Portugal is one of the more generous countries in Europe for descendants. If a parent or grandparent was Portuguese, you may be able to claim citizenship and an EU passport without giving up the one you have, and since 2026 a great-grandparent can open a route too.
Each route asks for something different. A parent route is the simplest, a grandparent route usually means proving a basic level of Portuguese, and the new great-grandparent route adds years of legal residence in Portugal. The 2026 Nationality Law, in force since 19 May 2026, also closed the Sephardic route to new applicants and tightened naturalisation.
Twelve guides covering which route is yours, the records and language exam you need, how long it takes, and what to do if your application stalls.
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Which Route Is Yours?
Through a Parent
The simplest route of all.
Through a Grandparent
The main route for the Portuguese diaspora.
Through a Great-Grandparent
New in 2026, but it comes with a residence requirement.
Children After 2026
Minors born before you became Portuguese, and babies born in Portugal.
Sephardic & Naturalization
The closed Sephardic route, and naturalising through residence.
Applying
Requirements & Process
What each route asks of you, and how to apply.
Ordering Records From Abroad
Birth, marriage and death certificates via Civil Online, consulates and archives.
The A2 Language Exam
How, where and when to take the CIPLE exam from abroad.
How Long It Takes
Realistic timelines by route, from parent to great-grandparent.
Stuck or Refused?
Complaints, the Ombudsman and court action to force a decision.
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