Portuguese Citizenship By Marriage or Civil Union
APPLYING FOR PORTUGAL CITIZENSHIP THROUGH MARRIAGE
If you are married to a Portuguese citizen, you’ll likely want to become one yourself. At the very least, you might be curious about the rules and eligibility requirements for that path, should you want to take it someday.
The good news is that Portugal citizenship by marriage offers some of the most lenient rules in Europe—you don’t even need to be legally married! You’ll get to unite your family under a single nationality and enjoy the benefits of being a Portuguese citizen!
No matter what nation we work in, marriage is always a leading reason people want to gain citizenship in a new country. This is a very popular route for our clients, and for that reason, PDC has plenty of experience helping couples come together in this way.
This guide explains how to become eligible and how to apply. But if you’d like to talk to an expert right away, there’s no reason to wait. You can schedule a FREE call with a member of the PDC team right now.

What is Portuguese Citizenship Through Marriage?
Like almost every country on the planet, Portugal offers a unique pathway to citizenship for people who have married a citizen. Essentially, it removes the residency time requirements for naturalization.
Naturalization in Portugal requires 5 years of time spent in permanent resident status in the country. But if you are married to a Portuguese citizen for 3 years, that time goes away. And in the meantime, being married is an easy way to qualify for permanent residency. So you can generally move to Portugal hassle-free right away.
However, unlike almost every country on the planet, Portugal doesn’t actually require you to be legally married. They’ll allow this path for what are called de facto unions—couples who are deeply committed but just haven’t officially tied the knot.
The only drawback for de facto unions? Proving the depth of the relationship and getting permanent residency status. These are far from insurmountable. You’ll typically need evidence that you and your partner live together (shared bills, co-signed lease agreements, and similar documents should work).
As for how to get your residency status if you aren’t married, check out all the different Portuguese visas you might qualify for here. These include ones for digital nomads, entrepreneurs (D2), retirees (D7), investors (Golden Visa), students, and more.
Portuguese Citizenship by Marriage Eligibility
To be eligible for citizenship this way, you’ll need:
- To have been married to a Portuguese citizen for 3 years or in a de facto union with a Portuguese citizen for 3 years
- If in a de facto union, you’ll need to have lived together for at least 3 years, though not necessarily in Portugal
- Be able to prove basic proficiency in the Portuguese language (A2 level)
- Have a clean criminal record
- Have a health certificate showing you have no serious communicable diseases
- Shoes that you have community ties to Portugal
Documents Needed for Portuguese Citizenship by Marriage
The documentation is very similar to naturalization, with the additional proof of your marriage or de facto union.
- Birth certificate or other valid, current ID (like passport)
- Marriage certificate from at least 3 years ago or evidence of living together in a de facto union for at least 3 years
- Criminal record
- Health record
- Language exam results from Certificado Inicial de Português Língua Estrangeira (CIPLE)
- Proof of Portuguese ties (like organization membership, investment records, etc.)
- Proof that you paid all necessary fees
For more details on documentation for applying to Portuguese citizenship, check out our full guide here.
How to Apply for Portuguese Nationality Through Marriage
As with the documentation, the application process is very similar to naturalization:
- Gather documents
- Apply using the Model 3 form
- To apply online, you’ll need a lawyer or solicitor to log onto NacionalidadeOnline
- To apply in person, go to a CNAIM or Registry office (if you live in Portugal) or a Portugal Consulate or embassy in your area (if you live abroad)
- To apply by mail, fill out your application and send all necessary documents to Conservatória dos Registos Centrais, Rua Rodrigo da Fonseca, 202, 1099-033 Lisbon (getting a professional to work with you for mail-in applications is HIGHLY recommended)
- Pay the €250 application fee
- Wait for processing (6 to 24 months)
Need more information on how to apply for Portuguese citizenship? Check out our guide here.
Joining Your Family in Portugal
Portuguese citizenship by marriage makes it possible to bring your union under a single nationality. For that reason, it’s one of our favorite paths for clients because it is so full of hope and joy.
So don’t let the stress of the application process take away that joy from you! Let PDC take care of the details and make sure everything is 100% perfect—that way, you can relax and spend time in your new home with your spouse or live-in partner.
To begin that stress-free journey, book a free call with us today. We can take a look at your situation and give you advice on next steps, and if you’d like our ongoing support, we can put together a bespoke plan that fits your exact situation.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I live in Portugal if I am married to a Portuguese person?
Yes! You do not have to wait for citizenship to begin living with your spouse in Portugal. It’s very easy to get a residency permit in this situation, so you’ll begin to gain many of the advantages of citizenship right away. But, of course, all the benefits will have to wait for your official naturalization.
How do you get Portuguese citizenship by marriage?
Essentially, it only takes being married (or living together in a de facto union) for 3 years with a Portuguese partner. Then, you’ll qualify. Simply apply and provide the proper documentation.