Portugal is a country full of charm, with its stunning coastline, typical cuisine, Mediterranean climate, rich history and, most of all, its safety. These attributes have attracted hundreds of people in the last few years, many of whom moved permanently to Portugal, and some might be eager to obtain Portuguese Citizenship.

One of the ways to become a Portuguese citizen is through marriage or a registered partnership with a Portuguese citizen. In this post, we’ll guide you through the process of acquiring Portuguese citizenship through marriage and all the aspects you should consider.

What is Citizenship Through Marriage or Registered Partnership?

If you’re married to or living in a registered partnership with a Portuguese citizen, you might be eligible to apply for Portuguese Citizenship. The application process is lengthy, and it involves several steps and specific documentation, which is why legal support can make the process smoother and more efficient for you. You can always hire Visas in Portugal to simplify the application and take care of everything so you don’t have to worry!

Requirements for Citizenship Through Marriage

The main requirement for applying for Citizenship through marriage is that your spouse must be a Portuguese Citizenship and hold a Portuguese Citizen Card. Your spouse wouldn’t necessarily have to have been born in Portugal, as their Citizenship could have been obtained through their parents or grandparents, or by legally residing in Portugal for more than five years.

In order to legally live in Portugal, you must first apply for a residence permit. Citizenship is not required to live in Portugal and, with the application being a lengthy process, it may be beneficial to weigh the pros and cons of obtaining your Citizenship.

Advantages of Portuguese Citizenship

• Once you obtain Portuguese Citizenship, you will have the same rights and duties as any other Portuguese citizen, including the right to:
• ⦁ Apply for public office;
• ⦁ Vote;
• ⦁ Run for a political career.
• You will also have the same rights as any European citizen, meaning you can work, study and travel within the European Union (EU) and the European Economic Area (EEA) without the need for a Visa, as granted by the principle of free movement enshrined in the EU treaties.
• Additionally, the Portuguese passport is one of the most valuable in the world, allowing you to enter numerous countries without the need for a Visa

Impediments to Obtaining Portuguese Citizenship

According to the Nationality Law, you must be married or living in a registered partnership with a Portuguese citizen for at least three years to be eligible to apply for Citizenship.

Apart from that, there are some general obstacles towards obtaining Portuguese Citizenship:
⦁ Having been sentenced to imprisonment for three or more years due to a crime punishable in Portugal;
⦁ Holding public office in another country;
⦁ Having performed non-compulsory military service in another country;
⦁ Being involved in terrorist activities.

Dual Citizenship

Portuguese Law allows for dual citizenship, so you don’t have to renounce your original nationality to acquire Portuguese citizenship. However, some countries do not allow dual citizenship, meaning that, depending on your country’s Laws, you might have to relinquish your original nationality

Losing Citizenship

There are two reasons why you could lose your Portuguese Citizenship: the first is by declaring
that you no longer wish to be a Portuguese citizen, and the second is if you present false documentation or make false declarations.

If things don’t go as planned and you decide to divorce or separate from your partner that granted you Citizenship do you lose your citizenship? You can breathe a sigh of relief, as the annulment of the marriage does not affect the nationality acquired, if you did so in good faith.

If you still have doubts, our Visas in Portugal team can guide you through the whole legal process of obtaining Portuguese Citizenship. Book a consultation or hire our Citizenship services to help with your application. We look forward to hearing from you!