Portuguese Citizenship: Descent vs Naturalization

Three ways to become a Portuguese citizen — three different paths

Portuguese citizenship can be acquired through several routes, but the most relevant for those not born in Portugal are three: by naturalization (residing legally in Portugal for a certain number of years), by descent (having Portuguese ancestors), or through marriage or civil union with a Portuguese citizen. Each of these routes has different requirements, different timelines, and practical implications that are worth understanding before deciding which path to follow.

Citizenship by naturalization — the residency path

Naturalization is the best-known route — and the one most directly linked to the Golden Visa and other residency programs. It requires a minimum period of legal residency in Portugal, varying by nationality:

• EU and CPLP citizens: 7 years (since May 2026)
• All other nationalities: 10 years (since May 2026)

Beyond the residency period, naturalization requires: absence of criminal convictions, knowledge of the Portuguese language (assessed by A2 test or equivalent), and sufficient means of subsistence.

The starting point of the timeline is the issuance of the first valid residence permit — not the date of entry into Portugal, nor the date of investment for those with a Golden Visa.

Citizenship by descent — the bloodline path

Citizenship by descent is completely independent of residency in Portugal. A grandchild or great-grandchild of a Portuguese person can apply for Portuguese citizenship without having lived a single day in Portugal — and without any investment requirement.

Portuguese law allows applying for citizenship by descent in the following cases:

• Children of Portuguese citizens: automatically, regardless of place of birth
• Grandchildren of Portuguese citizens: possible, but with additional requirements — notably that the grandchild demonstrates an effective connection to the Portuguese community (demonstrable in various ways)

Citizenship through marriage or civil union

A foreigner married to a Portuguese citizen, or in a recognised civil union, can apply for naturalization after 3 years of marriage or union — significantly less than the general naturalization period. This timeline was not changed by the May 2026 law.

Which route is fastest?

It depends on each person's situation:

• Do you have Portuguese ancestors? Descent may be the fastest route — with no minimum residency requirement.
• Are you married to a Portuguese citizen? Naturalization through marriage (3 years) is faster than the general route.
• Are you Brazilian with a Golden Visa? CPLP naturalization (7 years) or the Luso-Brazilian Treaty (2 years with equality of rights status) are the options via the residency route.
• No Portuguese ancestry, no Portuguese spouse, and not from the CPLP? General 10-year naturalization is the main route — but nothing prevents investigating the family tree for Portuguese ancestors.

Can these routes be combined?

Yes, in certain cases. For example, someone who has started the naturalization process through residency may discover, in the meantime, that they are entitled to citizenship by descent — and opt for that route, which may be faster. The two routes are not mutually exclusive, and the analysis of the most efficient path should consider all available options for each applicant.