Legal Assistance for Portuguese Citizenship

Why Choose Us?

Our law firm specializes in navigating the complex process of obtaining Portuguese citizenship. Whether you are from a former Portuguese territory, married to a Portuguese citizen, or a descendant of Portuguese nationals, we provide expert guidance tailored to your unique circumstances. We are proudly International Associates of the American Immigration Lawyers Association and members of the Association of European Attorneys.

Over 20 years of experience in:

Portuguese Citizenship through Descent

Guidance for descendants of Portuguese nationals, ensuring a smooth application and process.

Portuguese Citizenship through Marriage

Specialized legal support for spouses (Legal Marriage or Civil Union upon 3 years of relationship) of Portuguese citizens.

Portuguese Citizenship For Minors 

Assistance in securing citizenship for minors with Portuguese parentage.

Portuguese Citizenship For Individuals from Macao and Goa

Expertise in specific cases of natives of former Portuguese colonies.

Portuguese Citizenship For Sephardic Jews

Legal support for citizenship and on the new requirement added in Apr/2024 to the cases opened between 01/Sept/2022 and 31/Mar/2024.

Portuguese Citizenship General Legal Assistance

Support in documentation, application submission, and follow-up on pending open cases, ensuring total compliance.

Defesa Legal Portugal Law Office can assist you in the following  cases:

• Adoption by Portuguese Citizens
• Minor or incapacitated, whose mother or father has acquired Portuguese nationality after his/her birth
• Children of one or two Portuguese parents, born abroad, who register their birth in the Portuguese Civil registry, or declare that they want to be Portuguese
• Individuals born abroad with at least one ascendant of Portuguese nationality up to the second degree in straight line, who has not lost that nationality
• Have been legally resident in Portugal for at least 5 years
• Minors, born in Portuguese territory, children of foreign citizens
• Individuals who have had Portuguese nationality and who, having lost it, have never acquired another nationality
• Children of foreigners who have usually stayed here in the 10 years immediately prior to the request
• Born in Portugal and having no other Nationality
• Children – born in Portugal – of foreign parents.

Some of the common requirements that apply to most situations are:

• Having sufficient knowledge of the Portuguese language;
• Not having been convicted – res judicata – of a crime punishable by Portuguese law with a maximum prison sentence of 3 years or more;
• Evidence of effective ties to the Portuguese community;
• Not having held administrative public functions of a non-technical nature at the service of a foreign state;
• Not having served as a voluntary military personnel in a foreign state;
• Not posing a danger or threat to national security or defense through involvement in activities related to terrorism.

Why Portuguese Citizenship?

Portuguese citizenship offers numerous benefits, including access to all European Union countries, a stable legal system, and one of the best passports in the world, opening doors worldwide. Also, don't forget that:

- Universal and almost FREE Public Health Service (medical consultation costs around 10€)

- Most welcoming country for expats in the world (InterNations™ Global Guide) 

- 3rd safest country in the world (Global Peace Index™ 2022)

- 4th strongest in the world (Global Passport Index™ 2021)

- 7th on the 2021 EF™ English Proficiency Index

- 21st fastest broadband internet access (speedtest.net™ - Speed: dl: 111 Mbps ul: 78 Mbps)

- 7th country with the best food in the world (USNEWS™ ranking)

- 8th best football national squad in the world (FIFA™ ranking)

- 3rd best surf town in the world (SurfHolidays™ ranking)