15 de May, 2026
Portuguese citizenship by length of residency offers a valuable opportunity for those who wish to become Portuguese citizens but do not have ancestors to pass this nationality on to them. In this article, we will explore in detail how to obtain Portuguese citizenship by living in Portugal, highlighting the requirements and benefits associated with it, as well as addressing the most recent amendments to the Nationality Law, approved in 2026, which increased the residency period required for the naturalization of foreign nationals in Portugal from 5 to 10 years.
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.
In 2026, the rules were changed, requiring the applicant to have legally resided in the country for a period of:
Important: the new rules apply only to applications filed after the change in the law. Processes already underway will continue to be reviewed based on the previous legislation, which required a residency period of only 5 years.
According to the new law, the residency period count is to be calculated from the date of issuance of the residence permit and no longer from the date of the application, as was previously the case. This means that the waiting time for the residence permit no longer counts for nationality purposes.
For those who wish to know precisely which period will be considered, the safest approach is to request from AIMA a certificate of residency period count. This is the official document used by the authorities to verify the length of residency in the context of a nationality application.
It is worth noting that, currently, when filing the process, AIMA itself automatically requests this document — meaning the applicant does not need to submit it at the time of the application.
To request the AIMA residency period count certificate online (formerly SEF), it is necessary to fill out the certificate request form in PDF and send it by email to AIMA ([email protected]).
The issued document will indicate the official date considered for nationality purposes.
In addition to the online request, it is also possible to request the SEF/AIMA residency period count certificate in person at any AIMA store. In such cases, it is recommended to file the request at the unit closest to the applicant’s place of residence.
To legally live in Portugal, it is currently necessary to enter the country with a residence visa suited to your purpose. Until June 2024, there was the possibility of regularization through the so-called expression of interest, which allowed those already in the country to apply for a residence permit. However, this pathway was revoked and is no longer available.
There are different types of visas, targeting various audiences. The most popular ones are: retirement visa, visa for remote workers, and student visa.
Learn everything in our complete article about visas for Portugal.
After obtaining your residence permit, you may not be absent from the country for more than 6 consecutive months or 8 non-consecutive months. Should this occur, you may lose the right to maintain your resident status.
And another detail: it is possible to add up periods of legal residency, whether consecutive or non-consecutive, within certain limits: up to 9 years for CPLP/EU citizens and up to 12 years for nationals of other countries.
To qualify for Portuguese nationality based on length of residency, just as with citizenship through marriage, the applicant must have Portuguese communication skills. The required level is basic (A2). After several years living in the country, it is natural that the applicant will already be able to communicate minimally in the local language. See here all the details about the test required for a citizenship application.
Applicants from countries where Portuguese is the official language (CPLP), such as Brazil, do not need to take a language proficiency test.
New cultural test
Furthermore, the 2026 law introduces an integration test, covering topics such as culture, history, the rights and duties of citizens, and the organization of the Portuguese State. The Government is expected to define the details by August.
You can apply for Portuguese citizenship by length of residence at the following locations locations :
The following documents are required to apply for nationality by length of residence:
Applying for Portuguese nationality costs 250 euros. You should also take into account the costs of collecting the documentation, sworn translations and apostilles.
Also read our complete article on how much it costs to obtain Portuguese citizenship.
Although it is very difficult to predict exactly what the waiting time will be, the General Registry Office says that processes can take between 24 and 36 months to complete.
Adopting Portuguese citizenship does not necessarily mean losing your original citizenship. Portuguese law allows citizens to have more than one nationality.
However, it is important to check the laws of your country of origin regarding dual citizenship. Some nations may have regulations that could result in you losing your citizenship if you acquire another one. It is important to check the citizenship laws of your home country to make sure there are no conflicts.
At the end of the process of obtaining citizenship by length of residence, you will receive a letter at home confirming that your nationality has been granted. It will contain your Portuguese birth certificate number.
With this number in hand, you can apply for your Portuguese birth certificate at the Civil Registry. You can also go on to apply for other documents, such as the citizen’s card and portuguese passport.
The citizen’s card can be requested at Lojas do Cidadão (Citizen’s Shops) or at a service counter of the Instituto dos Registos e do Notariado (IRN). The card costs 18€ and is valid for 5 years for people under 25 and 10 years for people over 25.
Once you have obtained your citizen’s card, you can also apply for a Portuguese passport. You can apply for this at the Conservatoria, Lojas do Cidadão, Lojas do Passaporte (at Lisbon airport and Porto airport) or at the Portuguese Consulates. The passport is valid for 5 years, costs 65€ and is usually delivered within 5 working days.
Atlantic Bridge is ready to support you in obtaining your Portuguese citizenship, whatever the modality. Our experienced specialists are ready to provide personalized guidance and comprehensive support. Visit our website for more information.
Apply for your portuguese citizenship with support of an expert!
Author:
Atlantic Bridge
