The Portuguese nationality law provides for two forms of access to Portuguese citizenship:

1. ATTRIBUTION, also referred to as originating nationality, which takes effect from birth and can be transmitted to the children without restrictions;
2. ACQUISITION, also referred to as derived nationality, which takes effect from its registration and which can only be transmitted to minor offspring.

The following are Portuguese of origin and by attribution:

• Children of a Portuguese mother or Portuguese father, born in Portugal or abroad;
• Grandchildren of original Portuguese citizens, provided that they have ties of effective connection to the national community;
• Those born in Portugal, children of foreigners, provided that one of the parents was also born here and has residence here, regardless of title, at the time of birth;
• Those born in Portugal, children of foreigners who are not in the service of the respective State and, provided that, at the time of birth, one of the parents is legally resident or resides here, regardless of title, for at least one year;
• Those born in Portugal and who do not have another nationality.

The following are Portuguese by acquisition:

• Minors or incapacitated persons whose mother or father acquired Portuguese nationality after their birth;
• Those married to a Portuguese citizen, for at least 3 years;
• Those who are de facto united with a Portuguese citizen, for at least 3 years;
• Those who, having been Portuguese, lost their nationality due to a declaration made during their incapacity;
• Those fully adopted by a Portuguese citizen, after the date of entry into force of the Nationality Law;
• Those of legal age or emancipated who have been legally residing in Portugal for at least 5 years;
• Minors, born in Portugal and provided that one of the parents: (i) has residence regardless of title, for at least five years prior to the application; or (ii) is legally resident in Portugal;
• Minors, born in Portugal provided that they have attended here at least one year of pre-school education or basic, secondary or vocational education;
• Persons of legal age or emancipated who have had Portuguese nationality and who, having lost it, have never acquired another nationality;
• Persons of legal age or emancipated who were born in Portugal, who have resided here, regardless of title for at least five years and provided that, at the time of their birth, one of the parents resided in Portugal, regardless of title;
• The descendants of Sephardic Jews, who prove their tradition of belonging to a Sephardic community of Portuguese origin;
• To the parents of Portuguese citizens of origin, provided that they have resided in Portugal, regardless of title, for at least 5 years and provided that their ancestry was established at the time of the birth of the Portuguese citizen;
• Those who are not stateless, have had Portuguese nationality and: i) are considered descendants of Portuguese; ii) are members of communities of Portuguese descent; or iii) have provided or are called upon to provide relevant services to the Portuguese State or the national community.

The following are grounds for opposition to the acquisition of Portuguese citizenship:

1. The lack of effective connection to the national community;
2. The conviction, with final judgment of the sentence, with a prison sentence equal to or greater than 3 years, for a crime punishable under Portuguese law;
3. The exercise of public functions without a predominantly technical character or the provision of non-mandatory military service to a foreign State;
4. To not constitute a danger or threat to national security or defense, for its involvement in activities related to the practice of terrorism, in accordance with the respective law.

Our team provides full assistance in the application for citizenship, from the analysis of the specific circumstances, legal framework, guidance, review and organization of the documents to be considered, submission of the application on behalf of the applicant and monitoring of the same until final decision.