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Quick answer
- New law: Lei Orgânica n.º 1/2026 applies to applications filed from 19 May 2026.
- Residence route: 7 years for CPLP nationals, 10 years for everyone else.
- Descent: great-grandchildren of Portuguese citizens of origin can now apply, under conditions.
- Already filed? Applications up to 18 May 2026 stay under the previous legislation.
What changed on 19 May 2026
The amended Nationality Law applies to every application filed from 19 May 2026. The table sets out the changes that matter most when choosing a route.
| Situation | From 19 May 2026 |
|---|---|
| Naturalisation: CPLP nationals | 7 years of legal residence |
| Naturalisation: all other nationals | 10 years of legal residence |
| When the years start counting | From the issue of your first residence permit |
| Great-grandchildren of a Portuguese citizen of origin | Can apply, generally with 5 years of legal residence in Portugal |
| Descendants of Sephardic Jews | Route ended |
| Children born in Portugal | One parent with 5 years of legal residence, and a declaration; no longer automatic |
| Marriage or de facto union | Minimum of 3 years remains |
| Knowledge tests | Provided for, but dependent on regulations not yet published at last review |
If you are close to five years of residence, what you face now depends on your nationality. If you descend from a Portuguese great-grandparent, a door is open that did not exist before. If your file is already with the registry, the old rules still govern it.
Which route to Portuguese citizenship fits you?
Find your situation, then book a review so we can confirm it against your documents.
Descendants of a Portuguese citizen
Children and grandchildren of Portuguese citizens keep their route, and great-grandchildren of citizens of origin can now apply under conditions. The hard part is documentary: locating each birth record and linking every generation.
Spouses and partners
Marriage or a de facto union of at least 3 years can open the way to nationality. We assemble proof of the relationship and of your link to the Portuguese community.
Residents: 7 or 10 years
Time spent as a legal resident builds towards naturalisation, counted from your first residence permit. We track your dates so you file as soon as you qualify.
Born in Portugal
Birth in Portugal no longer makes a child Portuguese automatically. We check the parents' residence record and submit the declaration.
Golden Visa and other permits
A residence permit is not a passport, but years of legal residence count towards naturalisation. We plan permit renewals and the citizenship timeline together.
Sephardic applications already filed
The route is closed to new applications. If yours was filed before 19 May 2026, we can take over the file and answer the registry.
How we handle your citizenship application
Eligibility review
We study your family history or residence record and tell you in writing which route applies and what could slow it down.
Documents
We list what you need, request Portuguese civil records on your behalf, and check apostilles and translations before filing.
Filing
We file at the Central Registry Office for you, usually under a power of attorney.
Follow-up
We track your case, answer registry requests, and keep you informed until your nationality is registered.
Citizen Card and passport
Once registered, we help you prepare for your first Portuguese ID card and passport.
How long it takes and how to follow your case
Processing times depend on the route and on the registry's workload, and they change over time. After our review we give you a realistic estimate for your case. Once filed, you can follow its status on the Ministry of Justice nationality tracking page, and we watch it with you.
Questions about Portuguese citizenship
Does the new law affect an application I have already filed?
Applications filed up to 18 May 2026 continue to be decided under the previous legislation. Applications filed from 19 May 2026 follow the new rules.
How many years of residence do I need to apply for naturalisation?
The legal residence required is 7 years for CPLP nationals and 10 years for everyone else, counted from the issue of your first residence permit. We confirm how the rule applies to you during the eligibility review.
Can great-grandchildren of a Portuguese citizen apply?
Yes. Great-grandchildren of Portuguese citizens of origin can now apply, but generally they must also have 5 years of legal residence in Portugal and meet the other requirements.
Is the Sephardic Jewish route still open?
No. The route for descendants of Sephardic Jews ended with the 2026 law. Applications filed before 19 May 2026 are decided under the previous rules.
Is a child born in Portugal automatically Portuguese?
No longer. At least one parent must have 5 years of legal residence in Portugal, and nationality is requested by declaration at the Civil Registry with proof of the requirements.
Do I have to pass a test to become Portuguese?
You must prove knowledge of the Portuguese language. The law also provides for tests on civic, cultural and historical knowledge, but they depend on regulations that had not been published when this page was last reviewed. There are exceptions for minors, older applicants, and children and grandchildren of Portuguese citizens.
Do I have to travel to Portugal to apply?
In many cases, no. The application can be prepared and filed by your lawyer under a power of attorney. We confirm whether this applies to your route in the eligibility review.
Can I keep my current citizenship?
Portugal allows dual and multiple citizenship. Check whether your other country does too, because some require you to give up their citizenship.
Our nationality desk in Lisbon
portuguese-nationality.com is the nationality desk of CSC Lawyers, led by Clara Silva da Costa. For residence permits, property and other legal matters, visit our main firm website.
Tell us where your family comes from or how long you have lived in Portugal. We will tell you which route applies.
Avenida António Augusto de Aguiar, 183, 1.º Esq., 1050-014 Lisboa · info@cscadvogada.com
General information, not legal advice. Last reviewed 30 October 2026.
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