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Nationality · Citizenship by marriage

Portuguese citizenship through marriage.

Portuguese nationality, commonly referred to as Portuguese citizenship, may be acquired by declaration during a marriage to a Portuguese national that has lasted more than three years. A de facto union lasting more than three years requires a prior court action recognising the union.

Overview

Citizenship by marriage.

Portugal allows the foreign spouse of a Portuguese national to declare the acquisition of nationality where the marriage has lasted more than three years. This is one of the most accessible routes for those with a Portuguese spouse, but it is an acquisition by declaration with its own legal character.

i

Acquisition by declaration

This is an acquisition route based on a declaration and registration. It is not the same as naturalisation by residence, and registration has constitutive effect.

ii

No residence requirement

You do not need to live in Portugal. A lawyer holding a power of attorney with special powers may conduct the procedure, but the statutory biometric collection — facial image, fingerprints and height — is carried out in person before the competent services.

iii

De facto union

A de facto union is not established for this route through an administrative registration. It requires a court action in Portugal. The nationality declaration can be made only after the judgment has become final. The court phase has its own evidence, costs and duration and must be planned separately.

Benefits

Benefits of Portuguese citizenship.

i

Portuguese passport

Portuguese nationality confers the right to apply for a Portuguese passport. According to the June 2026 edition of the Henley Passport Index, the Portuguese passport ranked fifth, with access to 185 destinations.

ii

Live and work in the EU

Live, work and study across the European Union under the rules applicable to EU citizens.

iii

Multiple nationality

Portuguese law permits multiple nationality. Whether the applicant keeps another nationality depends on the law of the other country and should be confirmed with a professional qualified in that jurisdiction.

iv

Children

Children do not automatically acquire nationality merely because a parent acquires it through marriage. Their position depends on the date of birth, filiation and whether the parent’s nationality is original or acquired.

v

Healthcare and education

Access to public services follows the rules applicable to Portuguese nationals and residents.

vi

Opposition safeguards

Opposition based on the general connection parameters does not apply where the marriage or de facto union has lasted more than six years or where the couple have common Portuguese children, without prejudice to the statutory grounds concerning convictions, threats to national security or restrictive measures. An opposition action must be filed within two years of the nationality registration.

Requirements

Eligibility criteria.

  • iMarriage duration — the marriage to a Portuguese national must have lasted more than three years at the date of the declaration.
  • iiValid marriage — the marriage must be legally recognised. If celebrated abroad, it must be registered in Portugal.
  • iiiLanguage and community connection — the statute does not establish a separate language or culture examination for this route. Those factors may be considered within a possible opposition brought by the Public Prosecutor, together with the other legal parameters. The analysis must remain distinct from naturalisation by residence.
  • ivCriminal and security grounds — opposition by the Public Prosecutor may be based on convictions, threats to national security or restrictive measures, under the statutory rules.

How we help

Citizenship application process.

  1. Eligibility assessment. We review your marriage documentation and situation to confirm eligibility for citizenship by marriage.
  2. Document collection. Gather marriage certificates, the spouse’s Portuguese documents, criminal-record certificates and any evidence relevant to the connection parameters.
  3. Marriage registration. If married abroad, we assist with registering your marriage at the Portuguese Civil Registry (Conservatória).
  4. Application submission. Submit your citizenship application to the Portuguese Civil Registry Office with all required documentation.
  5. Approval & passport. Receive your Portuguese nationality certificate and apply for your Portuguese passport.

Related services

  • →Citizenship by residency — once the legal residence period is met — 7 or 10 years under the 2026 nationality law —, you may also qualify for citizenship through naturalisation.
  • →Family reunification visa — join your spouse in Portugal through the family reunification process.
  • →Pending Sephardic applications — support for administrative Sephardic applications already pending on 18 May 2026; new applications cannot be filed under this route.

Common questions

Citizenship by marriage FAQs.

Processing times typically range from 12 to 24 months, depending on document complexity and current processing volumes.
The statute does not establish a separate language or culture examination for this route. Those factors may be considered within a possible opposition brought by the Public Prosecutor, together with the other legal parameters. The analysis must remain distinct from naturalisation by residence.
No residence requirement applies to this route. A lawyer holding a power of attorney with special powers may conduct the procedure, but the statutory biometric collection — facial image, fingerprints and height — is carried out in person before the competent services.
Marriages performed abroad must be registered at a Portuguese Civil Registry (Conservatória) before applying for citizenship.
The route may apply where the spouse is Portuguese, including where nationality was acquired after the marriage, but the dates, registration of the marriage and individual circumstances must be checked.
Connection factors are relevant mainly within a possible opposition brought by the Public Prosecutor. They may be shown through family ties, visits to Portugal, participation in Portuguese cultural activities, knowledge of the language or other evidence. Opposition on the general connection parameters does not apply where the marriage or union has lasted more than six years or where the couple have common Portuguese children.
Portuguese law permits multiple nationality. Whether the applicant keeps another nationality depends on the law of the other country and should be confirmed with a professional qualified in that jurisdiction.
Children do not automatically acquire nationality merely because a parent acquires it through marriage. Their position must be assessed under the applicable child or minor-child route and the relevant dates.
The union must have lasted more than three years and must be recognised by a final court judgment before the nationality declaration. This requirement is different from family reunification, where a de facto partnership may be proved without this type of judgment.

Last legal review: 19 July 2026. This information is general and does not replace individual legal advice. It does not constitute a guarantee of any outcome. The applicable framework depends on the law in force and on the specific circumstances of each case.

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