How to Get Portuguese Citizenship by Descent in 2025: The Ultimate Guide

Could your ancestors hold the key to a powerful passport in a highly sought-after country?

If you have Portuguese roots, you might be surprised to learn that citizenship by descent is a real possibility. And it’s more valuable than you might imagine.

According to our Nomad Capitalist Passport ranking, Portugal’s passport is the third-best in the world. The country has also offered an excellent tax program , offering ten-year tax cuts on many sources of income.

Aside from that, Portugal is one of the most beautiful European countries with diverse terrain and climate, and its capital is a renowned digital nomad hub thanks to the abundance of co-working spaces and a sizable expat community.

If a beautiful, tax-friendly EU country with a high standard of living is where you see your best future – Portugal is the place for you.

To help those in search of this option, we’ve put together this citizenship by decent guide. In it, you’ll find everything you need to know if it’s a possibility for you, the benefits of being a Portuguese citizen along with some other options you could use.

What is Citizenship by Descent (CBD)?

Citizenship by descent, also called CBD, allows you to claim citizenship of a country based on your ancestry.

Most CBD countries offer citizenship if you have parents from that country. However, some countries can accept familial ties that go back two or even three generations.

Unlike citizenship by investment, which often requires a substantial investment, CBD is basically free. It’s, therefore, well-worth it to check out your family tree and to see if you are eligible for citizenship by descent in any country that offers you a new world of possibilities.

Of course, tracking all that information down and securing the necessary documents can be tricky, as can making your citizenship application. That’s why we launched our citizenship by descent service , to make the whole process easier and more efficient.

How to Qualify for Portuguese Citizenship by Descent

Gaining Portuguese citizenship by descent is a relatively straightforward process if you meet the right criteria. Here are the different routes available.

Portuguese Citizenship by Descent Through Ancestral Ties

With Portuguese CBD, foreigners with a Portuguese parent or grandparent can acquire Portuguese citizenship by descent.

Of course, the burden of proof is on you. You will need to demonstrate birth certificates, marriage certificates, and any other document the authorities may deem necessary in the citizenship process.

As is often the case, the further up you go in your family tree, the harder it is to retrieve information or documents regarding your ancestors.

But it doesn’t have to be this way; Nomad Capitalist’s experienced team can help .

Right of Return for Sephardic Jews

Sephardic Jewish ancestry is another route to acquiring citizenship in Portugal. In April 2013, Portugal amended its Law on Nationality to permit descendants of Sephardic

Jews expelled to claim Portuguese citizenship on the provision that they ‘belong to a Sephardic community of Portuguese origin with ties to Portugal.’ This came into effect in March 2015.

If you believe you are eligible to apply for this, get in touch with us, and we can help you through each step of your application process.

How to Apply for Portuguese Citizenship by Descent

Your path to Portuguese citizenship by descent depends on your unique family history and place of birth

If you are born in Portugal, that makes you a Portuguese citizen by default, regardless of your parents’ nationality.

For those born outside of Portugal, a direct link to a Portuguese parent is key. If your birth was registered in the Portuguese civil registry by at least one Portuguese parent, you are eligible to claim citizenship through descent.

You also qualify to become a Portuguese citizen if you have a Portuguese ancestor as a second-degree relative (grandparents), provided they didn’t lose their citizenship.

Portuguese Citizenship by Descent Application Process

If you’re eligible for Portuguese citizenship by descent, here’s what you need to do.

Apply for Portuguese Citizenship Through Portuguese Parents or Grandparents

If you want to apply for Portuguese nationality through a first-degree relative, as in a Portuguese parent, you can do so at the Portuguese Consulate of your current residency.

If you want to obtain Portuguese citizenship via a Portuguese ascendant in the second degree as in a grandparent, you need to demonstrate knowledge of the Portuguese language, apply for a tax ID and open a Portuguese bank account.

Documents Required for Portuguese Citizenship by Descent

• Application form signed in the presence of Portuguese consulate official
• Certified copy of your birth certificate
• Copy of Passport or other valid picture ID
• Any relevant marriage certificate
• Copy of birth certificate of both parents
• Birth certificate of the Portuguese grandparent – if applicable
• Birth certificate of the parent who is the child of the Portuguese grandparents, if applicable
• Document proving that you speak Portuguese – if applicable
• Criminal record certificate.

Note that an amendment to the requirements was made in March 2022. You also need to prove
a deep and lasting connection with Portugal, which can be done in one of two ways:

• Proof of personal (home) or professional base (company) in Portugal
• You have travelled regularly to Portugal throughout your life.

How to Apply for Portuguese Citizenship through the Portuguese Jewish Community

If you choose to pursue Portuguese citizenship through Jewish descent, you will need to obtain additional documents.

Namely, you need a certificate from a Sephardic community recognised under Portuguese law (confirming that you are a descendant of Portuguese Sephardic Jews) and a certified document from your Jewish community.

Benefits of Becoming a Portuguese Citizen

Why claim Portuguese citizenship by descent in the first place? Here are some of the main reasons to consider it.

Gain a Portuguese Passport

A Portuguese passport gives you visa-free, visa-on-arrival or eTA access to 175 countries, including the US and the UK and free movement throughout the EU. This makes it one of the most powerful passports to hold in your back pocket as a backup plan.

Join an EU Member State

Portugal is an EU member state, so acquiring Portuguese citizenship will give you all the benefits enjoyed by EU citizens.

As a Portuguese citizen, you can take advantage of free tuition and quality universal healthcare in the EU.

Tax Benefits

While tax laws are constantly changing, gaining Portuguese citizenship practically guarantees tax benefits – as long as you know how to plan effectively.

If you don’t move to Portugal, and you don’t own any assets there, you won’t have to pay any tax in Portugal. If you later choose to relocate, Portugal has double taxation treaties with over 70 countries to prevent you from being taxed twice on your income.

Moreover, the country used to offer a non-habitual tax residency program granting ten-year tax exemptions on most sources of income. While this has ended, NHR 2.0 may be on its way.

So, if you’re worried about the high-tax liability that comes along with being a Portuguese citizen, you can check out the non-habitual tax route. Plus, a minimal residency requirement ensures you hold on to your Portuguese passport.

Citizenship by Descent in Portugal: FAQs

Should You Get Portugal Citizenship by Descent?

In addition to boasting one of the strongest passports in the world, Portugal allows dual citizenship, meaning you won’t have to lose your existing citizenship to gain the Portuguese one.

For those who don’t plan to spend much time in Portugal or are wary of its high-tax status, proper tax planning and Portuguese tax residency can do wonders in reducing or even eliminating your Portuguese tax bill.

Eager to start your Portuguese CBD journey? We have helped many clients receive second citizenship through ancestral ties, and we would love to do it for you, too. All you have to do is contact us , and we will make sure that you reap all the benefits of a second citizenship process and none of the woes.