Portuguese Citizenship for descendants

Portuguese Citizenship for Descendants Based on Ancestry

Portuguese citizenship for descendants is grounded in the principle that nationality can be transmitted through family lineage, provided that all family events are properly recognized under Portuguese law.

This is different from citizenship by naturalization.
Here, the focus is not residence or integration, but legal filiation and civil registry continuity.

In practical terms, Portuguese authorities must be able to see a complete and uninterrupted legal chain linking you to the original Portuguese citizen.

How Portuguese Citizenship for Descendants Works

This process always works in steps.

Each step corresponds to a family event:

• A birth
• A marriage
• Another birth
• Another marriage

Every one of these events must be formally registered in Portugal. If even one link is missing, the process cannot move forward.

For this reason, descendant citizenship cases are procedural rather than discretionary. When done correctly, the process is predictable. When steps are skipped, delays and refusals are common.

Step 1: Identifying the Portuguese Ancestor

Every case starts with identifying the Portuguese citizen in your family line.

This person may be:

• A parent
• A grandparent
• A more distant ancestor

The essential document at this stage is the Portuguese birth certificate of that ancestor. This certificate establishes Portuguese nationality at the root of the case.

If you do not already have this document, it can often be obtained from the Portuguese Civil Registry or historical archives.

Step 2: Marriage Registration of the Portuguese Ancestor

Before any descendant’s birth can be registered, Portuguese law requires that the marriage of the parents be recognized.

This step is crucial because it legally establishes filiation.

Documents Commonly Required for Marriage Registration

• Portuguese birth certificate of the Portuguese spouse
• Marriage certificate (apostilled)
• Birth certificate of the non-Portuguese spouse (apostilled)
• Power of attorney
• Passport copy

All foreign documents must be properly legalized and, where applicable, translated.

Only after this marriage is registered can the process move to the next generation.

Step 3: Registration of the Descendant’s Birth

Once the marriage is registered, the next step is the registration of the descendant’s birth in the Portuguese Civil Registry.

This step formally connects the child to the Portuguese parent under Portuguese law.

Documents Commonly Required for Birth Registration

• Apostilled birth certificate of the descendant
• Passport copy
• Power of attorney
• Proof that the parents’ marriage has already been registered in Portugal

Without a registered marriage, birth registration is generally not possible.

Step 4: Continuing the Process for Further Generations

If there are additional generations, the same logic applies.

For each new generation:

1. Register the marriage
2. Register the birth

This sequence must be followed without exception. The process continues until the last descendant (the applicant) is reached.

Although this may seem lengthy, it is the only legally valid way to establish nationality transmission.

Who Can Apply for Portuguese Citizenship for Descendants?

Portuguese citizenship for descendants may apply to:

• Children of Portuguese citizens
• Grandchildren of Portuguese citizens
• In some cases, further descendants, depending on documentation and legal circumstances

There is no age limit to apply, and residence in Portugal is not required for this pathway.

Each case is assessed individually based on the strength and completeness of the civil registry chain.

Common Mistakes That Delay Portuguese Citizenship for Descendants

Many delays occur due to avoidable errors, such as:

• Attempting to register a birth before the parents’ marriage
• Missing apostilles or incorrect legalization
• Name discrepancies across documents
• Assuming civil records from one country automatically apply in Portugal
• Skipping deceased ancestors in the registration chain

Correcting these issues later often takes more time than doing the process correctly from the start.

How Long Does Portuguese Citizenship for Descendants Take?

Timelines depend on:

• Number of generations involved
• Quality and availability of records
• Workload of the Portuguese registries

As a general reference:

• Marriage or birth registration: several months each
• Multi-generation cases: longer overall timelines

Citizenship by descent is a procedural process, not an expedited one.

Do Descendants Need to Live in Portugal?

No.

Portuguese citizenship for descendants does not require residence in Portugal. This is one of the main advantages of citizenship by ancestry compared to naturalization routes.

Benefits of Portuguese Citizenship for Descendants

Once citizenship is recognized, you acquire:

• A Portuguese passport
• Full European Union citizenship
• The right to live, work, and study anywhere in the EU
• The ability to pass Portuguese citizenship to future generations

Why Legal Guidance Matters in Descendant Citizenship Cases

Descendant cases are document-driven and sequential. Even small procedural mistakes can halt the process.

Professional guidance helps:

• Ensure the correct order of registrations
• Identify missing or inconsistent records early
• Prevent refusals that are difficult to reverse

This is particularly important in multi-generation cases involving documents from different countries. Because each case depends on correct sequencing and documentary accuracy, working with a lawyer for citizenship in Portugal helps ensure that registrations are completed correctly and without unnecessary delays

Documents Review and Initial Assessment

If you already have documents, we are glad to review them and advise you on the best path forward. You may scan and send existing records to facilitate an initial assessment.

Early review often saves significant time and avoids unnecessary complications.

Reviewed By

Clara da Costa, Degree in Law
Portuguese Bar Association No. 45229L