The routes, in one table
| Route | Who | Main condition (Nationality Act) | Page |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naturalisation by residence | any adult legal resident | 7 years (EU / CPLP nationals) or 10 years; language, culture, subsistence — art. 6.º n.º 1 | Residence |
| Marriage or de-facto union | spouse or partner of a Portuguese citizen | 3 years of marriage or union, declaration; no opposition after 6 years or with common children — art. 3.º, 9.º | Marriage |
| Descent: children of Portuguese | born abroad to a Portuguese parent | registration of the birth or declaration — art. 1.º n.º 1 c) | Descent |
| Descent: grandchildren | one Portuguese grandparent who kept the nationality | declaration + effective ties + conditions c)–h) of art. 6.º — art. 1.º n.º 1 d), n.º 3 | Descent |
| Descent: great-grandchildren | third-degree descendants of Portuguese | 5 years of legal residence in Portugal, other naturalisation conditions — art. 6.º n.º 8 | Descent |
| Born in Portugal to foreign parents | children born here | a parent legally resident for 5 years at birth (art. 1.º f), or naturalisation of the minor with school attendance (art. 6.º n.º 2, free) | Born in Portugal |
| Stateless persons and refugees | stateless: 4 years of legal residence; refugees: standard periods, asylum status counts as residence | art. 6.º n.º 3, 15.º | Stateless and refugees |
| Sephardic descent | closed to new applicants since 19 May 2026 | art. 6.º n.º 7 repealed; pending files continue | Sephardic Jews |
| Investment | no direct route; golden-visa years count towards 10-year naturalisation | art. 6.º n.º 1 | Investment |
Two constants across routes: dual nationality is allowed — Portugal never asks you to renounce your other citizenship — and the fee for a naturalisation request is 250 € (IRN Modelo 6.1; the procedure for minors born in Portugal, stateless persons and institutionalised minors is free).
- 19 May 2026 the new rules apply to requests lodged from this date; earlier files keep the old law
- 7 / 10 years of legal residence for naturalisation, counted within a 9- or 12-year window
- A2 Portuguese (CIPLE, 95 €) plus a culture, history and symbols test once regulated
- 250 € IRN fee; decision by the Minister of Justice
What the 2026 reform changed
- Longer residence: five years became seven (citizens of EU Member States and of Portuguese-speaking countries) or ten (all others). Periods add up even if interrupted, within a window of 9 or 12 years (art. 15.º n.º 3).
- More to prove: language and Portuguese culture, history and national symbols, by test or certificate; knowledge of fundamental rights and duties and of the organisation of the State; a solemn declaration of adherence to the democratic rule of law; the capacity to support oneself.
- Criminal threshold: no effective prison sentence over three years for terrorism, violent or organised crime, crimes against the State or aiding illegal immigration — a rebuttable presumption assessed by the Public Prosecutor, with a court remedy.
- Sephardic route repealed (art. 6.º n.º 7). Great-grandchildren gained a route with five years of residence (art. 6.º n.º 8).
- Children born in Portugal: origin nationality if a parent had five years of legal residence at birth (was one year); naturalisation of minors requires a parent with five years of residence and school attendance.
- Marriage: three years remain; opposition for lack of ties is excluded after six years of marriage or with common Portuguese children.
- Adoption no longer confers nationality automatically; a declaration is required.
- Biometrics (face, fingerprints, height) are collected for every applicant (art. 12.º-C).
The Government had ninety days to adapt the Regulation of Nationality (DL n.º 237-A/2006). The consolidated regulation we consulted on 18 September 2026 still showed its 2023 wording, and the tests on culture and history had not been published — until they are, the language certificate (A2) remains the proof in use.
The procedure, whatever the route
Documents
Birth certificate (apostilled), identity, criminal record certificates from the countries of birth, nationality and residence after age 16, the A2 certificate, proof of residence or of the family tie, proof of subsistence. Documents in English, French or Spanish need no translation at the IRN.
Filing
At the Conservatória dos Registos Centrais in Lisbon, a designated registry office, a Portuguese consulate, or online through a lawyer or solicitador (Nacionalidade Online). Fee 250 € for naturalisation.
Instruction
The IRN checks the file, consults the Portuguese criminal record and, where a conviction appears, the Public Prosecutor. Biometrics are taken. Delays run from many months to years depending on the route and the backlog.
Decision and registration
Naturalisation is granted by the Minister of Justice; declarations (marriage, descent) are registered by the IRN. The Cartão de Cidadão and the passport follow. Track the file on justica.gov.pt — see following up an application.
Pending files are protected. Article 7.º n.º 2 of the organic law applies the previous wording of the Act to procedures pending on 19 May 2026. A five-year naturalisation or a Sephardic file lodged before that date is decided under the old rules; what matters is the date of filing, not of decision.
Questions people ask first
Can I keep my current nationality?
Yes. Portuguese law allows multiple nationalities; whether your country of origin allows it is a question for its law.
Do the seven or ten years have to be continuous?
No. All periods of legal residence add up, consecutive or not, provided they fall within nine years (EU/CPLP) or twelve years (others). Irregular stays never count.
Which Portuguese exam is accepted?
The CIPLE (A2) of the CAPLE, University of Lisbon, or a certificate from a recognised Portuguese course; nationals of Portuguese-speaking countries are presumed to know the language. The culture and history test awaits regulation.
How long does citizenship take?
The law sets no deadline. Descent declarations for children are the fastest; naturalisations and grandchildren files have run one to two years or more. The office follows each file and answers IRN requests within days, which is where most delays are lost.
Sources and official references
- Lei Orgânica n.º 1/2026, de 18 de maio — amendment and republication of the Nationality Act (Lei n.º 37/81) — checked 18.9.2026
- Justiça.gov.pt — Nationality Act: new rules in force on 19 May; regulation to be adapted within 90 days; pending files under the old wording — checked 18.9.2026
- IRN — Modelo 6.1 (naturalisation request): documents and 250 € fee — checked 18.9.2026
- Justiça.gov.pt — Nacionalidade portuguesa: where to apply, cases — checked 18.9.2026
- CAPLE (Universidade de Lisboa) — CIPLE exam: level A2, 95 €, pass mark 55 % — checked 18.9.2026
- Regulamento da Nacionalidade Portuguesa (DL n.º 237-A/2006), consolidated text — checked 18.9.2026