whereTOemigrate
Get your free results
PT country scene

Portuguese nationality — spouse or de facto partner of a Portuguese national for over 3 years

PortugalFamily

Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.

Official link

Explore pathways in Portugal Read the five questions ↓

Which family relationships qualify?

Spouse of a Portuguese citizen, or partner in a de facto union recognised by a court, for more than 3 years at the date of the request.

See recorded sources

Who may sponsor or bring the family member, and what immigration/citizenship status must that person hold?

The spouse or de facto partner must be a Portuguese national (português), with the marriage or union lasting more than 3 years. The official source does not state whether the nationality must be held by origin or by acquisition.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • The page does not say whether the Portuguese partner must hold nationality by origin or acquisition.

What is important for proving marriage, partnership, parentage, custody, dependency or another qualifying relationship?

Married: marriage certificate (may be dispensed if registered in Portugal). De facto union: certificate of the court judgment recognising more than 3 years living in conditions similar to marriage, plus a declaration less than 3 months old from the Portuguese citizen. Both: applicant's legalised birth certificate and the partner's birth certificate.

See recorded sources

What important financial, accommodation, insurance or maintenance responsibilities apply?

The checked official sources did not provide enough route-specific evidence to confirm the financial, accommodation, insurance or maintenance requirements.

How does the application work at a high level, what rights does the family member receive, how long does the status last, and how can it become independent or longer-term where officially stated?

A declaration for acquisition of Portuguese nationality is filed, online via a lawyer or solicitor, in person or by post; the request costs 250 euros. Evidence of connection to the Portuguese community may be needed; it is automatically recognised if at the date of the request: married/united for at least 6 years; or at least 5 years with proof of Portuguese; or at least 5 years and born in and national of a Portuguese-speaking country; or common children of Portuguese nationality; or legal residence in Portugal for at least 5 years; or at least 3 years of legal residence plus study in Portugal or Portuguese knowledge. Barred by a prison sentence of 3 or more years, non-technical public office in another country, non-compulsory military service in another country, or terrorism. The official source does not state the rights conferred or their duration.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • Rights conferred and duration are not stated.

These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

Explore more pathways in Portugal · All pathways

Your story.
Your next step.

Explore pathways in Portugal →