Portugal offers several advantages, including a terrific climate, amazing natural beauty, and a low cost of living. And to top it all off, Portugal is among the safest nations in the world.
It is also important to note that it has a good reputation, is regarded as one of the world’s most globally integrated and peaceful countries, and has a very high Human Development Index position.
It is one of the oldest countries in Europe, with a vibrant culture, delectable cuisine, breathtaking beaches, and a beautiful landscape.
Everything you want to know about the procedure will be covered in this article, including who is qualified, how long it takes, as well as the required paperwork so keep on reading.
Citizenship in Portugal
Article 4 of Portugal’s Constitution’s Fundamental Principles forms the basis of Portuguese citizenship law.
Since then, there have been many changes to the law, most notably the Nationality Law of 1981, which simplified the descent and constrained the birthplace paths to citizenship.
Today, the principal routes to Portuguese citizenship are:
- Birth or descent
- Naturalization of foreign residents
- Marriage
- Adoption
- Investment
- Living in a Portuguese foreign territory
- Jews of Sephardic descent
Depending on the route you are eligible for, you might need to satisfy a residency requirement, which through the naturalization process, might be up to 5 years.
It used to be six years, but that was in 2018. Since then, there have been more petitions for Portuguese citizenship. In 2020, the government issued a record 149,157 citizenships.
Portugal offers citizenship as an option for long-term residency. Although the two are comparable, Portuguese citizenship has more advantages, including the ability to vote throughout all and the possession of a passport as well as a citizen card (in Portuguese).elections
The process of becoming a citizen is more challenging, and if your native country forbids dual citizenship, you might have to give up your current status.
How can you get Portugal citizenship by investment?
Well, you must know that portugal citizenship by investment is not granted in Portugal. The nation does, however, have a program known as the “Golden Visa”. Through the Golden Visa process, anyone prepared and able to make a substantial investment in Portugal may apply for citizenship.
Theoretically, you must have lived in Portugal for five years to be granted this visa. However, in reality, you simply need to have spent seven days a year in Portugal for the previous five years to qualify.
You also need to have a minimum A2 level of Portuguese language proficiency and spend around €250,000 as well as €1.5 million in Portugal.
Also, keep in mind that for €250, you can apply the normal process. Through the Golden Visa program, you must verify that you have lived in Portugal for five years.
Citizenship by the naturalization route
The most typical approach to becoming a citizen of just about any country is to stay there long enough. That period is five years in Portugal (previously six). Although this is usual, it need not be five years straight.
Those five years may be divided into 15 years. How long you have resided in Portugal is often determined by your residence permit.
It’s unlikely that you will be able to count these certain years toward your citizenship application if you have been residing in Portugal without a visa, as many citizens of other EU nations do.
Does Portugal grant citizenship through marriage?
You might be able to gain Portuguese citizenship through your Portuguese-speaking partner or spouse. An applicant for Portuguese citizenship must be a non-citizen who has been married to or in a committed relationship with a Portuguese citizen for at least three years. You don’t have to spend those three years residing in Portugal.
After divorce, you’re no longer qualified. Legal requirements do not include being married. Portugal is a step ahead of other nations in that it treats long-term, committed relationships—known as a “de facto union” in Portugal—in the same way as marriage.
It’s important to note that merely being married to or being in a relationship with a Portuguese citizen does not automatically grant you a passport. It’s crucial to demonstrate your connections to Portugal as well as the Portuguese community when going on the marriage path.
Examples of connections to Portugal include having a basic understanding of the language (A2 or higher), owning property there, or moving here. The more connections you can present the better.
The origin route – parents and grandparents
You might be able to obtain Portuguese citizenship if one of your parents is Portuguese. You might also be able to become a citizen of Portugal if you were born abroad and have Portuguese grandparents. If your parents were not Portuguese when you were born in Portugal, but they were able to live there lawfully for the past five years, you could be able to obtain Portuguese citizenship.
If your parents were not Portuguese when you were born in Portugal, but they were able to live there lawfully for the past five years, you could be able to obtain Portuguese citizenship.
Great-grandparents are typically seen as being too distant in time, but if your parent or grandparent is still alive and able to do so, you can get around this problem by having them apply for citizenship first.
This is one of the simplest ways to become a citizen of Portugal because you frequently simply need to obtain paperwork like birth as well as marriage certificates.
The adoption path
You can apply for citizenship in Portugal if you are adopted by Portuguese parents. Unfortunately, you must be younger than 18 to qualify for this adoption because Portuguese law does not permit parents to adopt children who are older than 18.
Conclusion
To conclude, there are various pathways for you to get citizenship in Portugal. Portugal makes it easier and faster for people to get citizenship (5 years instead of 10), unlike various other countries.
If you are thinking about getting citizenship in Portugal then you should make use of the information above to help make the process easier and use the most suitable pathway for you.
