Portuguese Citizenship by Birth: Who Qualifies in 2026?

Citizenship Routes > Citizenship

Updated: October 15, 2026

Being born in Portugal does not automatically make you Portuguese. In Portugal, the rules to acquire Portuguese nationality for a child born in the country are specific and different from those of countries like the United States or Canada.

For foreign families in Portugal, the parents’ nationality and the family’s history, as well as the circumstances of the child, all count.

But changes took effect in May 2026 too, so it’s even more important for parents to know if their child qualifies.

Does Portugal Grant Citizenship by Birth?

Yes, but not to everyone born in the country.

Portuguese nationality law recognises several situations in which a child can be Portuguese from birth.

Children born in Portugal to a Portuguese mother or father are Portuguese by origin. Children of foreign parents may also qualify, provided they meet the legal requirements.

A child born in Portugal who would otherwise have no nationality can also qualify for Portuguese citizenship.

For families where neither parent is Portuguese, residence history is often the deciding factor.

Children Born in Portugal to Foreign Parents

Under the nationality law that came into force on 19 May 2026, a child born in Portugal to foreign parents may qualify for Portuguese nationality by origin if at least one parent has been legally resident in Portugal for five years at the time of birth.

Parents cannot be serving the government of their home country in Portugal and a declaration with a request for Portuguese nationality is required.

Take, for example, an American couple who moved to Lisbon in 2020 and have lived there as legal residents ever since. Hence, if the child is born in Portugal in 2026, he or she may qualify for the Portuguese nationality under these provisions.

Now think of a couple who landed in Portugal in 2025. If their child is born the following year, they would not normally satisfy the five-year requirement for nationality by origin under this particular route.

However, other nationality provisions may apply. For example, Portuguese law also recognises certain children born in Portugal when one foreign parent was also born in Portugal and resides there.

Children who do not qualify for nationality by origin at birth may have other routes to Portuguese citizenship later.

What Are the Requirements?

The requirements depend on the family’s circumstances, but the main situations include:

Situation	Portuguese citizenship
Child born in Portugal to a Portuguese parent	Portuguese by origin
Child born in Portugal to foreign parents, with one parent legally resident for at least five years	May qualify by origin upon declaration
Child born in Portugal with one foreign parent also born and resident in Portugal	May qualify by origin
Child born in Portugal who would otherwise be stateless	Portuguese by origin
Child born in Portugal to recently arrived foreign parents	Not normally eligible by origin solely because of birthplace

These rules concern nationality by origin. Separate provisions may allow minors born in Portugal to foreign parents to acquire Portuguese nationality, depending on parental residence or the child’s education in Portugal.

Applications already pending when the May 2026 changes entered into force may also be subject to transitional rules.

How to Apply for Portuguese Citizenship by Birth

The first step is to register the child’s birth with the Portuguese civil registry. In Portugal, regardless of both parents being foreign nationals, births need to be registered within 20 days.

However, birth registration and recognition of Portuguese nationality are not the same thing. Registering a child born in Portugal does not automatically establish that the child is Portuguese.

Where a nationality declaration or application is required, the parents will normally need documents establishing the child’s identity, parentage and eligibility.

Depending on the case, these may include the child’s birth certificate, parents’ identification documents, proof of legal residence and other civil registry records.

Foreign documents may require an apostille or other legalisation, together with certified translations where applicable.

Once Portuguese nationality has been established and properly registered, the child can obtain a Portuguese Citizen Card.

Portuguese Citizenship by Birth vs Descent

Birth and descent are closely connected under Portuguese nationality law, but they do not always involve the same requirements.

A child born in Portugal to foreign parents may qualify because of the circumstances of their birth and their parents’ residence.

A child born abroad to a Portuguese parent may also be entitled to Portuguese nationality by origin, usually through registration of the birth or a nationality declaration.

There are also specific nationality provisions for descendants of Portuguese citizens, including grandchildren.

If you have Portuguese parents or grandparents, our Portuguese Citizenship by Descent Guide explains the relevant pathways.

Getting Help With Portuguese Citizenship

It is useful for foreign families living in Portugal to know the rules of nationality before having a child and to avoid misconceptions and unnecessary delays.

Portugal Residency Advisors helps international families with the Portuguese residency and citizenship process including eligibility assessment, document preparation and coordination of nationality applications.

If you’re unsure whether your child is eligible, please contact our team to discuss your situation and the options available.

You can also read our Portuguese Citizenship Guide for an overview of the different routes to Portuguese nationality.

Your Questions Answered

Does being born in Portugal automatically give you Portuguese citizenship?

No. Portugal does not have unconditional birthright citizenship. Children of foreign parents born in Portugal must meet certain legal conditions that can include the parents’ residence status and history. Children of Portuguese parents normally acquire Portuguese nationality through descent.

Can a child born in Portugal to foreign parents get Portuguese citizenship?

Yes. A child of foreign parents, born in Portugal, may acquire Portuguese nationality, if the conditions laid down by law are fulfilled. These may include the parent’s legal residence in Portugal. Other provisions may apply when a parent was also born in Portugal or when the child would otherwise be stateless.

Can a baby born in Portugal get a Portuguese passport?

Yes, but only after Portuguese nationality has been established and registered. Being born in Portugal does not automatically entitle a child to a Portuguese passport. Once the child is recognised as a Portuguese citizen, the parents can request a Citizen Card and subsequently a Portuguese passport.

Can children born in Portugal obtain citizenship if their parents do not qualify?

Perhaps. In addition, even if a child is not born a Portuguese national, other routes of nationality may be available. These may depend on the child’s residence, education in Portugal or the parents’ circumstances. Each case must be evaluated in light of the applicable nationality law.

How long does it take to obtain Portuguese citizenship for a child born in Portugal?

Processing times are dependent on the legal basis and the procedure. Birth registrations of Portuguese parents are generally less complex than nationality applications requiring proof of the foreign parents’ residence or other eligibility requirements. More complex cases can take several months or longer, depending on the civil registry’s workload and documentation.