Eligibility quiz
Was one of your parents a Portuguese citizen when you were born?
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 an office
Find a Portuguese nationality office or civil registry office that accepts nationality applications.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Portuguese nationality office accepts citizenship applications near your city?”
Download the application form
Download Model 1C, the application form for an adult born outside Portugal to a Portuguese parent.
Download the formFill in the form
Fill in the application and sign it, or sign it in front of the office worker when you hand it in. For a child, the child's legal representative completes and signs the declaration.
See how to completeSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in Portugal's Model 1C citizenship form for a child of a Portuguese parent?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for the nationality office.
See required documentsBook an appointment
Arrange a visit using the office's appointment service. Walk-in service depends on the tickets available.
Book an appointmentSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I book an appointment at a Portuguese nationality office to apply for citizenship as a child of a Portuguese parent?”
Hand in your application
Bring your completed form and documents to the office and give them to the worker. Pay the fee using a payment method the office accepts, and keep your receipt and application number.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I hand in a Portuguese Model 1C citizenship application at a nationality office in your city?”
Wait for the decision
Use the code you receive to follow your application, and answer any requests from the office. Once your Portuguese citizenship is confirmed, you can apply for a Portuguese passport.
Follow your applicationDocuments needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Birth certificates
Get your full birth certificate, preferably a photocopy of the original record, and your Portuguese parent's full birth certificate, preferably in the same form. You can instead give the office enough details to find a Portuguese birth record, such as the place and date of birth and, if known, the registry office and the record's number and year.
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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