It’s easy to assume that when you are born in a specific country, you’ll automatically be granted the status of citizen. While that is somewhat true in some cases, there are certain criteria that the child and the parents must fulfill.
The process is straightforward when both parents are citizens of the country where the child is born. But what happens in Portugal when only one parent or none of the parents are citizens?
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at Portuguese citizenship by birth and the processes that must be followed by citizens, residents, and foreigners alike.
You’ll also learn more about:
- Children born in Portugal to foreign parents
- Children born abroad to Portuguese parents
- How to Apply for Portuguese Citizenship By Birth
Does Portugal grant citizenship by birth?
Children born in Portugal can get citizenship by birth if at least one parent is Portuguese or legally resides in Portugal for a specified time.
All children born in Portugal must be registered, as it is mandatory, even if the parents are not Portuguese citizens. There is a distinct difference between registering a birth and the granting of citizenship.
When both parents are Portuguese citizens
If both or at least one parent are Portuguese, it makes things easier. When registering the birth, the child will be entitled to Portuguese citizenship based on the parent’s linage, place of birth and nationality status. When both parents are foreigners, acquiring Portuguese citizenship by birth can be challenging.
Children Born in Portugal to Foreigner Parents
In the scenario where both parents are foreigners in Portugal and lived in the country for less than five years, the child will be granted the citizenship of both or either foreign parent.
The birth must still be registered in Portugal and the mother or father must provide documents that prove their place of birth and their residence. However, the child of foreigner parents can apply for Portuguese nationality if:
- The mother or father has resided in Portugal for the last 5 years (with or without a residence permit), or
- The mother or father is legally resident in Portugal, or
- The minor has attended at least 1 year of pre-school education or primary, secondary or vocational education in Portugal.
If birth is registered and the parents acquire Portuguese nationality thereafter, the child will then also be entitled to citizenship.
Read our Guide on Portugal Immigration Lawyers
Children Born Abroad to Portuguese Parents
It is easier to get Portuguese citizenship when born abroad if at least one of the parents has Portuguese nationality. However, no matter where the child is born, the parents still need to register the birth.
This can be done online if the birth took place in the European Union (EU) or in a country outside the EU whose official language is Portuguese, including Macau. However, the online process can only be done if the child is less than a year old. Otherwise, the parents must register the birth at the Portuguese Consulate in the country where they live.
How to Register a Birth in Portugal
If the child meets (or will meet in the future) the requirements for citizenship, the birth registration is the first step in Portuguese citizenship by birth.
Assuming the child is born in Portugal, the birth can be registered online by either parent, if the parents are married. In the case where they aren’t married, both parents must register the birth.
You’ll need a Digital Mobile Key or a Citizen Card for online registrations, so if you don’t have that (in case of many foreigners), the birth must be registered in person.
This can be done at:
- Any Nascer Cidadão (Newborn Citizen) counter located in a maternity clinic or hospital
- Any civil registry office
- At the consular post for your place of residence, if you live abroad
Required documents
To register a birth online or in person, you must:
- Provide proof of birth in the form of a document issued by the hospital where the child was born
- State the full names of the parents and grandparents
- indicate the details of the birth and the child, such as the name, which must adhere to certain rules (no more than two given names and four surnames)
- specify the maternity clinic or hospital where the child was born
- If you are applying for online registration and want to apply for the Citizen’s Card, choose the “yes” option, attach a photo of the baby and proof of birth
- Provide certain details relating to the birth and the household as required by Statistics Portugal (for births in Portugal).
Citizen Cards for Portuguese Nationals
By law, all Portuguese citizens, whether in the country or abroad, must have a Citizen Card. It is compulsory from the 20th day after birth. If the child has Portugal citizenship, you can apply for a Citizen Card when registering the birth and its free of charge.
This is a crucial step in Portuguese citizenship, as the issuing of a Citizen Card assigns a Civil Identification Number to the child, in addition to:
- Tax Identification Number (NIF)
- Social Security Identification Number (NISS)
- National health service user number (Utente)
How to Apply for Portuguese Citizenship By Birth
If the child meets the requirements of being under the age of 18, was born in Portugal, is the child of foreigners and the mother or father has resided (or are residents) in Portugal for the last 5 years, an application for Portuguese citizenship by birth can be made. Note that the process and requirements are different from Portuguese citizenship by descent.
If you have a representative or a Portugal immigration lawyer, the application can be done online. If you don’t, there are several places where you can do this yourself, including:
- The Civil Registry Conservatory
- At certain Nationality Counters, such as the one at the Central Archive in Porto
- Central Registry Conservatory in Lisbon
- National Support Center for Migrant Integration in Lisbon and Porto
There are several documents that you’ll need for the Portuguese citizenship by birth application. These include a birth certificate and a clean criminal record if the applicant is 17 years or younger.
The most crucial document needed is a letter addressed to the Minister of Justice, written in Portuguese, stating:
- The reason for the Portuguese Citizenship by Birth application
- Your full name, date of birth and gender
- Your nationality
- Your parents’ names
- Your profession
- Your address
- the country(s) where you have lived after the age of 16
- the number, date, and entity that issued your title or residence permit, passport, or equivalent identification document.
Citizenship for Children of Portuguese Golden Visa Holders
After five years of being a legal resident, the Portugal Golden Visa holder can apply for Portuguese citizenship. This entitlement is extended to children and follows the same process of providing proof of a Portuguese connection and a birth certificate when applying for citizenship.
Portuguese Dual Citizenship
Portugal does allow dual citizenship. While the country does not have specific dual nationality agreements, the Portuguese government, in line with Portuguese nationality law, does allow second citizenship with several countries and will not require you to give up your original citizenship to become a Portuguese citizen and, simultaneously, an EU citizen.
Individuals can maintain ties with their home country, but it is important to note that to gain dual citizenship in Portugal, you must meet certain criteria. These can include living in the country for at least five years as a legal resident (naturalization route), or having Portuguese ancestry (citizenship by descent).
Alternatively, you must have been married, have a valid marriage certificate, or have been in a de facto (non-marital) partnership with a Portuguese national for over three years to meet this residency requirement.
GLOBAL APPROACH BY LOCAL EXPERTS 100% APPROVAL RATE ALL-ENCOMPASSING SOLUTION TRANSPARENCY AND PRIVACYWhy choose Global Citizen Solutions for your Immigration Visa?
Frequently Asked Questions About Portuguese Citizenship by Birth
Who is eligible for Portuguese citizenship by birth?
A person born in Portugal may be eligible if:
- At least one parent has lived legally in Portugal for at least one year before the birth.
- The child would otherwise be stateless if not granted Portuguese nationality.
- The parents have been residents for a specific number of years under certain legal conditions, subject to Portugal’s evolving citizenship laws.
Does Portugal grant citizenship automatically at birth?
Citizenship is not granted automatically by birth alone unless specific conditions, such as parental residency, are fulfilled. This is distinct from “birthright citizenship” in countries like the US, where birth location is sufficient.
Can children of foreign parents obtain Portuguese citizenship?
Yes, if the parents have resided legally in Portugal for at least one year or the child is born in Portugal to parents who fulfill certain residency or legal criteria.
What is the application process for citizenship by birth?
The process requires proof of the parent’s residency in Portugal, the child’s birth certificate, and supporting legal documents showing compliance with residency requirements. Applications are typically filed through Portuguese civil registries.
Is dual citizenship allowed?
Yes, Portugal allows dual citizenship. This means children who acquire Portuguese citizenship by birth may retain their original nationality, depending on their home country’s laws.
Does Portuguese citizenship by birth extend to descendants?
Descendants may claim Portuguese citizenship later through the principle of “jus sanguinis” (citizenship by descent), depending on their parents’ or grandparents’ status and whether they maintain a cultural or residential connection to Portugal.
