Becoming Portuguese Through Love: Nationality by Marriage or Civil Union
Nationality by Marriage or Civil Union
Falling in love with someone Portuguese might just lead to something more than saudade and bacalhau – it might open the door to becoming a Portuguese citizen yourself. If you are married to a Portuguese national or living with one in a legally recognized civil union (união de facto), you may be entitled to acquire Portuguese nationality by declaration.
This path is one of the most common ways people acquire Portuguese nationality, but it’s important to understand that it’s not automatic – and that there are legal steps that must be carefully followed.
First Things First: Is Your Marriage Recognized in Portugal?
Before anything else, you’ll need to ensure that your marriage is officially registered in Portugal. Even if you’re already legally married in another country, that marriage must be recognized by the Portuguese civil registry before any nationality application can be submitted.
This registration is not a formality – it’s a mandatory first step. Without it, the Portuguese authorities cannot consider your request for nationality, even if you’ve been married for decades.
Registering a foreign marriage in Portugal typically requires submitting your foreign marriage certificate, properly legalized or apostilled and translated into Portuguese, along with both partners’ identification. Once submitted, the process can take anywhere from 1 to 4 months, depending on the Conservatória handling the registration.
So, if your marriage isn’t registered yet – that’s where we begin.
The Path to Nationality: What the Law Says
According to Article 3 of the Portuguese Nationality Law (Lei n.º 37/81), a person who has been married to a Portuguese citizen for at least three years may acquire Portuguese nationality by declaration. The same applies to those in a civil union, provided the union is legally recognized in Portugal through a court decision.
But not everyone qualifies right away. The law includes several conditions, and in some cases, Portuguese authorities may oppose the acquisition of nationality. For instance, if the applicant has a serious criminal record or if there is a threat to national security or public order, the request can be denied.
What About Connection to Portugal?
The law also refers to the applicant’s “effective connection to the Portuguese community.” But what does that mean?
If you’ve been married (or in a union) for more than six years, or if you and your Portuguese partner have children together, you’re considered automatically exempt from proving this connection.
Otherwise, you may be asked to demonstrate ties to Portugal, which can include:
- Speaking Portuguese;
- Living in Portugal;
- Owning property or paying taxes in Portugal;
- Visiting the country regularly;
- Participating in the Portuguese community abroad
This requirement isn’t always strictly enforced, but it’s wise to prepare for it if you fall within the shorter marriage duration (three to six years) and have no children.
The Paper Trail: Documents You’ll Need
Applying for nationality through marriage or civil union involves gathering a detailed set of documents. These include:
- Your birth certificate (full version, legalized and translated);
- Your partner’s Portuguese birth certificate;
- Proof that your marriage is registered in Portugal or that your union is recognized by a Portuguese court;
- Valid identification documents (passports, ID cards);
- Criminal record certificates from every country where you’ve lived since the age of 16;
- A signed declaration of will to become Portuguese;
- And possibly, evidence of your connection to Portugal.
Important note on foreign documents:
All foreign documents — such as birth or criminal record certificates — must be:
- Issued within the last 6 months;
- Translated into Portuguese by a certified translator, if not originally in Portuguese;
- Apostilled under the Hague Convention (Apostila de Haia) or, where applicable, legalized by the relevant Portuguese consulate.
Submitting outdated or improperly legalized documents is one of the most common reasons applications are delayed or rejected — so it’s crucial to get this right from the beginning.
How Long Will It Take?
Patience is key. Once your application is complete and submitted, it can take 9 to 18 months for a decision to be issued. If your marriage hasn’t been registered yet, add another 1 to 4 months for that preliminary step.
You can submit your application through the Portuguese Central Registry Office (Conservatória dos Registos Centrais) in Lisbon or through a Portuguese consulate in your country of residence.
A Note on Language Requirements
One great advantage of this path is that, unlike some other routes to Portuguese nationality, you are not required to pass a Portuguese language exam. However, speaking the language can certainly help if you need to demonstrate integration into the Portuguese community.
So, What Happens Next?
If you’re ready to take the next step – whether that’s registering your marriage, assessing your eligibility, or preparing your nationality application – Step Inside Legal is here to help. We handle both the legal and bureaucratic sides of the process with clarity, care, and attention to detail.
From reviewing your documents to liaising with the Conservatória, we offer full support tailored to your relationship and background.
Reach out to us today — and let us walk with you on the path to becoming Portuguese.
Email us at info@stepinsidelegal.com
Or book a consultation directly to speak with one of our corporate law specialists.
