Eligibility Quiz
Are you currently married to or in a legally recognized civil union with a Portuguese citizen?
Requirements
To qualify for citizenship through this pathway, you must meet specific criteria regarding the length of your relationship and your connection to Portugal.
1. Duration of the Union
- Marriage: You must have been married to a Portuguese citizen for at least three years at the time of your application.
- De Facto Union (União de Facto): If you are not married but live in a civil partnership, you must have lived together for at least three years. This union must be legally recognized by a civil court in Portugal.
2. Effective Ties to Portugal
The Portuguese government may oppose your application if they believe you do not have a sufficient connection to the country. However, these ties are legally presumed (meaning you do not need to provide extra proof) in the following scenarios:
- 6 Years of Union: If you have been married or in a union for at least six years, the requirement for ties is automatically waived.
- 5 Years + Language: If you have been together for five years and can prove A2 level proficiency in the Portuguese language.
- Common Children: If you have children together who are already Portuguese citizens, the three-year minimum applies, but your ties are generally presumed.
- Legal Residence: If you have lived legally in Portugal for at least three years and provide proof of language proficiency.
3. Disqualifiers and Security
Under the 2025 legal amendments, the government has strengthened its ability to reject applicants who pose a risk. You will be disqualified if:
- You have been convicted of a crime that carries a prison sentence of three years or more under Portuguese law.
- You are deemed a threat to national security or have ties to terrorism.
- You hold a non-technical public office or perform voluntary military service for a foreign state.
Conditions & Warnings
The marriage or union must remain intact throughout the entire processing period; a divorce before final registration will result in the loss of the right to nationality.
Significant backlogs exist as of 2026, with actual processing times often reaching 3 to 4 years despite shorter official estimates.
Foreign criminal records often expire (3-6 months validity) during the long wait times; applicants should be prepared to provide updated records upon request.
Qualifications
No language requirement for the 3-year baseline, but A2 level proficiency (CIPLE) can be used to presume effective ties after 5 years of union.
Fees
Standard fee for acquisition by declaration of will.