Portuguese Citizenship by Descent
Route
Citizenship by Descent
Who can apply
Descendants of Portuguese nationals
Result
Portuguese / EU passport
From
€1,595
Citizenship, not a residence visa
Citizenship by descent grants Portuguese nationality directly — an EU passport with the right to live, work, and study anywhere in the EU. Unlike naturalisation, it does not require you to have lived in Portugal.
Who This Is For
Claim the citizenship that's already in your family
Portuguese law recognises citizenship by descent for children and, in many cases, grandchildren of Portuguese nationals.
Children of a Portuguese Parent
At least one parent who is, or was, a Portuguese national — usually the most direct route.
Grandchildren
A Portuguese grandparent, with documents proving the lineage and, often, effective ties to the Portuguese community.
No Residency Required
Unlike naturalisation, descent does not require you to have lived in Portugal first.
What You Need
What citizenship by descent requires
The case is built on documents that prove an unbroken chain of descent from your Portuguese ancestor.
Portuguese parent or grandparent
At least one parent or grandparent who is, or was, a Portuguese national.
Lineage documents
Birth and marriage certificates establishing each link in the chain of descent, legalised and translated.
Identity documents
A valid passport or national ID for the applicant.
Clean criminal record
A criminal record certificate from your country of residence (and Portugal, where applicable).
Ties / language (grandchildren)
For grandchildren, evidence of effective ties to the Portuguese community — often basic Portuguese (A2) — may be required.
Civil Registry application
Submission to the Portuguese Central Registry (Conservatória dos Registos Centrais).
How It Works
From first call to finish — handled for you
One dedicated team stays with you from your first question to the final document. No hand-offs, no disappearing after payment.
1
Free consultation
A 15-minute call to assess your lineage and confirm eligibility.
2
Map the lineage
We identify every certificate needed to prove the chain of descent.
3
Prepare & file
We assemble the case and file with the Central Registry (Conservatória).
4
Citizenship & passport
We follow the registry through to your nationality and EU passport.
Pricing
Choose the right level of support
No hidden fees. No surprises. Every package includes your NIF and bank account setup.
★ Most Popular
Descent Plus
€2810
Everything in the Complete Package, with three powerful additions
- Everything in the Complete Visa Package
- Consultation with Tax Lawyer
- Property Finder
- File and Accompany you for your AIMA Appointment
🗣️ Free Portuguese lessons to A2 included
Descent Complete
€1595
Your full Portugal move, start to finish — one package.
- Determine the most suitable visa for you
- NIF & Bank account assistance included
- Document checking and guidance before submission
- Unlimited email support for all your inquiries
- Video consultations with immigration lawyer
- A1/A2 Portuguese Language Course included
🗣️ Free Portuguese lessons to A2 included
FAQ
Questions about our Portuguese Citizenship by Descent
Do I need to live in Portugal to apply?
No. Citizenship by descent does not require residency — you can apply from anywhere in the world.
How far back can I claim?
Through a parent or grandparent in most cases. Claims through great-grandparents are possible only in limited circumstances — we assess your specific lineage.
Do I need to speak Portuguese?
For children of a Portuguese parent, usually not. For grandchildren, basic A2 Portuguese or other proof of effective ties to the community is often required.
Can I keep my current nationality?
Yes. Portugal permits dual citizenship, so you can normally keep your existing passport(s).
How long does it take?
Typically 12–24 months, depending on how quickly the supporting records can be gathered and the registry's current backlog.
Ready to Start?
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