If you have Portuguese parents, grandparents, or ancestry, you may be eligible for Portuguese citizenship by descent—giving you a passport to the European Union.
At Borderless Lawyers, we help clients around the world prove their lineage and legally obtain citizenship through their Portuguese heritage.
🇵🇹 What Is Citizenship by Descent?
Citizenship by descent (also called jus sanguinis) allows individuals with Portuguese ancestry to acquire citizenship without needing to live in Portugal.
Key Benefits:
✔️ No residency requirement
✔️ Full Portuguese and EU citizenship rights
✔️ You can pass citizenship to your children
✔️ Dual nationality allowed
✔️ Visa-free travel to 190+ countries
👨👩👧 Who Qualifies?
Here’s who can apply under this route:
1. 📌 Children of Portuguese Citizens
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At least one parent is or was a Portuguese citizen
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Can be born inside or outside Portugal
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No residency or language requirement
2. 📌 Grandchildren of Portuguese Citizens
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At least one grandparent was Portuguese
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Must show connection to the Portuguese community
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Basic Portuguese language (A2) required
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Stronger documentation requirements
3. 📌 Sephardic Jewish Descendants (Highly Restricted)
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Must prove descent from Sephardic Jews expelled from Portugal in the 15th century
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Current legal pathway is very limited and subject to strict conditions
📋 Key Requirements
Depending on your family connection, you may need:
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🧾 Parent/grandparent’s Portuguese birth certificate
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📜 Your full birth certificate
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🗣️ Proof of Portuguese language (for grandchildren)
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📁 Proof of connection to the Portuguese community (for grandchildren)
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🛂 Clean criminal record
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🏛️ Documents apostilled and translated into Portuguese
🗣️ Language & Cultural Connection for Grandchildren
If applying as a grandchild, you must demonstrate:
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🎓 Basic Portuguese proficiency (A2 level)
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📚 Enrollment in Portuguese language or culture courses, or
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📝 Membership in a Portuguese community or cultural center abroad
💡 Borderless Lawyers can help gather acceptable proof of connection and language certification.
📅 Application Timeline
Typical processing times:
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🔍 Document prep: 2–6 weeks
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📤 Application submission to Portuguese Civil Registry (IRN)
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⏱️ Processing time: 12–24 months
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🪪 Citizenship certificate issued
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🛂 Apply for a Portuguese passport
👨👩👧👦 Can You Include Family Members?
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Minor children of successful applicants are usually eligible
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Spouses may apply for citizenship after 3+ years of marriage
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Future children automatically gain Portuguese citizenship if one parent is a citizen
🛡️ Why Use Borderless Lawyers?
Our experienced team provides:
✅ Genealogy consultation and eligibility checks
✅ Document tracing and legalization
✅ Portuguese translations and certified submissions
✅ Language exam registration and guidance
✅ Representation before the Portuguese Civil Registry (IRN)
✅ Help with passport and family applications
We’ve helped clients from 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇺🇸 USA, 🇬🇧 UK, 🇿🇦 South Africa, 🇨🇦 Canada, 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇮🇱 Israel, and more.
📌 Real Examples
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✔️ Brazilian client claimed citizenship through maternal grandfather born in Lisbon
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✔️ South African applicant proved paternal link via archived parish records
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✔️ American client submitted A2 Portuguese certificate and cultural connection proof
✈️ Ready to Claim Your Portuguese Roots?
📩 Contact Borderless Lawyers to explore your eligibility for citizenship by descent. Whether you’re one document away or need full support, we’ll guide your journey to becoming a Portuguese citizen.