Portugal Dual Citizenship for US Citizens in 2026: Requirements & How to Apply

1. Descent or Birth (Jus Sanguinis):

Portugal does not offer unconditional birthright citizenship (jus soli or right of the soil) but rather follows the principle of jus sanguinis where citizenship is tied to your Portuguese ancestry.

People born in Portugal with at least one Portuguese parent will automatically be a citizen in the country. Children abandoned at birth in Portugal also become Portuguese citizens automatically.

Children born abroad (such as in the US) to at least one Portuguese parent can acquire citizenship in Portugal by registering their birth in the Portuguese Civil Registry. You can do so via the Portuguese embassy/consulate in the US.

If you have a Portuguese grandparent, you may also qualify for citizenship under specific conditions, e.g., demonstrating a proven connection to Portugal.

If you were born in Portugal but your parents were not Portuguese nationals at the time of your birth, you are eligible to apply for Portuguese citizenship if you:

• Are over 18
• Have habitually resided in Portugal for 10 years
• Know the Portuguese language sufficiently
• Have not been convicted of a crime punishable in Portugal with a prison sentence of three years or more
• Have not been involved in activities related to terrorism

Alternatively, you can be considered Portuguese from birth if you were born in Portugal on 8 October 1981 or later, and one of your parents legally resided in Portugal for a minimum required period and was not in the service of their home country.

To apply for citizenship through birth or descent, visit an IRN office, the National Support Center for the Integration of Migrants (CNAIM) in Lisbon or Porto, a Citizen Shop in Portugal, or the Portuguese embassy/consulate in your home country.

Required documentation varies but may include birth certificates, proof of relationship, nationality evidence, residency records, integration proof, and a declaration of Portuguese nationality or a letter to the Ministry of Justice.

2. Naturalization of Foreign Residents:

Americans may choose the naturalization/residence route to obtain Portuguese citizenship. You are eligible to apply via this route if you meet the following criteria:

• You are over 18 years old
• You have resided in Portugal lawfully for at least 10 years (changed from previous five years from May 2026 onwards)
• You know the Portuguese language sufficiently (i.e. A2 level or higher)
• You have not been convicted of a crime punishable in Portugal with a prison sentence of three years or more
• You have not been involved in activities related to terrorism

Portuguese citizenship through naturalization can be obtained by applying at various authorized locations, including IRN offices, the National Support Center for the Integration of Migrants (CNAIM) in Lisbon or Porto, Citizen Shops within Portugal, or Portuguese embassies or consulates in your home country.

To initiate the process, you’ll need to submit essential documents such as your current passport or travel ID, birth certificate, proof of residency in Portugal for the required duration (typically demonstrated by a valid residence permit), evidence of Portuguese language proficiency at least at the A2 level on the CEFR scale, a clean criminal record certificate, and a formal letter addressed to the Ministry of Justice requesting Portuguese citizenship.

3. Marriage: Spousal Eligibility

Portuguese citizenship can be pursued without meeting the standard 10-year residency obligation if you are married to or in a de facto partnership with a Portuguese citizen. A crucial requirement is that the marital or partnership bond should have persisted for a minimum of three years.

Unlike the traditional residency path, this option doesn’t necessitate any physical presence in Portugal. For instance, you could marry a Portuguese national outside of Portugal and reside with them overseas for three years. However, a connection to the Portuguese community, such as proficiency in the Portuguese language, still needs to be demonstrated to qualify for this citizenship route.

Plus, you must not:

• Hold public positions, other than technical functions, in another country
• Have not performed non-compulsory military service in another country
• have not been convicted of a crime punishable in Portugal with a prison sentence of three years or more
• Have not been involved in activities related to terrorism

4. Adoption: 

If you were adopted by a Portuguese national before turning 18 and before October 8, 1981, you can apply for Portuguese citizenship if you meet the following conditions:

• The deadline for appealing the judgment of the court deciding your adoption expired before October 8, 1981
• You have an effective and proven connection with the Portuguese community
• You express your wish to acquire Portuguese nationality using the official declaration form.
• You have no criminal record, punishable in Portugal with a prison sentence of three years or more

If you were adopted before turning 18 and after October 8, 1981, you can apply for Portuguese citizenship if you:

• Have a proven and effective connection to the Portuguese community
• Have no criminal record, punishable in Portugal with a prison sentence of three years or more

To acquire Portuguese nationality under any circumstances, you must not:

• Hold public office other than technical functions in another country
• Have performed non-compulsory military service in another country
• Be involved in activities related to terrorism

5. Investment: Citizenship by Investment

In 2012, the Portuguese government introduced the Portugal Golden Visa programme. US citizens can take this route to Portuguese residency by investment, which eventually leads to citizenship.

To be eligible, you will need to:

• Make a qualifying investment in Portugal, such as real estate acquisition, fund subscription, capital transfer, company formation, or donation (however, please note that real estate acquisition and capital transfer may soon cease to be valid investment options)
• Spend an average of only seven days per year in the country, for 10 consecutive years
• Prove that you have sufficient knowledge of the Portuguese language (i.e. A2 level or higher)

You can reside, work and study in Portugal. Moreover, under family reunification principles, you may extend the Golden Visa to your eligible family members. You can apply for Portuguese citizenship after the 10-year qualifying period.

Required documents include:

• Your birth certificate
• Proof of residence in Portugal for the required length of time as applicable in your case
• Proof of your knowledge of Portuguese language (at least A2 level or higher)
• Your criminal record, if any, issued by foreign countries where you have lived from the age of 16
• A declaration for the acquisition of Portuguese nationality, signed either in the presence of one of the Registry employees at the time of submitting the application, or before someone with powers to recognise the signature if you are sending your application by post
• Your marriage certificate to a Portuguese national, or documents proving that you and your Portuguese citizen partner are living for three years or more in conditions similar to married couples
• Your Portuguese spouse’s/partner’s birth certificate
• Proof of your nationality
• Proofs of your connection with the Portuguese community
• Birth certificate(s) of your biological or adoptive Portuguese parent(s)
• Birth certificate of your parent who is the child of your Portuguese grandparent(s)

• Your adoption certificate
• Documents proving the type of public functions you perform in another country
• Documents proving the non-compulsory military service you have performed in another country
• Documents proving your connection to the community of Portuguese descent outside Portugal
• Documents proving your degree of disability
• The number and year of registration for the loss of your Portuguese nationality
• A request addressed to the Minister of Justice, written in Portuguese, stating:
  • Why do you ask for Portuguese nationality and other circumstances that you consider relevant
  • Your full name, date of birth, marital status, nationality, profession, address, parents’ names, country(ies) where you lived before Portugal, full name and address of your legal representatives if applicable, and the number, date and entity that issued your title or residence permit, passport or equivalent identification document(s)
  • This application must be signed either in the presence of one of the Registry employees at the time of submitting the application, or before someone with powers to recognise the signature if you are sending your application by post

1. Proof of Residency: 

To establish your eligibility, you’ll need to provide evidence of your legal residence in Portugal or the relevant Portuguese territory.

This might include copies of lease agreements or housing contracts showing your residence in Portugal, utility bills in your name for the address of residence, employment contracts if you’re working in Portugal, include employment contracts as proof of your economic ties to the country, etc.

2. Birth Certificate: 

Include a certified copy of your birth certificate as part of your application. Ensure that it’s properly translated into Portuguese and, if required, notarized or authenticated.

3. Marriage Certificate (if applicable): 

If you are applying for citizenship based on marriage to a Portuguese citizen, include your marriage certificate. Ensure it is duly authenticated and translated as necessary.

4. Background Check:

A clean criminal record is typically a prerequisite for Portuguese citizenship. You will need to provide a police clearance certificate from your home country and from any countries where you have resided during the specified period.

5. Proof of Financial Stability (if applicable):

If you’re pursuing citizenship through investment, you’ll need to provide documentation of your financial investments in Portugal. This could include property deeds, bank statements, or incorporation documents for businesses you’ve established in Portugal.

6. Special Documentation (for unique circumstances): 

Depending on the pathway you’re pursuing, there may be additional, unique documentation requirements.

7. Application Submission: 

Once you’ve gathered all required documents and met the eligibility criteria, complete the official application form. You can obtain this form from the Portuguese Immigration and Borders Service (SEF) or the Portuguese consulate in your jurisdiction.

8. Payment of Fees: 

The application is free if you are applying through descent (in other words, you have Portuguese parents or grandparents).

If you apply through birth (born in Portugal), the cost is €250. You will need to pay €175 if you are under 18.

Portuguese Citizenship application fee for children under 18 whose parents are not Portuguese citizens/weren’t born in Portugal is €225.

9. Waiting for Processing: 

The processing times for Portuguese dual citizenship applications can vary. It’s essential to be patient during this stage and promptly respond to any requests for additional information or documentation.

10. Language Test (if applicable):

To qualify for Portuguese dual citizenship, it’s generally required to demonstrate basic conversational proficiency in Portuguese by achieving a minimum of 55% in a two-hour language proficiency test that assesses reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills.

However, exemptions from this test are granted to those who are over 60 years old, illiterate, handicapped, or dealing with severe health issues, hail from Portuguese-speaking territories, are married to a Portuguese citizen, have lived in Portugal for at least 10 years, hold a document proving higher language proficiency, or fall under special categories like individuals with special needs, children under ten, or those with learning difficulties who can take a simplified test.