Maksym Stepanenko
Managing Partner, Crystal Tax
International client projects since 2012: company structures, tax, immigration, DUNS and NCAGE. 50+ jurisdictions.
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Portugal – it is a country with a warm climate and good European living conditions. Becoming its citizen, you can work anywhere in the European Union. You can also do business, travel around the EU, study and enjoy other benefits without obstacles. If you are interested in the mechanism, how to obtain Portuguese citizenship, then Crystal Tax has prepared detailed instructions on this issue.
All the ways to get citizenship in Portugal
This European state offers several ways to obtain citizenship. Consider the features of each option:
- Entering into an official marriage with a current citizen. According to the laws, spouses receive a local passport if they have been married for 3 years. You confirm the connection in marriage and with the community, and it is not necessary to live in the country itself all these years. Additionally, you need to prepare proof of ownership of property or work.
- Kinship with the Portuguese. It is also possible to get citizenship in Portugal by origin. Confirm your family relationship at the documentary level and you can officially fill out the registration form here.
- Legal residence for more than 5 years. This method of obtaining a passport is called citizenship by naturalization. We will talk about it in more detail, since this option is more suitable for people who want to officially move and live, but do not have family ties.
Basic language proficiency is important for every method. Also, in most cases, it is necessary to collect a package of relevant documents with their translation into Portuguese. Basically, these are various certificates of marriage, birth, certificates of first citizenship, and no criminal record.
How to get Portuguese citizenship through a residence permit
The third method to get – it's naturalization. That is, through residence in the country. To do this, go through the following steps:
- Get a visa and come to Portugal.
- Finish and regularly renew a residence permit. A residence permit gives temporarily more rights – allowed to live in the country for more days than on a visa. You can also buy any property here and run your own business. The first time a residence permit is given for 1 year, and its further terms – for 2 years. It is necessary to renew in a timely manner.
- Get permanent residence. This status is given after 5 years of living in the country. It also has many opportunities for permanent living, with the exception of civil service work and participation in elections.
Permit and permanent residence are issued for certain purposes – whether it's studying, starting a startup, or working for a local company.
After these steps, you can apply to acquire Portuguese citizenship. Submit along with the application:
- copy of residence permit;
- Personal Documents – passport, birth certificates;
- Certificate of passing a language proficiency exam;
- certificates of good conduct in the country of origin and local issue;
- A bank statement or monthly income showing at least the living wage.
Crystal Tax law firm helps in the preparation of documentation for obtaining citizenship in Portugal. Call us, we will advise you in detail, taking into account your situation and details.
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