Portuguese Nationality

The latest amendment to Portuguese Nationality Law has been recently approved by the Portuguese Parliament through Organic Law No. 1/2026 of 18 May 2026.

According to this updated version, Portuguese nationality can now be mainly obtained by:

Portuguese nationality by origin (“Atribuição da nacionalidade”)

  1. Children of Portuguese mother or father born in Portuguese territory or abroad;
  2. Individuals born abroad with at least one ascendant of Portuguese nationality of the 2nd degree of the direct line (grandmother or grandfather) that has not lost such nationality;
  3. Individuals born in Portuguese territory who are children of foreign nationals if at least one of the parents was also born in Portugal and is resident here at the time of birth;
  4. Individuals born in Portuguese territory who are children of foreign nationals provided that at the time of birth one of the parents has been legally resident in Portugal for at least 5 years;
  5. Individuals born in Portuguese territory who do not have other nationality.

Portuguese nationality by acquisition (“Aquisição da nacionalidade”)

  1. Foreign nationals that have been married (or in partnership) with a Portuguese national for more than 3 years;
  2. Individuals adopted by a Portuguese national;
  3. Individuals that have been legally resident in Portugal for at least 7 years (nationals of countries with Portuguese as an official language and citizens of European Union Member States) or 10 years (nationals of other countries);
  4. Minors born in Portuguese territory who are children of foreign nationals if one of the parents has been legally resident in Portugal for at least five years;
  5. Stateless individuals who have been legally resident in Portugal for at least 4 years;
  6. Individuals who had and lost Portuguese nationality but never acquired another nationality;
  7. Individuals who are descendants in the 3rd degree of the direct line of Portuguese citizens by origin and that have been legally resident in Portugal for at least 5 years;
  8. Individuals who have provided or are called to provide relevant services to the Portuguese State.