Holding a Dual Citizenship With Portugal: Requirements, Process, and Benefits in 2025

Holding a second citizenship means you are legally recognized as a citizen of two countries and can benefit from the rights and privileges of both. However, not all countries permit dual citizenship, and those that do enforce strict criteria for the applicants.

This guide explains whether Portugal allows dual citizenship and addresses key questions and concerns for expats, including:

• Methods for securing dual citizenship with Portugal
• Visa options that provide a pathway to citizenship in Portugal
• Advantages of Portuguese citizenship for expats
• The Portuguese citizenship application process

Does Portugal Allow Dual Citizenship?

Portugal allows dual nationality, which means you can usually keep your previous citizenship when becoming Portuguese—as long as your home country’s laws permit it.

While countries like the UK and Canada allow dual citizenship, others like China and Singapore prohibit it, so your eligibility largely depends on your home country’s laws.

If your native country allows you to hold a dual nationality, you can obtain citizenship in Portugal, provided you meet specific eligibility criteria, such as securing a qualifying visa. 

As a Portuguese citizen, you will gain the right to:

• Live and work in Portugal
• Vote in national elections
• Travel, work, and live within the EU 

However, you may also have to file tax returns in both countries and comply with their unique laws and regulations.

Can You Have Dual Citizenship in the U.S. and Portugal?

You can obtain a U.S.-Portugal dual citizenship since both America and Portugal permit their citizens to hold two nationalities at the same time. 

While holding dual citizenship in Portugal and the U.S. allows you to legally live and work in either jurisdiction, you are also required to file a tax return in both countries. This can result in double tax liability, as the U.S. taxes its citizens on worldwide income regardless of where they reside. 

Meanwhile, Portugal has a residence-based tax system, which means: 

1. Residents are subject to tax on global income
2. Non-residents are liable for tax on income sourced in Portugal

If you are a Portuguese tax resident with a Portugal-U.S. dual citizenship, both jurisdictions have the right to tax your worldwide income. However, this doesn’t mean you must pay taxes twice, as you can rely on one of the following tax-relief options:

Double Tax Relief Method	Overview
Double tax treaty	The U.S. and Portugal double tax treaty contains provisions that grant the primary taxing right to one of the contracting states, protecting you from dual taxation on specific types of income
Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE)	The FEIE allows you to exclude up to $126,500 of foreign-earned income from U.S. taxation. This applies if you meet certain criteria, such as being a bona fide resident of Portugal for an entire tax year or spending at least 330 full days outside the U.S. during any 12-month period
Foreign Tax Credit (FTC)	The FTC allows you to claim a dollar-for-dollar credit against your U.S. income tax for qualifying income taxes paid to Portugal

What Are the Benefits of Obtaining Portuguese Citizenship?

In addition to being allowed to live, work, and study in Portugal without any restrictions, holding a Portuguese citizenship has the following advantages:

• Access to the EU and Schengen Area: Portuguese citizens have permission to reside and work in any of the 27 countries that are a part of the European Union without additional visas or permits. You can also live and work in non-EU countries that are members of the Schengen Area, including Norway, Iceland, and Switzerland 
• Affordable cost of living: The cost of living in Portugal is lower than in its neighboring countries, such as Spain and Italy. For a moderate lifestyle, a single person needs around €650 per month on average without rent. Renting an apartment adds another €700–€1,500, depending on location and size
• High quality of life: Portugal provides a high standard of living thanks to its high-quality healthcare and high-class education. It’s also known for its safety for both visitors and residents, as Portugal ranked seventh on the 2025 Global Peace Index
• Various business opportunities: Portuguese citizenship allows you to establish a business in Portugal and within the EU. Setting up a business in Portugal requires minimal bureaucracy, and you may benefit from reduced corporate tax rates if your company is registered in the autonomous region of the Azores or Madeira
• Minimal residency requirements: Once you obtain Portuguese citizenship, you aren’t required to reside in Portugal to keep it. This means you can live elsewhere while still enjoying the benefits of being an EU citizen

How To Get Citizenship in Portugal: Qualifications by Right, Relationship, and Naturalization

Portugal offers several direct paths to becoming a citizen. Below are the primary routes that may qualify you for citizenship:

1. Descent
2. Marriage
3. Naturalization

Descent

You can qualify for Portuguese citizenship if one or both of your parents are Portuguese citizens, regardless of where you were born. This is the most common pathway to becoming a Portuguese citizen, and it’s known as citizenship by descent. To qualify, your parent must have been a Portuguese citizen at the time of your birth.

You may also qualify for citizenship by descent through your grandparents if they retained their Portuguese nationality. To qualify this way, you also need to have lived in Portugal for at least three years or can demonstrate a strong connection to the Portuguese community, which usually includes proficiency in the Portuguese language.

Marriage

You can be granted citizenship in Portugal after being married to or in a civil union with a Portuguese citizen for at least three years. While there are no specific residency requirements you must meet before applying, you must demonstrate a connection to the Portuguese community. This typically includes proficiency in the Portuguese language.

When submitting your application, you’ll need to provide required documentation, such as your marriage certificate and your spouse’s Portuguese citizen card.

Naturalization

To obtain Portuguese citizenship through naturalization, you must legally reside in Portugal for at least five years and hold a valid residence permit throughout that time. After five years, you can apply for citizenship, provided you meet other eligibility criteria, such as passing a Portuguese language test.

Most expats obtain their residence permits by applying for one of the visa options available to non-EU foreign nationals. 

What Visa Options Can Lead to Citizenship in Portugal?

Obtaining the right visa provides a direct pathway to Portuguese citizenship. The most common qualifying visa options include:

1. Golden Visa
2. D3 Visa
3. D7 Visa
4. D8 or Digital Nomad Visa

Golden Visa

The Portuguese Golden Visa offers residency to high-net-worth non-EU nationals who make a qualifying investment. The visa is renewable every two years, and there are three investment routes you can take:

Golden Visa Investment Options	How To Qualify
Fund investment	Invest €500,000 or more in Portuguese investment funds, including private equity or venture capital funds
Donation	Invest €250,000 in preserving Portugal’s national heritage or donate €500,000 to scientific research institutions
Investing in a Portuguese company	Transfer €500,000 to an existing Portuguese business. To be eligible, the company must also create at least five full-time jobs within three years

The requirement for the donation to the national heritage preservation reduces to €200,000 if you allocate funds to a low-density area. 

Additionally, you can qualify for the visa by creating 10 jobs, or eight in a low-density area, without a minimum investment requirement.

Once you obtain the Golden Visa and hold it for five years, you can apply for Portuguese citizenship. The visa includes set-up and renewal fees, but you must stay in Portugal for only seven days in the first year and a total of 14 days in the following two years to retain validity.

D3 Visa

Portugal’s D3 Visa, or a Highly Qualified Activity permit, grants residence to highly qualified workers after one year of employment or self-employment in Portugal.

The visa is valid for two years and can be renewed. After holding a visa for five years while permanently living in Portugal, you can apply for citizenship.

Highly-qualified activities under this visa typically fall into two categories:

1. Managers: Including officers, executives, legislators, company directors, and managers in various fields
2. Intellectuals and scientists: Including educators, engineers, healthcare workers, and business professionals

To qualify, you must have an employment contract valid for at least a year and earn a salary at least 1.5 times the national average.

D7 Visa

Also known as the Retirement Visa or Passive Income Visa, the Portuguese D7 Visa allows non-EU nationals to obtain residency in Portugal if they have passive income exceeding the Portuguese minimum wage of €870 per month. Qualifying income sources include:

• Rental income
• Pension income sourced outside Portugal
• Investments
• Business dividends

The visa is initially valid for two years, and you are required to spend at least 16 months in Portugal to retain it. You can renew the visa after two years and apply for citizenship once you’ve held it for five years.

D8 or Digital Nomad Visa

The Digital Nomad Visa, or D8 Visa in Portugal, enables remote workers from outside the EU to reside and work in Portugal while being employed by a non-Portuguese company. This visa comes in two forms:

1. Temporary stay visa: Valid for up to one year, with the possibility of renewal
2. Long-term residency visa: Provides a two-year residence permit, renewable for up to five years

The latter is more suitable for expats looking to secure citizenship in Portugal, as it provides a direct pathway to Portuguese citizenship.

To obtain the visa, you must meet strict requirements, which include:

• Earning at least €3,480 per month
• Hold savings of at least €10,440 in a bank account
• Have a valid contract for the remote position
• Secure a comprehensive health insurance in Portugal

Portuguese Citizenship Application: Step-by-Step Process Explained

The application process for citizenship in Portugal involves preparing the required documentation and meeting specific legal requirements. It generally includes the following steps:

1. Provide proof of residency: This involves providing evidence of legal residence in Portugal, such as your visa, employment contract, and rental agreements
2. Submit the necessary certificates: You must supply a copy of your birth certificate and, if you are applying for citizenship by marriage to a Portuguese citizen, a copy of the marriage certificate
3. Complete a background check: Since acquiring Portuguese citizenship requires a clean criminal record, you must present records from your home country and any other countries of residence
4. Fill out the application form: If you meet all the eligibility criteria, you need to obtain the official application form from the Portuguese consulate or the Portuguese Immigration and Borders Service (SEF) and complete it
5. Cover application fees: The fees you must pay will depend on the pathway to citizenship, but they are typically around €250
6. Pass the language test: You must demonstrate basic conversational proficiency in Portuguese. This implies achieving at least 55% on the language proficiency test

Depending on the visa you obtain, there may be additional steps. For instance, holders of the Digital Nomad or Golden Visa must also provide proof of financial stability.

To ensure your application for citizenship in Portugal goes smoothly, consult Nomad Capitalist for professional support.

Obtain Portuguese Citizenship Effortlessly With Nomad Capitalist

Nomad Capitalist is an advisory firm that helps international high-net-worth clients secure citizenship, protect their assets while residing abroad, and create a tax plan that minimizes tax liability. 

Instead of a one-size-fits-all solution, we create a specialized Action Plan, a step-by-step strategy based on your goals, whether they include obtaining citizenship or taking a different path. To design a Plan that meets your objectives, we do the following:

1. Ask you to complete a quick application form to determine whether you’re a good fit
2. Schedule a one-on-one onboarding call to understand your needs better
3. Create and present a detailed plan based on the specifics of your relocation goals
4. Implement the plan and handle all the administrative work
5. Provide ongoing support with any questions or concerns you may have

By partnering with Nomad Capitalist, you get a trusted ally who handles the legwork and lets you focus on the rewarding aspects of your relocation. Build a custom strategy today!