passport issuance
Tips to Avoid Delays:
- Use certified translation services familiar with Portuguese requirements
- Obtain documents in order and maintain organization system
- Keep digital and physical copies of all documents
- Work with experienced Portuguese immigration lawyer
- Start language learning early, regardless of route chosen
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FAQs
Yes, Portugal fully allows dual citizenship and there’s no need to give up your original citizenship on any route.
It is possible to include minor children in your parents citizenship application and they get Portuguese citizenship at the same time.
Once you have Portuguese citizenship there is no minimum period of stay to maintain it.
Yes. For descent and marriage through Portuguese consulates. Naturalization requires 5 years of stay in Portugal, though.
A2 level proficiency is needed in naturalization and the Golden Visa route, tested by certified language test.
Generally between €2,000 – €8, 000 depending on the complexity of the case, but the Golden Visa applications is usually priced between €15, 000 – €30, 000.
Conclusion
Portugal Dual Citizenship can be a great potential solution to have EU citizenship, visa free travel all over the world and a right to live anywhere in Europe. The process varies between 12 months for ancestry and 6+ years for naturalization, cost varies from €500+ to €500, 000+ depending on the route taken.
Obviously you would have to prepare the appropriate documents carefully, meet all necessary prerequisites and will probably need professional legal help along the way, but the benefits of Portugal citizenship are far more worth it both in terms of time and money.
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