Uncover the possibilities of Portuguese citizenship through your family lineage with our comprehensive guide. Whether you’ve heard whispers of a Portuguese ancestor or have a strong connection through Brazilian heritage, this article will demystify the process of acquiring Portuguese citizenship by descent.
In this guide, we’ll delve into the eligibility criteria, step-by-step application procedures, required documentation, and the potential benefits that come with Portuguese citizenship. From understanding the concept of jus sanguinis (right of blood) to navigating bureaucratic requirements, we provide essential knowledge and resources to help you pursue Portuguese citizenship through your ancestral ties.
Whether your connection to Portugal spans generations or is rooted in more recent family history, this guide will be your compass on the path to obtaining Portuguese citizenship. By the end of this journey, you’ll have a clear understanding of the requirements and procedures involved, empowering you to make informed decisions and confidently navigate the process.
Unlock the doors to your Portuguese heritage as we unravel the intricacies of Portuguese citizenship by descent, guiding you towards a deeper connection with your roots. Let’s embark on this enlightening journey together.
In this article, we will explore the following subjects:
- Can I get Portuguese citizenship by descent?
- How can I get Portuguese citizenship by descent?
- How long does it take to get Portuguese citizenship by descent?
- Benefits of having Portuguese citizenship
- Can´t I do it by myself? Should I really get a specialized service?
Can I get Portuguese citizenship by descent?
First of all, we have to analyze if you can request – and get! – a Portuguese citizenship by descent. You might have an ancestor that was Portuguese and even so not be eligible, so we will guide through all necessary requirements for this process!
- Portuguese ancestry
The first thing to check is if you have a Portuguese ancestor, and if this ancestor is of the right degree. The Nationality Law in Portugal has undergone a few changes in recent years and, now, your latest Portuguese ancestor needs to be a grandparent. This means that if you are the grandchild – or child – of a Portuguese, you can request your citizenship!
Many people might ask “But what if I only have a great-grandparent who is Portuguese? Will I never be able to get the citizenship?”. And the answer is: not necessarily! In this situation, it might be a little more difficult, but you may also be able to get your Portuguese citizenship!
If the above applies to you, you can request the citizenship for your parent or grandparent – who is the child or grandchild – of your great-grandparent and, once they have their citizenship, you can request yours as well! But for this, the person you are requesting citizenship for – your parent or your grandparent – must be alive, which means you can´t request Portuguese citizenship for a dead relative.
If you still have questions on whether or not you can get the citizenship, do not hesitate to reach a specialized lawyer or company! They are sure to help you with any questions you might have.
- Declaring your intention on getting the citizenship
This is self explanatory and can be done by filling the proper declaration. You will be able to check more details below!
- The government recognizes your connection to the Portuguese community
This is a broad requirement, and it might be proven in many ways. It could be by proving that you have lived in Portugal for at least 3 years and knows Portuguese – while also being registered at the Portuguese Finances and National Health System. Or it could be by proving that you have lived in Portugal for at least 5 years while also being registered at the Finances and Health System.
If none of the above apply, the government will analyze your case in order to assess if you know enough Portuguese, or if you already legally live in Portugal. They might consider that you have a strong enough connection when you regularly visit Portugal, a well, or if you have owned or rented property in Portugal for at least three years, or even if you have actively participated in a historical Portuguese community abroad.
Whatever the case, and if you have any doubts on whether you comply with one or more of these cases, one thing is certain: the help of a specialized professional is sure to come in hand!
How can I get Portuguese citizenship by descent?
The next step in the process is collecting and preparing all the documents you will need to start your citizenship process. This might demand more or less time depending on the degree of your ancestor, or whether your ancestor is still alive or not. So get a pen or open a spreadsheet and start preparing your documents checklist:
- Your legalized birth certificate
The first document to prepare is your birth certificate. The Portuguese government prefers this to be a full copy, issued by photocopy. After you get this copy, it must be legalized.
The legalization needs to be done by apostille, if your country is part of the Hague Convention, and it can be requested at the notary – if your city is too small and the notary there does not make the apostille, they will direct you to the nearest city that does this procedure. If your country is not part of the Hague Convention, you will need to get your birth certificate legalized in the Portuguese Consulate of your region.
Also, if the birth certificate is not in Portuguese, before legalizing it you will need to have it fully translated, with the translation also being certified.
Do not fret! As we said before, a lawyer or specialized company will be able to guide you through this process if you have any doubts!
- The birth certificates of your relatives:
The next document needed is the birth certificate of your relatives.
If you are the child of a Portuguese, you need their birth certificate issued under the same requirements we mentioned above: full copy issued by photocopy, legalized and translated, if necessary.
If, however, you are the grandchild of a Portuguese, besides the birth certificate from your parent who is the child of this Portuguese, you will also need the birth certificate of your grandparent as well – and this could be the trickiest part of the whole process.
The requirements for this birth certificate are the same as those of your own birth certificate and that of your parent: it needs to be a full copy issued by photocopy, legalized, and translated if necessary.
However, there is a catch: being a grandparent, this means their birth certificate register is old. And, back in the day, those responsible for making the registration did not pay that much attention, and mistakes happened. This means that a Maria Rosa could have been registered as a Maria Roza, or a Veiga might have become a Viega – and, again, in Brazil this is most common. Simple mistakes that should not interfere with the process, right?
Wrong! The Portuguese government will not accept your process if there are any mistakes or differences when they compare the documents sent to them with those that exist in Portugal, whether big or small.
In these situations, you will have to add that extra step that makes things take longer: you have to request the settlement certificate from Portugal (the name they give to birth certificates), take it with you to the place where your ancestor was registered in your country and ask them to make the change. Once the change has been made, then you can request the copy and legalization of the documents!
Once again, we do understand this whole process might seem complicated. That is why we highly recommend that you hire a specialized service to help you!
- Your criminal record
If you are requesting your Portuguese citizenship, you will need to provide your criminal record from the place where you live – and from every place that ~you have lived ever since you turned 16.
As with the other documents, this criminal record needs to be translated – if not in Portuguese -, and legalized. Also, with criminal records, they usually request that they are issued within 3 months of your application.
- A declaration for the acquisition of Portuguese citizenship
Last but certainly not least, you will need to fill in the proper declaration for the acquisition of Portuguese citizenship, which may vary depending on whether you are the child or grandchild of a Portuguese.
This declaration needs to be signed – either in person or, if not, it must be recognized by someone with powers to do so. Once again, that is one other reason why we highly recommend using the services of a lawyer or company specialized in the process!
How long does it take to get Portuguese citizenship by descent?
That is the million Euro question, isn’t it?
Especially nowadays, people tend to be anxious and expect a fast result for things. Or maybe you have read that Portugal is a great place for students and want to go study there as a citizen. Or you might even have researched and realized that the Algarve region is one of the best for retirees, and want to spend your days with your feet deep in the sand, overlooking the ocean.
Whatever the case, you might be in a hurry to get your citizenship and, although your expectations might be high, we are forced to tell you to hold your horses a bit.
As per the government prediction, right now a regular, fully documented and properly filed citizenship process – without any mistakes and without the need to provide any extra documentation, mind you – is taking between 24 to 29 months – well over two years. However, experienced professionals will tell you that it might take even longer, as government predictions are not always to be trusted.
Obviously those time frames might vary if you have an urgent request – a minor, for instance, will have its process completed much faster -, but, overall, the waiting time is long and patience is necessary.
Also, bear in mind that starting your process in Portugal might take less time than starting it abroad – when you start it on national soil, you skip all the waiting time that incurs when you have to wait for an appointment at your local Consulate, for instance, or for the mail to arrive.
Benefits of having Portuguese citizenship
We have talked and talked about all the boring stuff involved in getting a Portuguese citizenship by descent, so now, obviously, we need to address the benefits, the perks, all the good things that come attached to it. Those benefits might help to make up your mind on whether or not it is worth it to start the process!
Do you like to travel? Well, if you do, you might not even need to read further to decide: once you get your Portuguese citizenship, this means you are now an European Union citizen which, in turn, means you are able to travel within the EU without ever even needing your passport. Your Portuguese citizen card will be enough to embark on planes within the EU, and you can travel to any Member State country more easily.
Another benefit that you will have is the possibility to live and work in any EU country without the need for a Visa! You will have to comply with any internal rules that may exist in the country you want to live in – having a residence card, for instance -, but there is absolutely no need to go through a Residency Visa process.
Finally, have you read our post showing you how Portugal is a great place for international students and decided you want to study here? Well, Portuguese citizens – and any other EU citizen, actually – have a slightly different tuition fee in some Portuguese Universities. Also, even if you decide you want to study in another EU country, EU citizens may benefit from lower tuition fees in some Universities across Europe as well.
There are other benefits in having a Portuguese citizenship, but we decided to stick to those attractive few. Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to travel all across Europe while still studying? The possibilities would be endless!
Can´t I do it by myself? Should I really get a specialized service?
In conclusion, if you’re considering obtaining Portuguese citizenship by descent, you may wonder whether to tackle the process independently or seek professional help. After understanding the intricacies of acquiring, legalizing, and translating the necessary documents, as well as the lengthy application tracking period, it’s clear that expert assistance can make a significant difference.
At GrowIN Portugal, we specialize in simplifying the entire process for you. Our experienced team understands the Portuguese citizenship system inside out and knows exactly which documents are required. We handle document certification and signature verification efficiently, while also providing support for pre and post-application procedures, including obtaining a Portuguese Tax Payer ID or a residence Visa.
By choosing our services, you can save valuable time and avoid the frustrations of navigating bureaucracy on your own. As local professionals based in Portugal, we offer the added advantage of expediting the process by several months, bypassing the need for appointments at Portuguese Consulates abroad.
If you’re committed to obtaining Portuguese citizenship and are aware of the challenges involved, take action today. Don’t waste any more time. Contact GrowIN Portugal and let us guide you through the process with our expertise. Trust us to handle the complexities while you focus on the benefits and opportunities that come with becoming a Portuguese citizen. Experience a smooth journey towards citizenship by relying on our reliable services.