Portuguese citizenship in 2026: how to get it
Since 19 May 2026 a passport requires 10 years of living in the country instead of 5, and the wait for a residence card no longer counts. We cover the routes to citizenship, marriage, the fee and dual citizenship.
In short
- Since 19 May 2026 naturalisation requires 10 years in the country, 7 for citizens of the EU and Portuguese-speaking countries.
- The period counts from the first residence card; the wait does not count.
- Spouses of Portuguese citizens can apply after 3 years of marriage.
- The fee is about $285, and the Russian passport can be kept.
In detail
Portugal is no longer the fastest route to an EU passport. Since 19 May 2026 naturalisation requires 10 years of legal residence instead of the former 5, and 7 years for citizens of the EU and Portuguese-speaking countries. Applications filed before that date are decided under the old rules. One piece of good news remains: you still do not have to give up your Russian passport.
How to get Portuguese citizenship in 2026
| Route | Main condition | For whom |
|---|---|---|
| Naturalisation | 10 years of legal residence, Portuguese language, knowledge of history and citizens' rights | all foreigners with a residence permit |
| Naturalisation of EU and Portuguese-speaking country citizens | 7 years of legal residence | citizens of Brazil, Angola, EU countries and others |
| Marriage or de facto union | 3 years of marriage or a court-recognised union | spouses and partners of Portuguese citizens |
The period counts from the issue of the first residence card. The wait for the card, which in Portugal often stretches to a year or more, no longer counts. So every month in the migration agency queue also pushes back the passport.
Besides residence, the law requires sufficient Portuguese, knowledge of the culture, history and national symbols, of citizens' rights and duties, the ability to support yourself and no serious criminal record. The candidate signs a declaration of adherence to democratic principles.
Portuguese citizenship through marriage
The spouse of a Portuguese citizen applies after 3 years of marriage, a partner after 3 years of a court-recognised de facto union. Living in Portugal is not required, but a connection to the country must be shown.
If the marriage has lasted more than 6 years or the couple has children with Portuguese citizenship, the connection is presumed and hardly needs proving.
Children born in Portugal to foreign parents become citizens by birth only if the parents meet the conditions on years of residence, while children of Portuguese citizens are citizens by descent.
How much Portuguese citizenship costs
The government fee for a naturalisation application is €250, about $285. It is paid at the registry and notary office on filing. Apostilles and translations of Russian documents, a criminal record certificate and a Portuguese language certificate are paid separately.
The main cost here is not the fee but time. Ten years of living in the country means a residence permit, rent, insurance and resident taxes for the whole period. Taxes are covered on the page taxes in Portugal.
The fee is $285, but every month without a card pushes back the passport
The law does not forbid applying for Portuguese citizenship on your own. But mistakes cost more than the fee: a miscalculated period that counts the years of waiting for a card, gaps in residence, a Portuguese certificate in the wrong format, documents without an apostille and translation. We count your period from the card issue dates, check which rules apply to your application, prepare the documents and see the case through to a decision.
The cost of support depends on the route and your family; a manager will calculate it in the chat.
Dual citizenship and what the passport gives
Portugal does not require giving up a previous citizenship on naturalisation or marriage. The Russian passport is kept, and the Russian Interior Ministry must be notified of the second citizenship within 60 days. Details are in Portuguese and Russian dual citizenship.
A Portuguese passport is EU citizenship: living, working and studying in any member state without visas or permits. The route to it starts with a residence permit; the options are in how to get a Portuguese residence permit, and card delays are covered in court cases against Portugal's migration agency.
How we help
Portugal nomad visa
Residence for remote work - the first step towards citizenship.
Learn more →Portugal startup visa
Residence for company founders.
Learn more →Taxes in Portugal
Residence, reliefs for new residents and tax returns.
Learn more →We will work out your timeline to a Portuguese passport. Tell us when you received your first residence card and whether you applied before 19 May 2026. We will show which rules apply to you.
FAQ
How many years do you need to live in Portugal for citizenship in 2026?
From when is the period for Portuguese citizenship counted?
Can you get Portuguese citizenship through marriage?
Do you have to give up Russian citizenship?
Don’t want to figure this out alone?
We handle the whole process end to end: we check your documents, match a program to your situation and give you honest timelines and costs. Ask your question in the chat: the free consultation starts right here. Legal representation before authorities and courts is handled by Murblz specialists together with locally licensed partners.
The Murblz consultant replies straight away in the chat on this page. Describe your situation and we will work it out together.
Free consultationPrograms