Applying for citizenship is an exciting yet complex process, and delays can be frustrating. If your application is taking longer than expected, you’re not alone. Many factors, such as background checks, document verification, and processing backlogs, can contribute to extended wait times.
In this article, we’ll explore the common reasons for delays, how you can check your application status, and steps you can take to help move things along.
The Portuguese Citizenship
Portuguese citizenship grants individuals the legal status of being a national of Portugal, providing them with the right to live, work, and study in the country, as well as across the European Union (EU). It also offers the ability to travel visa-free to numerous countries, access social benefits, and participate in political life, such as voting in national elections.
Benefits of the Portuguese Citizenship
Obtaining Portuguese citizenship comes with a wide range of advantages, particularly for those looking to live, work, or travel freely within Europe and beyond. Here are some of the key benefits:
1. EU Freedom of Movement
As a Portuguese citizen, you gain the right to live, work, study, and retire in any of the 27 European Union (EU) countries, as well as in the European Economic Area (EEA), which includes Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein.
2. Visa-Free Travel
A Portuguese passport grants visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 190 countries, making it one of the world’s most powerful passports. This includes unrestricted travel across the Schengen Zone and easy access to destinations like the U.S., Canada, Australia, and the UK.
3. Dual Citizenship Allowed
Portugal permits dual citizenship, meaning you can retain your original nationality while enjoying the benefits of Portuguese citizenship. This is ideal for those who want to expand their global mobility without giving up their existing citizenship.
4. Access to Portugal’s Healthcare and Education
Portuguese citizens benefit from free or low-cost healthcare under the Serviço Nacional de Saúde (SNS), Portugal’s public healthcare system. Additionally, they can access affordable, high-quality education, including public universities with significantly lower tuition fees compared to other Western countries.
5. Family Reunification and Citizenship for Descendants
Portuguese citizenship allows you to sponsor family members, such as spouses and children, for residency and eventual citizenship. If you obtain Portuguese citizenship, your children can automatically become citizens, even if they are born abroad.
6. Generational Benefits
Once you become a Portuguese citizen, you can pass on citizenship to your children and future generations, giving them access to all these privileges.
How Long Does It Take to Obtain Portuguese Citizenship?
Obtaining Portuguese citizenship can be a longer and more complex process than many applicants anticipate. This is not only due to the extensive documentation required—some of which is not always clearly outlined in the law—but also because of the significant waiting time for applications to be processed.
When applicants learn that the estimated processing time for a Portuguese citizenship application is typically between 2 to 3 years, they are often surprised and may even reconsider their decision.
Why Does It Take So Long?
The IRN (Instituto dos Registos e do Notariado), the governmental body responsible for reviewing citizenship applications under the Portuguese Ministry of Justice, has experienced a surge in citizenship requests, particularly since the pandemic. At the same time, the number of professionals reviewing applications has not increased at the same pace.
Additionally, with recent amendments to nationality law, the IRN has placed greater emphasis on ensuring that every applicant meets all legal requirements, which has led to even longer processing times.
Is There a Legal Deadline for Processing Citizenship Applications?
Technically, yes. According to Article 41 of the Nationality Regulation, the IRN has:
- 30 days to analyze an applicant’s documentation and eligibility
- 60 days to issue a decision
If this legal timeframe were followed, Portuguese citizenship applications would be concluded within 4 months. However, in reality, even applications for minors, which are typically simpler, are not processed this quickly.
To bypass this legal responsibility, the Consultative Council of the IRN issued Report No. 76/2022, stating that this legal deadline should not be considered binding due to the current shortage of staff and high demand for applications.
This effectively means that while the law outlines a clear timeline, the IRN does not adhere to it, further extending processing times for applicants.
How Can I Speed up my Portuguese Citizenship Application?
While many applicants accept the long waiting times for Portuguese citizenship, for some, the delay can significantly impact their lives.
For individuals who have been waiting well beyond the legal timeframe for a decision from the IRN (Instituto dos Registos e do Notariado)—especially elderly applicants or those with serious health conditions—there is an alternative to simply waiting.
Legal Action: The Subpoena for the Protection of Rights, Freedoms, and Guarantees
If your Portuguese citizenship application has been unreasonably delayed, you may be able to expedite the process through legal action. The Subpoena for the Protection of Rights, Freedoms, and Guarantees is a special and urgent judicial administrative action designed to protect fundamental and constitutional rights when government entities, such as the IRN, fail to act within their legal obligations.
Because of the urgent nature of this legal action, the Portuguese judicial system allows foreigners to file this subpoena, but only through a Portuguese lawyer. This means you do not need to be a Portuguese citizen to access the Portuguese courts and challenge the delay.
Who Can File This Legal Action?
To successfully argue for an urgent review of your application, it must be proven that the IRN’s delay has violated your fundamental rights. The court does not consider the passage of time alone as sufficient grounds for urgency—it must be demonstrated why the delay is causing significant harm.
According to Portuguese court rulings, the strongest cases for urgency typically involve:
- Elderly applicants, where time is a critical factor.
- Severe health conditions, where the delay worsens the applicant’s quality of life.
However, even if you do not fit into these specific categories, you may still have the right to appeal. If you can prove that:
- The IRN failed to meet the legal deadline, and
- The delay is causing serious consequences, such as affecting your family unification, self-determination, or legal status,
then the court may accept your subpoena.
Why Is This Legal Action Effective?
Portuguese courts recognize that when an applicant meets all legal requirements, the right to citizenship is a fundamental right tied to personal identity, family unity, and effective participation in society. If the IRN has unjustifiably delayed your application, legal action can force them to prioritize your case.
For those facing significant delays, consulting a Portuguese lawyer specializing in administrative law can be a crucial step in accelerating your citizenship process.
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Why to Work With Us
At Portugal Residency Advisors®, we understand how frustrating and time-consuming the Portuguese citizenship process can be—especially when delays stretch well beyond the legal deadlines. That’s why we offer more than just guidance; we provide real legal solutions to help speed up your application.
Our in-house legal team specializes in Portuguese administrative and immigration law, giving us a unique advantage in handling cases where the IRN (Instituto dos Registos e do Notariado) has failed to process applications in a timely manner.
How We Can Help
- Expert Legal Support – Our legal team has extensive experience dealing with delayed applications and knows the best strategies to push your case forward.
- Judicial Action to Expedite Your Case – If your application has exceeded the legal timeframe, we can initiate a Subpoena for the Protection of Rights, Freedoms, and Guarantees, compelling the courts to intervene and prioritize your case.
- Personalized Case Assessment – We evaluate your specific situation, whether due to advanced age, health conditions, or other urgent needs, and determine the most effective legal path.
Frequently Asked Questions About My Portuguese Citizenship is Taking Too Long
How long does it take to obtain Portuguese citizenship?
The standard processing time is 2 to 3 years, despite the legal deadline being 4 months. Delays are caused by high demand and a shortage of staff at the IRN (Instituto dos Registos e do Notariado).
Can I speed up my Portuguese citizenship application?
Yes. If your application has significantly exceeded the legal timeframe, and especially if you have urgent reasons (such as advanced age or health conditions), we can file a Subpoena for the Protection of Rights, Freedoms, and Guarantees to push the IRN to process your application faster.
What legal action can be taken if my application is delayed?
We can initiate a judicial administrative process through the Portuguese courts, compelling the IRN to make a decision on your application when it has been unjustifiably delayed.
Do I need to be in Portugal to take legal action against the IRN?
No, you do not need to be in Portugal. Our in-house legal team can represent you remotely and file the necessary legal actions on your behalf.
Who is eligible to request legal intervention to speed up their citizenship application?
Anyone whose application has been delayed beyond the legal deadline may qualify. Cases involving elderly applicants, serious health conditions, or urgent family reunification are often prioritized by the courts.
Can I apply for Portuguese citizenship while living abroad?
Yes, you can apply from abroad, and we can assist you with all legal requirements and representation without you needing to be physically present in Portugal.
Does Portugal allow dual citizenship?
Yes, Portugal allows dual citizenship, so you don’t need to renounce your current nationality to become a Portuguese citizen.
What are the benefits of Portuguese citizenship?
Portuguese citizenship grants you EU rights, visa-free travel to over 190 countries, access to healthcare and education, and the ability to live, work, and study anywhere in the European Union.
