🇵🇹 Portugal citizenship · By birth
Portugal citizenship by birth
A child born in Portugal can get an EU passport, and the parents can obtain a residence permit and later citizenship through family reunification.
Portugal is a country with a high standard of living, a developed economy, a mild climate and quality healthcare. It is part of the European Union and the Schengen area, which makes the Portuguese passport one of the strongest in the world.
Legal grounds for citizenship
Who can obtain citizenship
- A child with at least one parent who is a Portuguese citizen.
- A child born in Portugal, if at least one parent has lived in the country legally for at least 1 year.
- A child who has lived in Portugal for 5 years, if the parents had no legal status.
- A child born in Portugal to stateless parents.
- A child whose parent obtained citizenship after the child was born.
- A child whose parent lived in Portugal for 5 years before the child was born.
- A child who completed primary school in Portugal.
- A child with a Portuguese grandparent.
- The parents of a child who is a citizen - after 5 years of living in Portugal on a residence permit.
Condition for automatic citizenship for the child
For a child to receive citizenship automatically, at least one parent must have lived legally in Portugal for at least 1 year at the time of the birth, or hold a Portuguese passport.
Residence permit and citizenship for the parents
Parents can apply for a residence permit through family reunification as soon as the child is born. After 5 years of living in the country on a residence permit, they are entitled to apply for Portuguese citizenship.
Siblings and other relatives
Siblings of a child who is a Portuguese citizen do not receive citizenship automatically, but they can obtain a residence permit through family reunification and apply for citizenship after 5 years of residence. Grandparents and other relatives can also get a residence permit through family reunification, but citizenship only after 5 years of living in the country.
Russian citizens need a visa to enter Portugal. To get legal status and live in the country for a year before the birth (and give the child the right to automatic citizenship), a digital nomad visa, a visa for financially independent people or a Golden Visa will work.
Advantages of a Portuguese passport
Freedom of travel
A Portuguese passport gives visa-free access to 188 countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada and Australia.
An EU passport
Portuguese citizens can live, work and study freely in any European Union country without additional permits.
Dual citizenship
Portugal allows its citizens to hold several citizenships, which opens up more opportunities for travel and business.
Social guarantees
Portuguese citizens have access to free education, healthcare and social programmes, as well as tax benefits for new residents.
How to get Portuguese citizenship by birth: step by step
Entering Portugal
Russian citizens need a visa. For the child to receive citizenship automatically, a parent needs legal status and a year of residence in the country before the birth - for example, on a digital nomad visa, a visa for financially independent people or a Golden Visa.
Giving birth in Portugal
Choosing a public or private clinic and obtaining the medical birth certificate.
Registering the child
Applying to the registry office for a birth certificate. Within 20 days you need to obtain a citizen card for the child, and then apply for a passport.
Residence permit for the parents
The parents apply for a residence permit through family reunification as soon as the child is born.
Citizenship for the parents
After 5 years of living in the country on a residence permit, the parents can apply for Portuguese citizenship.
FAQ
Does a child automatically get citizenship if born in Portugal?
Can the parents of a child with Portuguese citizenship get citizenship too?
Does the parents' status affect the child's citizenship?
How long do relatives need to live there for citizenship?
How much does it cost to give birth in Portugal?
188 visa-free countries with a Portuguese passport
Europe
Africa
Americas
Oceania
Asia
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