Assessoria de Cidadania Europeia e Vistos para Portugal

Portuguese Citizenship Through Marriage or Civil Partnership | Start! Be Global

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.

A Right by Acquisition

Share the same nationality

A nacionalidade portuguesa para cônjuges é um processo de Aquisição de Nacionalidade. Isso significa que, ao cumprir os requisitos de tempo e ligação com a comunidade, você pode solicitar a sua Cidadania Portuguesa pelo Casamento, prevista na Lei da Nacionalidade.

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.

Who Is Eligible? (Key Requirements)

Understand the rules on time and connection

A lei portuguesa exige um tempo mínimo de relacionamento e a comprovação de laços com a comunidade nacional. A Lei da Nacionalidade determina os critérios para a nacionalidade portuguesa para cônjuge, que variam conforme o tempo de casamento e a existência de filhos portugueses.

Cenário 1

Married for More Than 3 Years (With 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.

Cenário 2

Married for More Than 6 Years (Without Portuguese Children)

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.

Após este período, a ligação efetiva também passa a ser presumida, facilitando o processo de aquisição da nacionalidade portuguesa pelo casamento.

Cenário 3

Civil Partnership

Portugal reconhece a União Estável (chamada lá de União de Facto). Porém, é necessário primeiro homologar (validar) a sentença ou escritura de união estável brasileira em um tribunal português antes de pedir a nacionalidade. Esse é o caminho para a cidadania portuguesa por união estável, desde que o vínculo esteja devidamente homologado.

The Essential Step: Marriage Registration

Before applying, your civil status must be updated

Under Portuguese law, a Portuguese citizen who marries abroad remains legally single in Portugal until the marriage is officially registered there.

Por isso, a etapa obrigatória antes do seu pedido de nacionalidade é a Transcrição de Casamento. Essa etapa é indispensável para a Cidadania Portuguesa pelo Casamento, pois sem esse registro o Estado português não reconhece o vínculo matrimonial para fins de aquisição de nacionalidade portuguesa pelo cônjuge. Nós cuidamos desse processo preliminar, registrando o casamento realizado no Brasil perante as autoridades portuguesas, para que o vínculo fique oficialmente estabelecido.

Our Process: Security for the Couple

Your nationality, guided by specialists

Relationship Assessment

We verify the duration of the marriage or partnership and the existence of children to determine the most advantageous legal framework.

Transcription / Recognition

We complete the marriage transcription or civil partnership recognition in Portugal (an essential preliminary step).

File Preparation & Submission

Organizamos os documentos (certidões, antecedentes criminais, provas de ligação se necessárias) e protocolamos o pedido na Conservatória dos Registos Centrais. Inclui orientação completa sobre os documentos necessários para a cidadania portuguesa pelo casamento.

Process Monitoring

We track the application through to final approval and the issuance of your Portuguese birth record by naturalization.

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Celebrate your union with Portuguese Citizenship by Marriage.

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.

FAQ - About Us

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Will I lose my Brazilian citizenship?

    No. You will hold dual citizenship, retaining your Brazilian nationality while acquiring Portuguese citizenship.

  • What if we are only dating?

    Dating does not grant eligibility. You must be legally married or in a formally recognized civil partnership validated by a court.

  • Do I need to live in Portugal to apply for citizenship through marriage?

    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.

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