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If you’re married to a Portuguese citizen, you may be eligible to apply for Portuguese citizenship after more than three years of marriage, even if you have never lived in Portugal.
The same possibility exists for couples in a legally recognised de facto partnership (união de facto), although additional legal steps are required.
Portuguese citizenship by marriage is different from naturalisation through residency. There is no general requirement to live in Portugal for five or ten years, but the relationship must meet the legal conditions, and applicants may need to demonstrate ties to the Portuguese community.
Portuguese Citizenship by Marriage Requirements
Under Article 3 of Portugal’s Nationality Law, a foreign national married to a Portuguese citizen for more than three years can apply for nationality while the marriage remains valid.
The main requirements are:
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Marriage duration | More than 3 years |
| Portuguese spouse | Must hold Portuguese nationality |
| Residence in Portugal | Not generally required |
| Connection to Portugal | May need to be demonstrated |
| Criminal record | Relevant convictions can prevent acquisition |
| Government application fee | €250 |
The application must be made while the marriage is still legally valid. Marriage does not automatically confer citizenship but the authorities will assess the applicable legal requirements.
Do You Need to Live in Portugal?
Nope. Applicants are normally allowed to apply for Portuguese citizenship by marriage when living abroad.
For example, an American married to a Portuguese citizen for seven years could qualify even if the couple always lived in the United States.
This is especially true for international families who want to keep their current residence but also want to obtain Portuguese nationality.
However, the applicants must ensure that their marriage is duly registered in Portugal and the required civil documents are available.
Do You Need to Prove Ties to Portugal?
This will depend on the length of the relationship and the applicant’s circumstances.
Portugal’s nationality laws make provision for cases where a link to the Portuguese community is established or presumed, and hence limit the need for applicants to provide further proof.
| Circumstances | Connection to Portugal |
|---|---|
| Marriage lasting more than 3 years | Evidence of effective ties may be relevant |
| Marriage lasting at least 5 years, with qualifying language or residence conditions | Presumptions of effective connection may apply |
| Marriage lasting more than 6 years | Lack of effective connection is not a ground for opposition |
| Couple has children together who hold Portuguese nationality | Lack of effective connection is not a ground for opposition |
The 2026 Nationality Law expressly protects applications involving marriages or recognised partnerships lasting more than six years, or couples with common children holding Portuguese nationality, from opposition based solely on insufficient ties to Portugal.
Other statutory grounds for opposition may still apply.
For couples who have been married for a shorter period, evidence of Portuguese language knowledge, legal residence, family connections or participation in Portuguese community life may be relevant.
Read our guide to proving ties to Portugal for citizenship for further information.
Portuguese Citizenship Through a De Facto Partnership
Marriage is not the only option. Portugal also allows nationality applications from foreign nationals who have lived in a de facto partnership with a Portuguese citizen for more than three years.
However, a de facto partnership must be recognised by a Portuguese court for nationality purposes.
This is an important distinction. Although couples may obtain documentation of their relationship through a local parish council, such a declaration alone does not replace the judicial recognition required for citizenship.
Applicants generally need a court judgment recognising the partnership and a recent declaration from the Portuguese partner confirming that the relationship continues.
The judicial process should therefore be considered before preparing the nationality application, particularly when the couple lives abroad.
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Is Marriage Transcription Required?
If you marry outside of Portugal, you will need to have the marriage transcribed in the Portuguese civil registry before applying for citizenship.
For instance, a Portuguese national who got married to an American spouse in New York might need to register the marriage in Portugal first, before the foreign spouse can proceed with a nationality application.
Depending on the couple’s history, previous marriages or divorces may also need to be filed or acknowledged.
These steps can add time to the process, so it’s worth checking the Portuguese spouse’s civil registration records early.
For more information, see our Portuguese Marriage Transcription Guide.
Documents Required for Portuguese Citizenship by Marriage
The exact documentation required will depend on the applicant’s circumstances, but a typical application will include:
- Birth certificate and ID of the applicant
- Registration of Portuguese marriage or judicial recognition of the marriage of the common law
- Details of Portuguese spouse’s birth registration
- Certificates of the criminal record of the relevant countries
- Evidence of links with Portugal, where appropriate
- Nationality declaration completed and application fee paid.
Foreign documents may require an apostille or other legalization, and a certified Portuguese translation.
The applicants should also check whether the Portuguese authorities can obtain certain civil records themselves, thus avoiding unnecessary requests for documents.
How to Apply for Portuguese Citizenship by Marriage
Normally, the process begins with verifying eligibility and checking civil registration records of the couple.
If the marriage took place abroad, any transcription required should of course be done first. Couples in a de facto partnership require the judicial recognition they need.
The applicant then fills out the declaration of nationality and the supporting documents.
Depending on the circumstances, applications can be made through Portuguese nationality services or consular channels. Lawyers and solicitors representing applicants submit via the official online nationality portal.
The authorities then review the application and may ask for further documents or clarification before taking a decision.
How Much Does Portuguese Citizenship by Marriage Cost?
The official government fee for acquiring Portuguese citizenship through marriage is €250 per applicant.
Additional expenses depend on the circumstances.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Citizenship application | €250 |
| Marriage transcription, if required | Additional government fee |
| Apostilles and translations | Varies |
| Legal or advisory assistance | Typically €1,000–€2,000 |
Couples applying through a de facto partnership should also budget for the separate judicial recognition procedure.
The total cost will depend on the number of documents, whether the marriage is already registered in Portugal and whether any previous civil status records need to be corrected.
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How Long Does Portuguese Citizenship by Marriage Take?
The processing times depend on the workload of the Portuguese registration authorities and the complexity of the application.
If there is a transcription of marriage or judicial recognition of a partnership or missing civil documents, the applications may take longer before being able to submit the nationality request.
Once the application is submitted it goes through a series of administrative steps.They may also request additional documentation.
For a detailed explanation of estimated timelines and common causes of delays, read our Portuguese Citizenship Processing Time Guide.
Getting Help With Portuguese Citizenship by Marriage
Portugal Residency Advisors also helps international couples with their applications for Portuguese nationality, marriage transcription and recognition of de facto partnership.
We are able to assess your eligibility, verify the required civil records and help you in preparing the application, also in cases of marriages celebrated abroad or previous divorces.
If you are married to a Portuguese citizen or in a long-term partnership, contact Portugal Residency Advisors to discuss your situation and the process involved.
Your Questions Answered
Can I get Portuguese citizenship after three years of marriage?
In theory, you can apply if you have been married for more than three years to a Portuguese citizen, providing the marriage is still valid and you meet the nationality criteria that are relevant.
Do I need to speak Portuguese to obtain citizenship by marriage?
Not at all.Knowledge of the Portuguese language is not a general requirement for citizenship by marriage but may be relevant when proving an effective link with the Portuguese community.
Can I apply for Portuguese citizenship by marriage while living abroad?
Yes. Living in Portugal is not generally required for this nationality route. Many applicants submit their applications while residing in another country.
Is Portuguese citizenship automatic after six years of marriage?
No. A marriage lasting more than six years removes the ground of opposition based on insufficient connection to the Portuguese community, but the applicant must still submit an application and satisfy the other legal requirements.
Can unmarried partners apply for Portuguese citizenship?
Yes. Couples who have lived in a de facto partnership for more than three years may apply, provided the partnership has been recognised by a Portuguese court and the other nationality conditions are satisfied.
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