Eligibility quiz
Have you been married to a Portuguese citizen for more than three years?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Portuguese passport and ID
A Portuguese passport proves identity and citizenship for international travel.
The citizen card is generally enough for travel in the EU and Schengen area.
The card combines civil, tax, health and social-security numbers and is compulsory from age 20 days, or earlier if needed for a public service.
Live in Portugal for life
Portuguese citizens can live in Portugal indefinitely without a residence permit.
Living abroad does not take away that right.
Study in Portugal
Portuguese citizens can use public education in Portugal on the same basis as other Portuguese citizens.
A grant or tuition-free study is not automatic.
Work in Portugal
Portuguese citizens can work in Portugal, including in public administration.
Some jobs have their own requirements.
Get help abroad
Portugal has a 24/7 emergency consular office for serious emergencies involving Portuguese citizens abroad.
Outside the EU, if Portugal has no embassy or consulate, Portuguese citizens can seek protection from another EU country on the same terms as its citizens.
Vote and run for office
Portuguese citizens can vote from age 18 and stand for political office under election rules.
Registration is automatic with a citizen card, and citizens abroad can vote in some elections under special rules.
Portuguese citizens can also vote and stand in European Parliament elections, but can vote only once.
Use public healthcare
Portuguese citizens can use public healthcare when registered and eligible in the Portuguese health system.
Charges depend on the care and the applicable rules, and the citizen card includes the health-user number.
Get social support
Social-security benefits can include pensions, unemployment payments and family allowances if the relevant conditions are met.
These can depend on contributions, residence, income, family or disability.
When living elsewhere in the EU, the country responsible for healthcare and social security normally depends on residence and work.
How to apply
Applying at a local officeApplying at a local office
Find a local office
Find a nationality counter or civil registry office in Portugal that accepts nationality applications.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Portuguese nationality counter or civil registry office accepts nationality applications near your city?”
Download the application form
Download and print Modelo 3, the declaration for acquiring Portuguese nationality.
Download the formFill in the form
Fill in the form for marriage or partnership. Wait to sign it in front of the registry officer.
Find form instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in Modelo 3 for Portuguese nationality by marriage or partnership?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for the nationality office.
See required documentsHand in your application
Bring your form and documents to the office, sign in front of the officer and pay the €250 fee by card. If you are applying through a partnership, your Portuguese partner can confirm there that it continues instead of providing a written confirmation.
Find submission detailsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I hand in a Portuguese nationality application by marriage or partnership at a nationality counter in Portugal?”
Wait for the decision
Keep your case code and use it to follow your application; respond if the office asks for more information. Once your citizenship is approved and recorded, you can apply for a Portuguese passport.
Track your applicationDocuments needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Birth certificates
Get your full birth certificate, preferably a copy of the complete birth record, and your Portuguese spouse or partner’s birth certificate. You can give the Portuguese registry office, year and record number instead of their certificate. If you are using your children’s records to show ties to Portugal, include their birth or registration records and, if applicable, documents showing they are Portuguese.
Marriage certificate *
Get a copy of your marriage record. If you married outside Portugal, the marriage must first be registered in Portugal; you may give the details needed to find the Portuguese record instead of a certificate.
* Only if you are married to your Portuguese spouse.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationPartnership court decision *
Get a copy of the court decision recognising that you and your Portuguese partner have lived together as a couple for more than three years. The decision must be made before you apply for citizenship.
* Only if you apply through your Portuguese partner rather than a marriage.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationPartner’s relationship declaration *
Your Portuguese partner can sign a statement confirming that your relationship continues. It must be less than three months old and include the number, date and issuing office of their Portuguese identity card.
* Only if you apply through your Portuguese partner rather than a marriage and your partner does not confirm the relationship in person.
Considerations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Military obligations
Military duties apply to all Portuguese citizens from the first day of the year they turn 18 through the last day of the year they turn 35.
Registration is automatic at 17, but citizens must attend the Dia da Defesa Nacional and appear if called.
Peacetime service is voluntary, but people in the recruitment reserve can be called in a national emergency.
Citizenship can be lost
A person with another citizenship can give up Portuguese citizenship by making a declaration.
This route is not allowed if it would leave the person without any citizenship.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
Cec Faya : Applying for Portuguese Citizenship by marriage or common-law
English Facebook group for people interested in Portuguese citizenship
Join on FacebookAIMA e Nacionalidade Portuguesa - Grupo de Apoio
Portuguese Facebook group for people interested in Portuguese citizenship and visas
Request to joinImigração e Nacionalidade 🇵🇹
Portuguese Facebook group for people interested in Portuguese citizenship and visas
Join on FacebookConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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