HOW TO OBTAIN PORTUGUESE NATIONALITY?

Obtaining Portuguese nationality is a privilege that many crave, especially for all those who are from another continent and who intend to settle in Europe.

Every year, there are several processes that enter the conservatories so that people from other foreign countries can effectively have Portuguese nationality, however, it is not as simple a process as one might think, immediately, because, and in order to contain and to protect the country, it is only granted to those who fulfill several requirements.

A foreigner can thus acquire Portuguese nationality because of his will, adoption and naturalization.

The acquisition of nationality at will occurs in the case of minor or older children, accompanied by a father or mother who acquires Portuguese nationality or in case of de facto union or marriage for more than three years with a Portuguese citizen. A foreigner can also acquire nationality by adoption.

By naturalization, nationality is acquired as long as the interested party cumulatively satisfies certain requirements, that is, whether he is older or emancipated under Portuguese law, legally resident in Portuguese territory for at least five years, sufficiently knows the Portuguese language, has not been definitively convicted of committing a crime with a prison sentence of three years or more, does not constitute a danger to national security or defense, for his involvement in activities related to the practice of terrorism.

In the case of descendants of Sephardic Jews, namely those belonging to the old Jewish communities of the Iberian Peninsula, it is enough that they fulfill the first and last requirement.

In this sense, nationality can also be granted to individuals who are ancestors of Portuguese citizens and who reside in Portugal, even if not legally, for at least five years immediately prior to the request and provided that the ancestry has been established at the time of birth. Portuguese citizen.

Recently, the Nationality Law (Law No. 37/81, of 03 October), was changed and extended to the children of immigrants who have lived in Portugal for a year, which translates into a greater opening of “our” borders foreign citizens.

We can also take into account another, more complex and time-consuming way of acquiring nationality, which is exactly through Gold Visas, which is a way to attract investment to Portugal and in return to facilitate the acquisition of Portuguese nationality, being able, in this scope, a foreigner request its acquisition after 5 years, without the obligation to reside in the country during that period.

It is, therefore, an excellent option for foreign citizens who are interested in investing in Portugal and at the same time being legalized to stay, reside, work in the country, in addition to the advantages of traveling through the Schengen Area without needing a visa, besides, those who are still interested in acquiring Portuguese Nationality.

The bureaucracy surrounding this whole process is granted by decision of the Minister of Justice, after submitting an application by the interested party at the civil registry offices or at the Portuguese consular services.