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Nationality · Citizenship by descent

Portuguese citizenship for children & grandchildren.

The applicable nationality route depends on where the chain currently stands. Children of an original Portuguese national follow their own rule. Grandchildren may acquire original Portuguese nationality by declaration but are subject to additional substantive requirements. Where the intermediate generation never obtained Portuguese nationality, the documentary chain must be assessed before the route is chosen.

Overview

Citizenship by descent.

Portugal's citizenship by descent laws allow children and grandchildren of Portuguese citizens to obtain Portuguese nationality, commonly referred to as Portuguese citizenship, even if they were born and live abroad. As Portuguese citizenship lawyers, we assess eligibility, assemble the family documentation and conduct the application before the Central Registry Office in Lisbon.

i

For children of Portuguese citizens

A child of an original Portuguese mother or father may acquire original nationality through registration of the birth in the Portuguese civil register or by declaration, depending on the circumstances. This route is not subject to the substantive requirements imposed on grandchildren. In many cases the chain can be reconstructed generation by generation by first recognising the nationality of the intermediate parent.

ii

For grandchildren

A grandchild of an original Portuguese national may acquire original nationality by declaration if they demonstrate effective ties to the Portuguese national community and meet the statutory requirements concerning language, culture, history and national symbols, a solemn declaration, fundamental rights and duties, criminal history, security and restrictive measures. This route does not impose the general residence period or the means-of-subsistence requirement of ordinary naturalisation.

iii

Great-grandchildren

A great-grandchild who cannot reconstruct the chain through the child and grandchild routes may, in certain circumstances, seek discretionary naturalisation. That possibility dispenses with the general period but requires five years of lawful residence in Portugal and depends on a decision by the competent authority; it is not automatic attribution.

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 you keep another nationality depends on the law of the other country.

iv

Pass to descendants

Your children can inherit Portuguese citizenship and pass it to future generations.

v

Healthcare & education

Access Portugal's public healthcare and education systems.

Eligibility

Who qualifies?

Portugal's nationality law provides routes through a Portuguese parent or grandparent, wherever you were born, subject to the requirements applicable to each generation.

  • iChildren of Portuguese citizens — children of an original Portuguese mother or father may acquire original nationality through registration of the birth or by declaration, regardless of where they were born.
  • iiGrandchildren requirements — must demonstrate effective ties to the Portuguese national community and meet the statutory requirements concerning language, culture, history and national symbols, a solemn declaration, fundamental rights and duties, criminal history, security and restrictive measures.
  • iiiDocument requirements — birth certificates, parent/grandparent Portuguese documents, criminal records, and other supporting documentation.
  • ivNo residency required — you don't need to live in Portugal to apply for citizenship by descent.

How we help

Citizenship application process.

  1. Eligibility assessment. We review your family history and documents to confirm your eligibility for Portuguese citizenship.
  2. Document collection. Gather birth certificates, parent/grandparent documents, and other required documentation from Portugal and your country.
  3. Authentication & translation. Authenticate all documents with apostille and prepare certified Portuguese translations.
  4. Application submission. Submit your citizenship application to the Portuguese Civil Registry Office (Conservatória).
  5. Approval & passport. Receive your Portuguese nationality certificate and apply for your Portuguese passport.

Related services

Common questions

Citizenship FAQs.

Children of an original Portuguese national may acquire original nationality through registration of the birth or by declaration, regardless of where they were born. Grandchildren may acquire original nationality by declaration, subject to additional substantive requirements: effective ties to the national community and the statutory requirements concerning language, culture, history and national symbols, a solemn declaration, criminal history and security. The assessment always depends on the family records of each case.
A grandchild of an original Portuguese national may acquire original nationality by declaration if they demonstrate effective ties to the Portuguese national community and meet the statutory requirements concerning language, culture, history and national symbols, a solemn declaration, fundamental rights and duties, criminal history, security and restrictive measures. This route does not impose the general residence period or the means-of-subsistence requirement of ordinary naturalisation. The starting point is locating the grandparent’s Portuguese birth record.
A Portuguese citizenship by descent application generally takes between 6 months and 2 years, depending on the complexity of the case and where the supporting documents are located.
Children of an original Portuguese national are not subject to a language requirement on this route. Grandchildren must meet the statutory requirements concerning language, culture, history and national symbols, demonstrated through a test or certificate under the implementing regulations.
Often a route still exists, but the strategy depends on the documentary chain. It may be more secure to recognise the parent’s nationality first, allowing the applicant to proceed as the child of a Portuguese national. Where that is not possible, the grandchild route and its substantive requirements must be assessed.
No. Portugal allows dual citizenship: obtaining Portuguese nationality does not require you to give up your current one.
Yes. Once you obtain Portuguese citizenship, your children can also acquire it by descent — Portuguese nationality passes on to the next generations.
Children of an original Portuguese national and grandchildren using the specific grandchild route are not subject to the general residence period. Discretionary naturalisation of a great-grandchild without reconstructing the chain requires five years of lawful residence in Portugal.

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 the specific circumstances of each case.

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Review your family chain and the applicable route.

Book an initial consultation to review the family chain, the civil records and the legal route applicable to each generation.

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