A Portuguese passport gives its holder the right to travel as a Portuguese citizen and enjoy the benefits of European Union citizenship. But there is one important requirement: you must first be a Portuguese citizen.

For people with Portuguese ancestry, a Portuguese spouse or a history of legal residence in Portugal, obtaining citizenship is usually the most important part of the journey. Once nationality has been granted or recognised, applying for the passport is relatively straightforward.

This guide explains who qualifies for a Portuguese passport, how to obtain citizenship first, and what the passport application involves in 2026.

Who Can Get a Portuguese Passport?

The Portuguese Electronic Passport is available to Portuguese citizens, whether they were born in Portugal or acquired nationality later in life.

You do not need to have been born in Portugal, speak Portuguese or live in the country to obtain a passport once you are a Portuguese citizen.

However, holding a Portuguese residence permit, owning property or investing in Portugal does not automatically make you eligible for a Portuguese passport.

Your SituationCan You Apply for a Passport?
Already a Portuguese citizen with a valid Citizen CardYes
Portuguese citizen living abroadYes
Child of a Portuguese citizen, nationality not yet registeredCitizenship must be established first
Married to a Portuguese citizenCitizenship must be acquired first
Portuguese residence permit holderNot unless Portuguese nationality has been acquired
Golden Visa investorNot automatically; citizenship is a separate process

The distinction matters because the passport application itself is usually much simpler than the process of becoming Portuguese.

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How to Qualify for Portuguese Citizenship First

If you are not yet a Portuguese citizen, your first step is to establish whether you qualify for nationality.

There are a variety of routes possible.

Portuguese ancestry: You may be eligible if you have a Portuguese parent or grandparent depending on your family history and the applicable legal requirements.

Marriage: Foreign nationals married to Portuguese citizens for more than three years may be eligible. Certain legally recognised de facto partnerships also qualify.

Residence: Foreign nationals may be eligible for naturalization after a specified period of residence. Under the 2026 nationality regime the normal requirement is 7 years for EU and CPLP nationals and 10 years for most other foreign nationals, subject to any applicable transitional rules.

These routes are subject to different documentation and eligibility requirements. For instance, the Golden Visa is a residency option, not citizenship, through investment.

For detailed information about the available routes, documents and application process, read our Portuguese Citizenship Guide.

Portuguese Passport Requirements

Once your Portuguese nationality is registered, you will generally need a valid Portuguese Citizen Card (Cartão de Cidadão) or the older Portuguese Identity Card (Bilhete de Identidade) to apply for a passport.

If you have recently acquired Portuguese nationality, obtaining your first Citizen Card is normally the next step.

You do not need to repeat the nationality application, provide proof of residence or take a Portuguese language test when requesting the passport.

For renewals, you should also bring your previous passport.

Applicants under 18 require additional documentation from the person exercising parental responsibility.

How to Apply for a Portuguese Passport

The passport application is processed in person as biometric data must be collected.

If you have a valid Portuguese identity document you can then book an appointment at an authorized passport service.

At the appointment, your identity is verified and the necessary biometric data is collected. You then pay the applicable government fee and select the available collection or delivery option.

Once issued, the passport can be collected at the designated location or delivered where that service is available.

The application procedure is essentially the same for Portuguese citizens who acquired nationality through ancestry, marriage or naturalisation.

Where Can You Apply for a Portuguese Passport?

Portuguese citizens can request a passport at authorised registry offices and Citizen Shops (Lojas de Cidadão) throughout Portugal.

Passport services are also available at Lisbon and Porto airports, subject to the applicable appointment and service arrangements.

If you live abroad, you can generally apply through a Portuguese consulate serving your area.

For example, someone who obtained Portuguese nationality through a grandparent but lives in the United States can request their Citizen Card and subsequently apply for a passport through the relevant Portuguese consular services.

Appointments in Portugal can be arranged through the official SIGA booking system.

Portuguese Passport Fees and Processing Times in 2026

Passport fees depend on where the application is made and how quickly the document is needed.

For applications in mainland Portugal, Madeira and the main Azores service locations, the standard fees are:

Passport ServiceGovernment FeeIndicative Processing
Standard€655 working days
Express€852 working days
Urgent€951 working day
Urgent with Lisbon Airport collection€100Same day, subject to conditions

For applications through Portuguese consulates in Europe, the standard passport fee is generally €75.

In the United States, the standard fee is also €75, but delivery can take up to 30 days.

Additional delivery charges may apply. Processing times depend on the location, submission deadlines and service availability.

These are passport issuance times, not citizenship processing times. Acquiring Portuguese nationality is a separate procedure that can take considerably longer.

Portuguese Passport Benefits

The main advantage of a Portuguese passport is that it provides internationally recognised proof of Portuguese nationality and facilitates travel.

As a Portuguese citizen, you are also an EU citizen, with the right to live and work in other EU Member States under the applicable European rules.

This can be particularly valuable for someone who wants to maintain their current home abroad while preserving the option of relocating to Europe.

For example, a Canadian who acquires Portuguese citizenship through a Portuguese parent can continue living in Canada while gaining the possibility of working in Portugal, France or Germany without the immigration procedures normally required of Canadian nationals.

The Portuguese passport also provides extensive visa-free or visa-on-arrival travel access, although entry requirements depend on the destination and can change.

Portugal permits dual citizenship, so many applicants can retain their original nationality. However, the laws of their other country must also be considered.

What Our Clients Say

Tim Evans
Tim EvansUSA
We began working with Portugal Residency Advisors (PRA) in April 2024 to consider residency in Portugal. Pedro Branco and Beatriz Garcia provided critical incite and information in helping us decide how best to apply for the Portugal Golden Visa Program. The most wonderful thing was that their advice was completely independent and they were not trying to sell us any investment scheme that they would benefit PRA. They provided professional advice and let us decide what worked best for us. We completed the process in less than two months. I highly recommend that you talk with them regardless of who you have talked with already.
Phyllis Kynas
Phyllis KynasCanada
My experience with Portugal Residency Advisors has been exceptionally good. Pedro Branco (client manager) provided me with clearly set out details of their services and costs and timeline. Right from the start, Beatriz Garcia (immigration lawyer) has promptly set out clearly what steps I needed to take for my visa application. She was always helpful and supportive (when I was feeling stressed by the process) and guided me through it with patience and a quick response. Portugal Residency Advisors took me through a complicated and detailed process efficiently and clearly, and I am sure that it would have taken me much longer, and with much more stress, without them.
Lyssa Adkins
Lyssa AdkinsUSA
I recommend to Beatriz Garcia and Portugal Residency Advisors completely. They helped us with our immigration meetings scheduling and preparation. I am quite sure that without Beatriz we would still be waiting for our immigration appointment. The onboarding process and documents collection process was incredibly smooth and professional.
Chyntia Sutton
Chyntia SuttonUSA
The best team of immigration attorneys in Portugal! Pedro and Fernanda were so attentive to every single question, nothing was too small or too big to handle for them. They guided us through every stage to the point of arrival in Portugal. They continue to be available to us whenever we have questions. We highly recommend them and we will add their contact information on one of our podcast episode as well. Thank you for your excellent expertise!
Ann-Marie Giustibelli
Ann-Marie GiustibelliUSA
Beatriz and Pedro were professional, kind most importantly (to me) is they were effective. They promptly answered all of my questions; even after my case was finished. I would hire them again in a second!
Francis Miles
Francis MilesUK
Pedro helped us through the legal minefield when purchasing a property in Portugal, along with the residency aspects as well. He is always on call, professional and extremely patient, and we are happy to recommend him and his company.
Andrew Symons
Andrew SymonsUK
Portugal Residency Advisors provided an excellent service. They took control of the whole residence permit application process, explained to me what was going on, gathered and presented all the required documentation. I received my permit 20 days after the application.
Mehmet Kidman
Mehmet KidmanTurkey
They are a highly successful team that you can completely trust and always get support from throughout our residency application process. We were very pleased with their immediate support regarding our issues.
Alejandro Castellano
Alejandro CastellanoSpain
Thank you, Pedro, for making my experience of moving to Portugal so lovely!
Piero Colafranceschi
Piero ColafranceschiItaly
Perfect assistance all along the process!

Portuguese Passport Validity and Renewal

The standard Portuguese Electronic Passport is generally valid for five years.

You can apply for a renewal or replacement before the old passport expires. The new passport is issued in place of the extension of the validity period of the former document.

For renewal you will normally need your valid Citizen card and your last passport.

Lost or stolen passports may require additional reporting or identification requirements.

Portuguese citizens living abroad are able to renew their passport through consular services but availability of appointments and delivery times may vary.

Not Yet a Portuguese Citizen?

If you want to obtain a Portuguese passport and you are not yet a Portuguese citizen, you will need to first check if you are eligible for citizenship.

Portugal Residency Advisors helps international clients obtain nationality by Portuguese ancestry, marriage and legal residency.

Our team can review your situation, assist in identifying the correct nationality route and help prepare the necessary documentation.

Once your Portuguese citizenship is approved or recognized, you are able to apply for your Citizen Card and then apply for your passport directly through the Portuguese authorities.

Contact Portugal Residency Advisors to see if you qualify for Portuguese Citizenship.

Your Questions Answered

Yes, if you are already a Portuguese citizen. There are many Portuguese citizens that live abroad and get their passports through the Portuguese consulates.

Perhaps. Having a grandparent from Portugal can provide a route to Portuguese nationality. Only after the applicable nationality procedure is completed can one apply for a passport.

No. Portugal does not sell citizenship or passports. The Golden Visa provides a route to residence, with a possible future nationality application if the legal requirements are met.

In mainland Portugal, the standard passport costs €65. The usual consular fee is €75, although delivery or faster processing may involve extra costs.

Once you have Portuguese nationality and a valid Citizen Card, standard passport issuance in mainland Portugal normally takes five working days. Obtaining the Citizen Card and any necessary appointments can add time.

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