Portuguese citizenship

Portuguese citizenship has been governed by the amended Nationality Law (Organic Law 1/2026) since 19 May 2026. Ukrainian and other non-EU, non-CPLP nationals can obtain it by naturalisation after 10 years of legal residence in Portugal; for EU and CPLP citizens the period is 7 years. Residence periods add up, including with gaps, if they fall within a 12-year window. Applicants need a test or certificate on Portuguese language, culture, history and national symbols, knowledge of citizens’ rights and duties, a solemn declaration of adherence to democratic principles, no serious convictions and the ability to support themselves. Applications filed before 19 May 2026 follow the old rules. Facts checked against the text of the law on 9 October 2026.

Request a tailored proposal →

What changed on 19 May 2026

Naturalisation conditions (Article 6)

• adulthood under Portuguese law;
• legal residence of at least 10 years (7 for EU citizens and nationals of Portuguese-speaking countries);
• sufficient knowledge of Portuguese language and culture, history and national symbols, shown by a test or certificate;
• knowledge of the fundamental rights and duties of citizens and the political organisation of Portugal;
• a solemn declaration of adherence to the principles of a democratic state governed by the rule of law;
• no final sentence of more than 3 years’ effective imprisonment for terrorism, violent or organised crime, crimes against state security or aiding illegal immigration;
• no threat to national security and no UN or EU restrictive measures;
• the ability to support oneself.

How the period is counted

Legal residence means presence under any document of the Foreigners Act or the Asylum Act: a visa, a permit, an authorisation. Periods add up, with or without gaps, but must fall within a maximum window: 12 years for non-EU, non-CPLP nationals, 9 years for EU and CPLP citizens, 6 years for stateless persons. Example: 10 years of permits within the last 12 years open the right to apply; 10 years spread over 14 do not yet. The law does not address years under temporary protection separately, so in each case we check which document the stay was based on.

Marriage and civil partnership

A foreigner married to a Portuguese citizen for more than 3 years can acquire citizenship by declaration during the marriage. A de facto union of more than 3 years requires a court ruling recognising the union. The state may oppose the acquisition, but that exception does not apply where the marriage has lasted more than 6 years or there are common children who are Portuguese citizens.

Children

A child born in Portugal to foreign parents can obtain citizenship by naturalisation if one parent has resided legally in Portugal for at least 5 years and the child attends compulsory schooling. Minor children of a person who acquires citizenship can acquire it by declaration.

Steps

Related services

The tax side of relocation and residence is covered by Crystal Tax.

Sources (as of 9 October 2026): Organic Law 1/2026, DRE; Text of Law 1/2026 with the republished Law 37/81 (Arts. 3, 6, 15); AIMA: ARI and naturalisation.