Portugal Dual Nationality – Citizenship by Descent, Residency, and Golden Visa

Portugal Dual Nationality – What It Means and How to Get It

Portugal dual nationality means you can be a citizen of Portugal and another country at the same time. This is legal in Portugal. If you’re from the USA, UK, Pakistan, or anywhere else, and you qualify, Portugal doesn’t make you give up your original passport.

Now, think about this. Let’s say you’re planning a camping trip across Spain, France, and Italy — but you live in Portugal. With a Portuguese passport, you don’t need to apply for visas or worry about border checks. You can cross freely. That’s the power of having EU citizenship. It’s even better if you also keep your other nationality — whether it’s American, Pakistani, or British.

So, how can you apply for Portugal dual nationality? What’s the process if your parents are Portuguese? What if you’re applying through the Golden Visa or by investment? These questions matter if you’re serious about starting a new life in Portugal or keeping your roots while building a future in Europe.

Let’s break it down.

Can You Use Portugal Dual Nationality for Camping?

Short answer: Yes.

With Portuguese citizenship, you get complete EU freedom of movement. This means you can go camping across 26 Schengen countries with no border hassle. If your second nationality is non-EU (like USA or Pakistan), having dual nationality protects your rights in both countries. You can camp, drive, or even work across the EU and still keep access to your other home country.

How Portugal’s Dual Nationality Works

Portugal follows jus sanguinis (by blood) and jus soli (by birthplace), depending on the situation. If you were born in Portugal or have Portuguese parents or grandparents, you may qualify for citizenship by descent. If you have lived in Portugal legally for 5+ years, you may be eligible for residency.

Portugal allows dual citizenship with almost all countries — including:

• USA
• UK
• Pakistan
• India
• Canada
• Most EU and non-EU nations

So, if you’re from any of these places, you can hold two passports legally. Portugal won’t ask you to give up your original one.

Here are common paths to dual nationality:

• By descent (parents or grandparents are Portuguese)
• By birth (born in Portugal to foreign parents living there legally)
• By residency (live legally for 5+ years)
• By marriage (married to a Portuguese citizen for at least 3 years)
• By investment (Golden Visa)

Each method has different requirements. But in every case, Portugal supports dual status.

How to Get Portuguese Citizenship Through Parents

If your mother or father is Portuguese, you can apply directly for Portuguese dual citizenship by descent. It doesn’t matter where you were born — Portugal allows citizenship to pass through one generation, no problem.

Here’s what you need:

Basic Requirements:

• The parent must be a Portuguese citizen at the time of your birth
• Your birth must be legally registered (either in Portugal or abroad through a consulate)
• You’ll need proof of the parent’s citizenship and your relationship

If your Portuguese parent never registered your birth at the Portuguese consulate, you’ll need to start with a late registration. This step is required before applying for your nationality.

Once that’s done, you can apply through Conservatória dos Registos Centrais (Central Registry Office in Lisbon) or a Portuguese consulate in your country.

Required Documents:

• Your birth certificate (apostilled and translated)
• Parent’s Portuguese birth certificate or passport
• Proof of relationship (your parents’ marriage certificate, if needed)
• Filled application form
• Government fee (~€250)

This process doesn’t take too long. On average, 6 to 12 months if your paperwork is clean.

Once approved, you become a full Portuguese citizen, and you don’t have to give up your original citizenship — whether it’s US, UK, or Pakistani.

Does Portugal Allow Dual Citizenship with the US, UK, and Pakistan?

Portugal Dual Citizenship USA

Yes. Portugal allows dual citizenship with the United States. You can hold both passports legally. The US doesn’t stop you from holding Portuguese citizenship, either. You can vote in both countries and travel freely between them.

Portugal Dual Citizenship with UK

Yes. Even after Brexit, Portugal allows dual nationality with the UK. If you’re a British citizen living in Portugal, you can apply after 5 years of legal residence — and still keep your British passport.

Portugal Dual Citizenship with Pakistan

Yes. Portugal does allow dual nationality with Pakistan. Pakistan also recognizes dual citizenship with certain countries, including Portugal. But you should still check with your local NADRA or Pakistani consulate because rules about holding public office or serving in the army can change depending on your second nationality.

So, no matter your background, Portugal won’t force you to pick just one. You can keep both your old passport and your new Portuguese one.

Portugal Golden Visa and Citizenship by Investment

If you don’t qualify by descent or marriage, another path is through the Portugal Golden Visa. It’s not “free,” but if you’ve got money to invest, it’s a legal and fast route to residency, then dual citizenship.

What is the Portugal Golden Visa?

It’s a residency-by-investment program for non-EU citizens. You invest in Portugal and, in return, get a residence permit. After 5 years, you can apply for full citizenship — while keeping your original passport.

Investment Options (as of 2025):

• €500,000 in a private equity fund
• €250,000 donation to heritage/cultural preservation
• Job creation in Portugal

Note: Real estate is no longer eligible for new applications.

Steps to Citizenship:

1. Apply for a Golden Visa with a valid investment
2. Visit Portugal 7 days/year (minimum stay)
3. After 5 years, apply for permanent residency or citizenship
4. Pass A2 Portuguese language test
5. Keep a clean criminal record

You don’t need to live in Portugal full time; just meet the stay requirement. Once approved, you can hold Portuguese dual nationality without giving up your home passport.

Portugal Citizenship Requirements (for All Methods)

Whether you’re applying through parents, marriage, investment, or residency, here are the standard things you’ll need:

Basic Requirements:

• Legal stay in Portugal (5 years or proof of descent)
• A2-level Portuguese language (basic speaking and writing)
• No criminal record in Portugal or home country
• Proof of income, work, or self-support
• Birth and ID documents (apostilled + translated)
• Application fee (€250–€300)

If you’re applying through marriage, you must be married to a Portuguese citizen for at least 3 years and show a connection to the community (joint tax records, proof of living together, etc.).

If you’re applying through long-term residency, your 5 years must be continuous and legal — with no long gaps or illegal stays.

Conclusion

Portugal dual nationality is one of the easiest and most open systems in Europe. Whether you’re from the US, UK, Pakistan, or anywhere else — Portugal allows dual citizenship with no restrictions.

If your parents or grandparents are Portuguese, the process is even more straightforward. If not, you can go the legal route by residency, marriage, or Golden Visa. After 5 years, you can apply for a second passport — and live, work, travel, or camp across Europe without borders.

No matter your path, Portugal gives you a real chance at a stronger, freer future

FAQs