13 de June, 2025
The cost of applying for Portuguese citizenship is one of the first things applicants want to understand before starting the process. While there isn’t a single fixed price, the total amount varies depending on the type of application (descent, marriage, or residence), the applicant’s age, country of residence, and other personal factors.
In this article, we’ll break down the main steps that may generate expenses — including document requests, legalizations, certified translations, and government fees. We’ll also provide average cost estimates to help you understand how much applying for Portuguese citizenship might cost and how to prepare financially.
*Prices updated in June 2025.
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The costs associated with the Portuguese citizenship process may vary depending on the type of application. Note that some amounts are listed in Brazilian reais and others in euros. In general, these costs involve the following services:
For those applying for Portuguese citizenship by descent, the first step is document research — in other words, locating the records of direct ancestors to prove the family connection with the Portuguese forebear.
These documents may include birth, marriage, baptism, and death certificates, which may be filed in registries in Brazil, Portugal, or even other countries, depending on the family’s migration history.
The number of required certificates varies depending on the degree of kinship with the Portuguese citizen and the type of process. Some examples:
In Portuguese citizenship processes, all documents issued in a foreign language must be translated into Portuguese. However, sworn translations are not mandatory — a simple translation is usually sufficient, as long as it includes proper certification, when required.
Practical example:
In a citizenship application by marriage, if the marriage occurred in the United States, the following documents must be translated into Portuguese:
For Portuguese citizenship applications, the applicant must legalize or apostille certificates to ensure their legal validity in Portugal. This step is mandatory and depends on the country where the documents were issued.
If the document was issued in a country that is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention (such as Brazil or the United States), the applicant must obtain a Hague Apostille to validate the document internationally. This applies to birth, marriage, and death certificates, among others.
A Brazilian or American applying for citizenship as a child or grandchild of a Portuguese citizen must present an apostilled second copy of their birth certificate.
⚠️ Note: Documents issued in Brazil — except for identification documents — can only be apostilled in Brazil. Examples include birth, marriage, and death certificates.
If the country is not a signatory to the Hague Apostille Convention (e.g., Canada, China), apostilles are not applicable. In that case, documents must be:
Marriage transcription is a mandatory step in several types of Portuguese citizenship processes. It consists of registering in Portugal a marriage that took place abroad.
This is necessary in two main situations:
In cases of divorce or adoption that occurred outside Portugal, a process of Reconhecimento de Sentença Estrangeira (Recognition of Foreign Judgment) is required for the ruling to be valid in Portugal. Once recognized, a corresponding annotation is made in the Portuguese civil registry.
Once transcription or recognition of foreign judgment is complete, the marriage is officially noted on the Portuguese citizen’s birth record — a process known in Portugal as averbação, which does not incur any additional cost.
When someone asks how much it costs to get Portuguese citizenship, they’re usually referring to the government application fees. These fees are paid directly to the Portuguese government and vary by application type.
Many applicants choose to hire specialized consultancy services to assist with the process, review documents, and ensure everything is done correctly. This helps avoid mistakes and saves time and money on unnecessary procedures.
Let’s consider the example of a grandchild of a Portuguese citizen, whose father (the Portuguese citizen’s child) married in Brazil and the entire family resides in the country. Here are the average estimated costs for this profile:
| Step / Service | Estimated Cost (in euros) |
|---|---|
| Document search (if needed) | €1,000 (not always required) |
| Issuing Brazilian and Portuguese certificates | €30 per certificate x 5 = €150 |
| Simple translations (if needed) | €15 per document (not required for Brazilians) |
| Hague Apostille | €15 per document x 5 = €75 |
| Marriage transcription | €120 x 2 = €240 |
| Civil Registry fee (adult grandchild process) | €175 |
| Specialized legal consultancy (optional) | €900 |
| Total Estimated Cost | €2,540 |
As we’ve shown, the costs to obtain Portuguese citizenship can vary greatly. In many cases, they are lower than expected. Applicants who already possess some of the required documents, direct descendants (such as children), or Brazilians who do not need translations, for instance, may have a simpler and more affordable process. Legal consultancy is very helpful in ensuring security and efficiency but is not mandatory. We also have a detailed article explaining whether it’s necessary to hire legal consultancy services for portuguese nationality application and the benefits of working with a professional.
Additionally, depending on the number of people involved (such as in family applications), costs can be shared, making the investment more affordable.
And it’s important to remember: obtaining Portuguese citizenship is more than a bureaucratic procedure — it’s a strategic decision. In short, in an increasingly globalized world, dual citizenship represents mobility, security, and new opportunities for you and future generations.
If you’d like to know exactly what is required in your case and receive a personalized quote, get in touch with Atlantic Bridge. Our team offers a free initial consultation — just fill out our form and take the first step with the right guidance.
Realizing your goal of living in Europe or obtaining European citizenship can be simpler than you think. We offer personalized support to make the immigration process more accessible and uncomplicated.
Author:
Silvia Resende
