Portugal Dual Citizenship : Complete Guide after 5 years of Residency

Are you considering Portugal dual citizenship? Acquiring a second citizenship can open up a world of opportunities, from expanded travel and residency rights to potential tax benefits. For those who have been permanent residents of Portugal for five years or more, there is an appealing pathway to obtain dual citizenship and even apply for a Portugal second passport.
This guide will explore how to get dual citizenship in Portugal after five years of residency. We’ll cover the different options for seeking Portuguese citizenship, the requirements and application process, as well as the key benefits of having dual citizenship with Portugal. By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of what’s involved in securing a second citizenship by investment in this vibrant European nation.

What is dual citizenship ?

Dual citizenship, also known as dual nationality, is the status of an individual who is legally recognized as a citizen of two countries simultaneously. This means that a dual citizen holds the rights, obligations, and privileges granted by both countries, which can include the ability to live and work in either country, vote in elections, and receive consular protection abroad.

Does Portugal allow dual citizenship?

Portugal allows dual citizenship. This means that individuals can hold Portuguese citizenship alongside citizenship of another country without having to renounce either. Portugal’s laws are accommodating in this regard, enabling both Portuguese nationals and foreign nationals to benefit from the privileges and responsibilities of dual citizenship.

 Is applying for a Portugal second passport the same as obtaining dual citizenship in Portugal?

A second passport is a travel document issued to Portuguese citizens.  You will be able to apply for the passport once you obtained the Portuguese citizenship.  With your original citizenship, you will have dual citizenship.  Portugal recognize dual citizenship, meaning you won’t have to denounce your original citizenship.

Understanding the Different Pathways to Dual Citizenship

There are four primary pathways to obtain dual Portuguese citizenship:

By Birth: Automatic citizenship for those born in Portugal

Who is born within the Portuguese territory is automatically considered a Portuguese citizen under one of the following conditions: a) at least one of the parents is a Portuguese citizen, b) if both parents are foreigners, at least one of them has a residence permit in Portugal or c) if both parents are foreigners, at least one of them is residing in Portugal for at least a year under any circumstances.

By Descent: Citizenship through Portuguese parentage

You can acquire Portuguese citizenship through descent if you have at least one Portuguese parent or grandparent, regardless of your birthplace.  You must demonstrate ties to the Portuguese community through language proficiency, if it is your grandparent who is the Portuguese citizen.

By Marriage: Citizenship through genuine marital relationship

Foreign nationals married to or in a stable union with a Portuguese citizen may also be eligible for Portuguese citizenship. The duration of marriage or stable union has to be for at least three years. For the first, it is necessary to provide an updated and properly certified marriage certificate, while for the latter it is needed to file a lawsuit in Portugal to recognize such relationship through a judicial sentence.

By Naturalization: Citizenship through Residency and Investment

Non-EU nationals can obtain Portuguese citizenship after 5 years of legal residency in Portugal. Popular options include the Golden Visa program, which grants residency by investment in funds.  After 5 years of legal residency (having hold the resident permit for 5 years or more), you can apply for naturalization by meeting requirements like Portuguese language proficiency and a clean criminal record.

Options for Seeking Portuguese Citizenship after residency of 5 years

After five years of holding an Golden Visa in Portugal, you have several options to explore:

Option 1 – To Continue with the Current Portugal Golden Visa Temporary Residence

You can choose to continue renewing your temporary residence permit under the Golden Visa program. This process can  be repeated every 2 years. 

Renewal requirements:

The requirement for renewal is exactly the same. That is:

• 14 days stay requirement for each 2 year period
• Maintain the investment for the Portugal Golden Visa program
• Clean criminal record in Portugal and from your home and residing country
• No outstanding tax payment in Portugal

Who can renew ?

The main investor and all dependents under the same application.

What is the cost ?

The Portugal Golden Visa temporary residence permit must be renewed periodically. The key fees involved in the renewal process are:

The Portugal Golden Visa temporary residence permit must be renewed periodically. The key fees involved in the renewal process are:

Renewal Processing Fee:

• Per applicant ~€600

Residence Permit Renewal Fee:

• Per applicant: ~€3,000

Who would typically choose this option?

This option is suitable for those who…

• Are not able to achieve any level of proficiency to pass a A2 level Portuguese test or complete a recognized Portuguese course equal or higher than A2 level
• Don’t want to get the Portuguese citizenship due to reasons such as dual citizenship not allowed in home country

Conclusion

This is a high cost, high maintenance option. Even if you don’t want to get the citizenship, you still have the option to apply for a Portuguese permanent residence by investment, which we will be going into details in the next section. The only catch is that to apply for any Portuguese permanent residence or citizenship, you need to pass the A2 level exam or complete a recognized Portuguese course of A2 (basic level) or above.

Catch?

• If this is the route you intend to go for, you must be sure that you can hold your golden visa investment continuously.
• Furthermore, if you have children over (or will be over) 18 years of age that are under the same Portugal Golden Visa application as your dependent, they must meet the following 3 criteria at the time of each renewal (same requirement as the first 5 years of the Portuguese Golden Visa)
  • be unmarried, and
  • be dependent 
  • be a student

Option 2 – To Apply for Portuguese Permanent Residence

After five years of legal residency, Golden Visa applicant can apply for the permanent residence permit. For this process, the maintenance of the golden visa investment is no longer necessary.

Application or renewal requirements :

• Pass the A2 level Portuguese language test or complete a recognized Portuguese course of A2 level or higher. 
• Clean criminal record in Portugal and from your home and residing country
• No outstanding tax payment in Portugal
• Proof of residence/ accommodation
• Proof of resources to sustain your living

The permanent residence permit is valid for 5 years, and you can renew this permit as long as you meet the renewal requirements and the below stay requirements.  Please note that once you have achieved the required language test/ completion of course, you will not need to repeat it for each renewal. It is advisable to check with a lawyer or an immigration consultant on all matters concerning your immigration process and be prepared for the documentations and requirements requested. Here is some info from AIMA for applying the Portuguese permanent residence permit

Renewal Stay requirements:

For those who obtained the permanent residence permit under the Golden Visa program, the general rule of not being able to be out of Portugal for 24 consecutive months or 30 non-consecutive months for each 5-year period DOES NOT APPLY. Through this special benefit, its holders only need to be in Portugal for 35 days during the 5-year period (same as the 7-days per year rule).

Who can apply ?

The main investor and all dependents including spouse, children and parents.

What is the cost ?

Application/ renewal fee : ~8000€ per application

Who would typically choose this option?

• Don’t want to get the Portuguese citizenship due to reasons such as dual citizenship not allowed in home country
• Intend to keep the residence permit after the mandatory 5 years of investment 

Conclusion

It is a more beneficial regime, since the mandatory investment period has been concluded and no longer need to be kept, and the residence permit holder obtains a longer validity. The rights as a resident of Portugal remain.

Catch?

• Applicants must have passed the A2 level Portuguese exam or complete a recognized Portuguese course of A2 level or higher. 

• Children over age of 18 don’t need to meet any special requirement ( be dependent, a student, and unmarried) at the time of application nor at renewal.

Option 3 – To Apply for Portuguese Citizenship

The most coveted option is to apply for Portuguese citizenship by naturalization after five years of legal residency. Portuguese citizenship is probably the top ultimate goal for most Golden Visa applicants. You’ll need to prove sufficient Portuguese language proficiency, ties to the community, a clean criminal record, and meet other naturalization requirements.

From Portugal Golden Visa to Portuguese second citizenship

Portugal allows dual citizenship, so the only catch is if your home country doesn’t allow dual citizenship. And even so, some applicants denounced their home citizenship and opt for Portugal citizenship.Getting your Portuguese second citizenships doesn’t come with much downside as there are:

• No obligatory army training

• No stringent inheritance law or tax law for citizen

Check out 20 reasons why Portugal is the ideal country for your second passport

Application requirement for Portuguese Citizenship

• Pass the A2 level Portuguese language test or complete a recognized Portuguese course of A2 level or higher. 
• Clean criminal record in Portugal and from your home and residing country

Stay requirement for renewal of Portuguese Citizenship

• Nil

Who can apply for Portuguese Citizenship?

• The main investor, spouse, and dependents over 18 of age
• For children under 18, they are able to
• Apply for citizenship if they live/ study in Portugal, or
• Get a permanent residence permit for the time being and, once the main investor or spouse receives their Portuguese citizenship, apply for the children’s Portuguese citizenship
• Get a permanent residence permit for the time being and apply for their own citizenship at the age of 18 years old.

Application fee for Portuguese Citizenship

~250€ per application

Who would typically choose this option?

Getting dual Portuguese citizenship means you would also become an EU citizen and you can live, study, and work in all 27 EU countries. It has all the benefits, and no downside.  Once you get the citizenship, it is for life, and you don’t have to worry about any stay requirement, income requirement, investment requirement any more.The cost of application/ renewal is also cheaper than the other options. This option is highly recommended to those who do not have any conflict on dual citizenship in their home country. 

Conclusion

Once you obtain Portuguese dual citizenship, it is permanent. You will become both a Portuguese citizen and a European Union (EU) citizen. You only need to renew your citizenship card when it expires; there are no additional requirements for renewal. This means no more worries, no more counting days of stay, and no more visits to the AIMA.  In fact, the application for citizenship is not even handled by the AIMA.

Catch?

• Same as option 2, children over age of 18 don’t need to meet any special requirement (be dependent, a student, and unmarried) at the time of application.

Comparison of the 3 Options

With various options catering to different needs and situations, the Portugal Golden Visa is one of the best Plan B solutions in the world. To help you compare these options, here is a comparison table of the four main choices at a glance. Evaluate your goals to choose the best path !

Benefits of Dual Portuguese Citizenship

If obtaining dual Portuguese citizenship is your final choice, it comes with a wealth of advantages that can significantly enhance your personal and professional life. What are the benefits of citizenship by investment in Portugal? Here are some key benefits to consider:

Expanded Freedom of Movement and Settlement

As a Portuguese citizen, you gain the right to live, work, and study in Portugal without restrictions, as well as in any of the 27 European Union (EU) member states. This freedom of mobility allows you to explore numerous countries for residence or employment opportunities without the hassles faced by non-EU citizens. Additionally, Portuguese passport holders experience shorter waiting times and fewer restrictions when entering EU nations, making frequent travel more convenient. You can also apply for a Portugal second passport, further enhancing your travel options.

Access to Educational and Career Opportunities

Portuguese citizenship grants you access to Portugal’s acclaimed social security system, robust healthcare, and quality education. You can pursue higher education at some of the world’s premier institutions in Portugal or other EU countries with much better opportunities as an EU student.  Or take advantage of government-sponsored healthcare programs in Portugal or other EU countries.  Furthermore, exciting employment opportunities await, allowing you to advance your career dreams in Portugal or any EU country.

Enhanced Quality of Life and Cost Savings

Portugal consistently ranks as one of the world’s most welcoming countries, offering an exceptional quality of life. From high-quality housing and environmental standards to personal security and modern infrastructure, Portugal has it all. Its stable political climate, rich cultural heritage, and scenic tourist spots make it an attractive destination for settling down or visiting. Moreover, Portugal boasts a relatively lower cost of living compared to other EU countries, enabling you to enjoy a comfortable, budget-friendly lifestyle without compromising on luxury or beauty.

Conclusion

As you consider this path, remember to carefully evaluate your goals and priorities, ensuring that the chosen option aligns with your long-term aspirations. Whether you decide to continue with temporary residency, pursue permanent residency, or take the leap toward naturalization for getting dual citizenship and apply for a Portugal second passport, the road ahead holds the promise of personal and professional growth within the welcoming embrace of Portugal and the European Union.

Here are more reasons why The Golden Portugal.

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What is Portugal Golden Visa?

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