If you are married to or in a civil partnership with a Portuguese citizen, Portuguese Nationality Law allows you to become a European citizen as well. Turn your relationship into a shared legal right through Portuguese Citizenship by Marriage and strengthen your family’s legacy.
Portuguese nationality for spouses is granted through acquisition of nationality. This means that once the legal requirements regarding length of relationship and connection to the national community are met, you may apply for Portuguese citizenship through marriage, as provided under Portuguese Nationality Law.
This is an excellent strategy for families planning to live in Europe, as it ensures both partners hold the same rights to work and reside legally, simplifying daily bureaucracy and increasing legal certainty for the entire family.
Portuguese law requires a minimum length of relationship and proof of ties to the national community. The requirements for Portuguese citizenship for spouses vary depending on the length of the marriage or civil partnership and whether the couple has Portuguese children.
If the couple has children together who already hold original Portuguese nationality, the minimum required duration of marriage or civil partnership is reduced to three years.
In this case, “effective ties to the Portuguese community” are presumed by law, and no additional complex evidence is required.
If the couple does not have children together—or if the children are not Portuguese—the minimum required duration of the relationship is six years.
After this period, effective ties to the Portuguese community are also presumed, making the process of acquiring Portuguese citizenship through marriage significantly easier.
Portugal recognizes civil partnerships (União de Facto). However, it is first necessary to recognize (homologate) the Brazilian civil partnership agreement or court decision through a Portuguese court before applying for nationality. This is the legal pathway to Portuguese citizenship through a civil partnership, provided the relationship has been properly validated in Portugal.
Under Portuguese law, a Portuguese citizen who marries abroad remains legally single in Portugal until the marriage is officially registered there.
For this reason, the mandatory step before applying for citizenship is the Marriage Transcription. This step is essential for Portuguese Citizenship by Marriage, as without it, the Portuguese state does not recognize the marital bond for nationality purposes. We handle this preliminary process by registering your Brazilian marriage with the Portuguese authorities, ensuring the relationship is officially recognized before the nationality application is submitted.
We verify the duration of the marriage or partnership and the existence of children to determine the most advantageous legal framework.
We complete the marriage transcription or civil partnership recognition in Portugal (an essential preliminary step).
We organize all required documents (civil records, criminal background checks, proof of ties if necessary) and submit the application to the Central Civil Registry. This includes full guidance on the documents required for Portuguese citizenship through marriage.
We track the application through to final approval and the issuance of your Portuguese birth record by naturalization.
Secure equal rights and opportunities for both partners. Speak with our team to regularize your marriage in Portugal and begin your nationality application with confidence.
No. If you meet the required timeframes (three years with Portuguese children or six years without), you may apply while living abroad. If the relationship duration is shorter (three years without children), proof of effective ties—often involving legal residence—may be required.
No. You will hold dual citizenship, retaining your Brazilian nationality while acquiring Portuguese citizenship.
Dating does not grant eligibility. You must be legally married or in a formally recognized civil partnership validated by a court.
