Eligibility Quiz
Was at least one of your parents or grandparents born in Portugal and did they retain their Portuguese nationality?
Application Process
You can apply for Portuguese citizenship by descent (jure sanguinis) if you have a parent or grandparent who was a Portuguese citizen. While the process is primarily handled through the Institute of Registries and Notaries (Instituto dos Registos e do Notariado or IRN), the steps vary depending on whether you are applying as a child or a grandchild.
Route 1: For Children of Portuguese Citizens (Article 1.1.c)
If your mother or father was born in Portugal or acquired Portuguese citizenship before you were born, you are eligible for "original" nationality.
- Locate the Birth Certificate: You must find your parent’s Portuguese birth certificate (Assento de Nascimento). If you don't have a copy, you can request one via the Civil Online portal.
- Prepare Your Documents: You will need your own full-form birth certificate, issued within the last 6 months, legalized with an Apostille, and translated into Portuguese by a certified translator.
- Complete Form 1C: Download and fill out Form 1C. Your signature must be witnessed in person at a Portuguese consulate or notarized and Apostilled.
- Submit the Application: You can mail your documents to the Central Registry Office (Conservatória dos Registos Centrais) in Lisbon or submit them in person at a Portuguese Consulate or a Citizen’s Shop (Loja do Cidadão).
Route 2: For Grandchildren of Portuguese Citizens (Article 1.1.d)
If your parent did not have Portuguese citizenship, but your grandparent did, you can apply directly. Note that you must prove a "relevant connection" to the Portuguese community.
- Gather Ancestry Records: You need the Portuguese birth certificate of your grandparent and the birth certificates of your parent (to prove the link).
- Prove Language Proficiency: You must demonstrate a basic knowledge of the Portuguese language (Level A2 or higher). This is usually proven by a certificate from a recognized school or the CAPLE exam. If you are from a Portuguese-speaking country, your birth certificate is usually sufficient proof.
- Criminal Record Checks: You must provide criminal record certificates from every country where you have lived since age 16. These must be Apostilled and translated.
- Complete Form 1D: Fill out Form 1D and have your signature legalized.
- Submit to the Central Registry: Grandchild applications are processed exclusively by the Central Registry Office in Lisbon. You can mail these or submit them via a consulate.
Route 3: For Great-Grandchildren
Portugal does not have a direct "great-grandparent" clause. To obtain citizenship, your parent or grandparent must first obtain theirs. Once they become Portuguese, you can then apply as the child or grandchild of a citizen.
Fees
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Adult Application (Child of Portuguese Parent) | €175 |
| Adult Application (Grandchild of Portuguese Parent) | €175 |
| Minor Application (Under 18) | Free |
| Birth Certificate via Civil Online | €10 |
| Portuguese Citizen Card (Cartão de Cidadão) | €15 - €20 |
Total Estimate: Approximately €200 - €250 per adult, excluding document preparation. Does not include: Apostille fees in your home country, professional translation services, CAPLE exam fees (approx. €75), or postage costs.
Processing Time
The timeline for citizenship depends heavily on the volume of applications at the Central Registry.
- Children of Portuguese Citizens: Usually takes 6 to 12 months.
- Grandchildren of Portuguese Citizens: Usually takes 24 to 36 months due to the additional verification of language and community ties.
- Document Validity: Most foreign documents (like birth certificates and criminal records) are only considered valid by the Portuguese authorities for 6 months from the date of issuance. Ensure your timeline accounts for shipping and translation so documents do not expire before submission.