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How long does Portuguese citizenship take? Applying to be a Portuguese citizen
Portugal has remained a popular destination for both holidaymakers and foreign nationals aiming to emigrate. There are many advantages to living (and working) in Portugal, such as a robust healthcare system and rich culture. After residing in the country for five years, foreign nationals may apply for Portuguese citizenship (cidadania), which allows the foreign national to have the same rights as a resident and a Portuguese passport. However, the application process can vary depending on the path taken.
This guide will examine the average time it takes to obtain Portuguese citizenship, including what to expect and when citizenship lawyers (Advogados) can help.
Click on the links below to jump to that section:
How long a foreign national has to wait to apply for Portuguese citizenship.
Discover how long it takes to apply for Portuguese residency.
The length of time it takes to apply for Portuguese citizenship.
Find out how immigration lawyers can help you become a Portuguese citizen.
Read the most common queries on Portuguese citizenship.
When can you apply for Portuguese citizenship?
If you are aiming to apply for Portuguese citizenship, it is important to understand your eligibility to reduce the risk of your application failing. This depends on the route to citizenship you are taking, including:
- By descent: If one of your parents or grandparents is a Portuguese national, you can apply for citizenship at any point without waiting a particular amount of time.
- By birth: If your parents are not Portuguese but you were born in the country, you can apply for citizenship if you are over 18 and have lived there for at least five years.
- Marriage: To apply for citizenship by marriage, you must have been married to a Portuguese national for at least three years, however, there is no need to reside in Portugal.
- Golden Visa programme: Typically, foreign nationals must live in Portugal for at least five years and invest between €250,000 and €1.5 million. An alternative to this is living in Portugal for seven days per year for five years. Find out more about the Portuguese Golden Visa scheme here.
There are certain exceptions to this standard rule. For example, if you belong to a Sephardic Jewish community or are a descendant, your citizenship application can be fast-tracked without a residency period.
For more information, read our guide on the new changes to Portuguese immigration laws for citizenship by Sephardic Jewish heritage here.
How long does it take to get permanent residency in Portugal?
If you intend to reside in Portugal, obtaining permanent residence (residência permanente) can be beneficial. As opposed to citizenship, permanent residency is a much shorter and cheaper process, enabling a foreign national to live in Portugal indefinitely and access facilities such as public services, healthcare, Portuguese real estate, and setting up a business in Portugal.
With permanent residency (residência permanente), foreign nationals do not have a Portuguese passport and their right to live in Portugal will be lost if they leave the country for two consecutive years. However, they can travel visa-free within the Schengen area to other European countries.
Foreign nationals can apply for Portuguese permanent residency after residing in Portugal for at least five years, similar to the citizenship application. This process can take several weeks; if successful, applicants will receive their residence permit in the post.
If you are aiming to work in Portugal, you may need a work visa (D2 visa) and a residence permit.
Read our full guide on the different visas and permits required by Portuguese foreign nationals here.
How long does it take to obtain Portuguese citizenship?
After submitting the citizenship (cidadania) application with the necessary documentation, it will be processed by the Portuguese Immigration Service (Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras – SEF) to determine validity.
Foreign nationals, if their application has been accepted, will then have a final interview, which is conducted by the Civil Registry Office (Conservatória dos Registos Centrais) or the SEF. During this meeting, documents will be authourised and the officials will assess any ties to the Portuguese community, such as by marriage or naturalisation.
As Portugal receives many citizenship applications every year, this process may vary in length. For EU citizens, applying to be a Portuguese citizen can take several months.
For non-EU citizens, applying to become Portuguese citizens can take several months to two years. This will depend on how quickly the Portuguese government processes the paperwork and whether any issues arise during the screening stage.
How can Giambrone & Partners’ immigration lawyers help?
To reduce the risk of challenges arising, consider instructing expert immigration lawyers who will be able to advise you during the application process for Portuguese citizenship. Citizenship lawyers will help obtain the documentation required, determine whether you are eligible, and help address potential risks in order to ensure the application is not rejected due to an avoidable error or omission.
Giambrone & Partners has a team of experienced multi-lingual and multi-jurisdictional immigration lawyers across Europe, including in Portugal. Our experts are here to support you in applying for Portuguese citizenship and help speed up the process as much as we can.
If you want to apply for Portuguese citizenship and would like a call back, contact Giambrone & Partners today.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get a Portuguese passport after making an application?
Obtaining a Portuguese passport after applying for citizenship typically takes several months. Once citizenship is granted, you must apply for a Portuguese citizen card (Cartão de Cidadão), which can take a few weeks to receive.
After obtaining your citizen card, you can apply for a Portuguese passport. The passport application process generally takes about five to 10 business days, but this can vary depending on demand and the specific circumstances of your application.
How long does it take to get dual citizenship in Portugal?
The length of time it takes to obtain dual citizenship in Portugal depends on the pathway chosen for citizenship. The application process itself can take an additional six months to a year, depending on the complexity of your case and the efficiency of the immigration authorities.
It is also vital to check that your country of origin allows dual citizenship. In some cases, you may need to renounce your existing citizenship before taking Portuguese nationality. This includes countries such as Japan, India, and China.