PT
Portugal · Nacionalidade Portuguesa por Descendência · Citizenship by Descent · processing 365-730 days
A person born abroad to a Portuguese parent may register or declare Portuguese nationality, effective from birth. A grandchild of a Portuguese national by origin who has not lost that nationality may also apply by declaration, with effective-link requirements and the additional integration and screening conditions cross-referenced by the 2026 law. Direct eligibility reaches grandchildren; a great-grandchild has a separate residence-based naturalization route.
The child route has no residence or language requirement. The grandchild route requires an originally Portuguese grandparent who has not lost Portuguese nationality, a declaration, an effective link to the Portuguese community, and the conditions in Article 6(1)(c)–(h): sufficient Portuguese language, culture, history and national symbols; knowledge of citizenship rights and duties and the political system; a solemn declaration of adherence to democratic rule-of-law principles; and criminal, security and sanctions screening. The 2026 law specifies the knowledge requirements but implementing rules for their assessment were not confirmed in the sources checked. CPLP nationals are presumed to satisfy the language component unless lack of proficiency is manifest. A great-grandchild must use the separate naturalization route and have five years' legal residence in Portugal.
Last verified Oct 9, 2026 Last changed Oct 9, 2026 Source
updated grandchild language/civic requirements, solemn declaration and nullity/loss notes under the 2026 law Source
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