Individuals of foreign parents born in Portugal are Portuguese Citizens of origin if none of the parents were posted in Portugal at the service of their respective country and if they declare their wish to be Portuguese citizens and if at time of birth, at least one of the parents was residing legally in Portugal for a period of at least 5 years.

Who is eligible?

Direct descendents of foreign citizens born in Portuguese territory, after 8 of October 1981, in accordance with law 37/81 of 3rd of October, are eligible for Portuguese Nationality if at the date of birth, the mother or the father was a legal resident of Portugal for at least 5 years and none of the parents was posted in Portugal at the service of a foreign country and if they declare their wish to Portuguese Nationality according to article 1, No. 1, clause e) of Portuguese Nationality Law and article 10 of Portuguese Nationality Code.

Who can submit the application?

According to the Nationality Code, applications for Attribution of Nationality can be submitted by the applicant when aged more than 18 years old or by those exercising the paternal power for the underage. The applicant or those exercising paternal power can also elect an attorney (through a power of attorney) to represent and to act on behalf of the applicant for Attribution of Nationality.

What documents are required?

• Photocopy of the Birth certificate.
• Document issued by the Portuguese Foreign and Border Agency demonstrating that at the date of birth of the child, at least one of the parents was residing legally in Portugal for at least 5 years.
• Document issued by the Portuguese Foreign and Border Agency demonstrating that none of the parents was at the service of a foreign country.

Applications can be submitted in:

• Extensions of the Civil Registry Offices in Portugal
• Civil Registry Offices in Portugal
• Portuguese Consular Services
• Through the services of a Portuguese lawyer or a person acting on behalf of the applicant or those exercising the paternal power, with a written Power of Attorney