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We are a law office located in Lisbon, Portugal

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Portuguese Citizenship via Naturalization – the 2024 law

An individual who has lived in Portugal as a legal resident for a minimum of five years can apply for citizenship and a portuguese passport.

This is usually the case of the "manifestaçao de interesse", golden visa holders or EU citizens that are living in Portugal or D7 residence permit holders.

With the new 2024 nationality law started on from 1st April 2024, the time since the submission of a temporary residence permit application will now be considered for citizenship application countin time, not as before - only when the residence visa was issued.

For obtaining the citizenship based on the 5 years permise one needs to demonstrate sufficient knowledge of the Portuguese language usually through a portuguese test.

Portuguese test may be booked here: CIPLE test.

Sample questions for the CIPLE test here.

Moreover, the individual must have no criminal convictions for a crime with a jail sentence of three or more years.

After all documents for the submission are gathered one can submitt an online application through the help of a qualifed and bar registered lawyer.

The file submission can be tracked online so the process can be followed-up throgh the time and get an immediate passport process status.

Documents needed and requirements for citizenship 5 years naturalization

- birth certificate (if possible);
- proof of proficiency in the Portuguese language;
- current passport or travel identification;
- details concerning the date and place of birth;
- profession;
- current place of habitation, and a list of nations of previous residency;
- record of criminal history; and
- legal document proving legal residence in Portugal for the requisite time.

Similaritudes and Differences in Permanent Resident or Naturalized Citizenship?

Both may:

- engage in full or self-employment (without a work permit);
- participate in academic study;
- access retirement benefits and pensions; and
- Purchase real estate.

Only Portuguese citizens, however, have the following rights:

- vote in national elections and referendums;
- hold a Portuguese passport;
- secure EU citizenship; and
- live, work, or retire in any other EU member state.

How to get citizenship after the 5 years Portugal's Golden Visa?

The Golden Visa is a unique Portuguese program devised to increase foreign investment in the country. The program expedites the visa process for international investors from non-EU countries. if they purchase Portuguese real estate or invest an established minimum value. Provided applicants for this program meet all the specified conditions, non-EU national's can receive Portuguese residence permits and later apply for full citizenship after 5 years. Get in touch in case you fall into this category and we will gladly help you to apply.