Eligibility quiz
Was at least one of your grandparents a Portuguese citizen from birth?
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 consulateApplying at a consulate
Find your consulate
Find the Portuguese consulate responsible for the area where you live.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Portuguese consulate covers your city for a Portuguese nationality application?”
Download the application form
Download the adult Model 1D form for Portuguese nationality through a grandparent.
Download the formFill in the form
Fill in the Model 1D form with your details and those of your Portuguese grandparent and the parent who connects you to them. Arrange to sign the declaration in a form accepted by the consulate.
Get form instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in and sign the Portuguese nationality Model 1D form for a grandchild?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for the consulate.
See required documentsBook an appointment
Book a visit with your consulate if it requires an appointment.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I book an appointment at the Portuguese consulate covering your city for a Portuguese nationality application?”
Visit your consulate
Bring your form and documents to the consulate and make or sign your declaration in the permitted form. Pay the applicable fee as the consulate instructs.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit a Portuguese nationality application as a grandchild at the Portuguese consulate covering your city?”
Wait for the decision
Respond to any requests for more information or documents. Use your process code to follow your application through the Portuguese nationality status service.
Follow your applicationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I check the status of my Portuguese nationality application with my process code?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Birth certificates
Get your full birth certificate and, if your parent was born outside Portugal, your parent’s birth certificate; ask for full copies made from the original records where possible. Also get your Portuguese grandparent’s full birth certificate if possible: it can be left out if the Portuguese register can find the record from their place and date of birth and, if known, the registry office, year and record number. If your parent’s birth is registered in Portugal, their certificate may be left out if you give the registry office, year and record number.
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
Portuguese Dual Citizens
English Facebook group for people interested in Portuguese citizenship
Request to joinNacionalidad Portuguesa por Ley 30-A/2015 para Descendientes Sefardies
Spanish Facebook group for people interested in Portuguese citizenship
Request to joinNacionalidad Española y Portuguesa
Spanish Facebook group for people interested in Portuguese citizenship and visas
Join on FacebookConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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