--- title: Immigration Diligence | Portugal Citizenship by Descent --- [Skip to content](https://immigrationdiligence.com/descent/portugal#main-content) [![Immigration Diligence](https://immigrationdiligence.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Wordmark%20Logo%20with%20Abstract%20Globe.png?width=1024&height=1024&name=Wordmark%20Logo%20with%20Abstract%20Globe.png)Homepage](https://immigrationdiligence.com?hsLang=en) - [By Investment](https://immigrationdiligence.com/investment?hsLang=en) - [Portugal](https://immigrationdiligence.com/invest/portugal?hsLang=en) - [Greece](https://immigrationdiligence.com/invest/greece?hsLang=en) - [Italy](https://immigrationdiligence.com/invest/italy?hsLang=en) - [Latvia](https://immigrationdiligence.com/invest/latvia?hsLang=en) - [Rest of World/Custom Solutions](https://immigrationdiligence.com/invest/restofworld?hsLang=en) - [By Descent](https://immigrationdiligence.com/descent?hsLang=en) - [Italy](https://immigrationdiligence.com/descent/italy?hsLang=en) - [Ireland](https://immigrationdiligence.com/descent/ireland?hsLang=en) - [Poland](https://immigrationdiligence.com/descent/poland?hsLang=en) - [Portugal](https://immigrationdiligence.com/descent/portugal) - [Greece](https://immigrationdiligence.com/descent/greece?hsLang=en) - [Other Countries/Need Help Determining](https://immigrationdiligence.com/descent/restofworld?hsLang=en) - [Blog](https://immigrationdiligence.com/blog?hsLang=en) - [About](https://immigrationdiligence.com/about?hsLang=en) - [Contact Us](https://immigrationdiligence.com/contact-us?hsLang=en) [Book a Consultation](https://immigrationdiligence.com/contact-us?hsLang=en) - [By Investment](https://immigrationdiligence.com/investment?hsLang=en) - [Portugal](https://immigrationdiligence.com/invest/portugal?hsLang=en) - [Greece](https://immigrationdiligence.com/invest/greece?hsLang=en) - [Italy](https://immigrationdiligence.com/invest/italy?hsLang=en) - [Latvia](https://immigrationdiligence.com/invest/latvia?hsLang=en) - [Rest of World/Custom Solutions](https://immigrationdiligence.com/invest/restofworld?hsLang=en) - [By Descent](https://immigrationdiligence.com/descent?hsLang=en) - [Italy](https://immigrationdiligence.com/descent/italy?hsLang=en) - [Ireland](https://immigrationdiligence.com/descent/ireland?hsLang=en) - [Poland](https://immigrationdiligence.com/descent/poland?hsLang=en) - [Portugal](https://immigrationdiligence.com/descent/portugal) - [Greece](https://immigrationdiligence.com/descent/greece?hsLang=en) - [Other Countries/Need Help Determining](https://immigrationdiligence.com/descent/restofworld?hsLang=en) - [Blog](https://immigrationdiligence.com/blog?hsLang=en) - [About](https://immigrationdiligence.com/about?hsLang=en) - [Contact Us](https://immigrationdiligence.com/contact-us?hsLang=en) [Book a Consultation](https://immigrationdiligence.com/contact-us?hsLang=en) # Portugal Citizenship By Descent Portugal provides a clear route to citizenship by descent, especially for individuals with a Portuguese parent or grandparent. While grandparental lineage necessitates language proficiency and a proven connection to Portugal, there is no language requirement if your parent was Portuguese at the time of birth. The country has moderate requirements and processing times for citizenship by descent and is a popular destination for American tourists year-round. An important condition is that the individual in the succession line of Portuguese citizenship has not lost his or her citizenship. ## Citizenship By Ancestry Eligibility Individuals are eligible for Portuguese citizenship by descent if they have a parent or grandparent who is/was a Portuguese citizen and has not given up their Portuguese citizenship. Our services ## Impactful marketing solutions for business ### Content Creation Stand out with our captivating content creation services, tailored to engage today's digital audience ### Marketing Analytics Our platform empowers informed decision-making, tracking campaign performance, and ROI ### Journey Optimization Use customer data to deliver personalized messaging and content, enhancing engagement ### Application May Include: Main applicant, his/her children, and siblings. ### Application Processing Time: Generally 1-2 years ### Documentation Requirement: Applicants must provide a chain of vital records (birth, marriage, and death certificates) linking the applicant to the Portuguese ancestor. ### Language Requirement: A basic knowledge of Portuguese and a strong connection with the country are typically required. ## Everything You Need to Know about Portugal Thinking about relocating to Portugal? We have a full breakdown of what moving to and living in Portugal is like. Keep in mind, your Portuguese citizenship will give you access to the whole Schengen zone. [Read Our Guide: Life in Portugal](https://immigrationdiligence.com/blog/about-portugal?hsLang=en) ![A modern, high-quality image howing a young American family standing at an airport with a suitcase, gazing at a large departures board listing destinations like Portugal, italy, greece, Costa Rica, and Canada. The backgro](https://immigrationdiligence.com/hs-fs/hubfs/A%20modern%2c%20high-quality%20image%20howing%20a%20young%20American%20family%20standing%20at%20an%20airport%20with%20a%20suitcase%2c%20gazing%20at%20a%20large%20departures%20board%20listing%20destinations%20like%20Portugal%2c%20italy%2c%20greece%2c%20Costa%20Rica%2c%20and%20Canada.%20The%20backgro.jpg?width=885&height=500&name=A%20modern%2c%20high-quality%20image%20howing%20a%20young%20American%20family%20standing%20at%20an%20airport%20with%20a%20suitcase%2c%20gazing%20at%20a%20large%20departures%20board%20listing%20destinations%20like%20Portugal%2c%20italy%2c%20greece%2c%20Costa%20Rica%2c%20and%20Canada.%20The%20backgro.jpg "A modern, high-quality image howing a young American family standing at an airport with a suitcase, gazing at a large departures board listing destinations like Portugal, italy, greece, Costa Rica, and Canada. The backgro") Who all can be included Extend your benefits to your spouse, dependent children, and dependent parents. Residency Requirement The Portuguese golden visa residency requirement is very flexible, making it an attractive investment migration option for Americans. You can maintain your residency with just an average of seven days per year in Portugal. When some countries require investors to stay in the country at least six months per year, Portugal only requires seven days. This allows you to maintain your current lifestyle in the United States while fulfilling the golden visa requirements and working towards citizenship by essentially taking a week-long vacation to Portugal once a year! Citizenship Requirement After five years of legal “residency” under the golden visa program, applicants may apply for Portuguese citizenship or permanent residency. To qualify for citizenship, in addition to fulfilling the five years of investment, applicants must also learn basic Portuguese to an A2 level. However, in lieu of a language test, applicants may also attend 150 hours of virtual Portuguese language lessons from a government-approved language school. Upon completion of the 150 hours, the applicant is considered to have satisfied the language requirement. The Portuguese citizenship by descent process has a reputation for being bureaucratic. Our team of experts at Immigration Diligence is here to make the process as smooth as possible for you. Our team in the U.S. and partners in Lisbon will ensure your case gets the attention it deserves. The best time to begin your Portuguese citizenship by descent inquiry was **yesterday.** The second best time is **today**. # Related Blogs ###### [![Navigating Rising U.S. Autarky: How Investment Migration and Geoarbitrage Offer Strategic Hedging Opportunities](https://immigrationdiligence.com/hubfs/signal-2026-05-18-220551.jpeg) 18.05.2026 Navigating Rising U.S. Autarky: How Investment Migration and Geoarbitrage Offer Strategic Hedging Opportunities](https://immigrationdiligence.com/blog/navigating-rising-u.s.-autarky-how-investment-migration-and-geoarbitrage-offer-strategic-hedging-opportunities-1?hsLang=en) ###### [![The Rise of the Expat Dream: Why Young Americans Are Moving Abroad](https://immigrationdiligence.com/hubfs/The%20Rise%20of%20the%20Expat%20Dream%20Why%20More%20Young%20Americans%20Are%20Looking%20Beyond%20the%20U.S..png) 25.02.2026 The Rise of the Expat Dream: Why Young Americans Are Moving Abroad](https://immigrationdiligence.com/blog/the-rise-of-the-expat-dream-why-young-americans-are-moving-abroad?hsLang=en) ###### [![The American's Guide to the Greece Golden Visa Process](https://immigrationdiligence.com/hubfs/The%20Americans%20Guide%20to%20the%20Greece%20Golden%20Visa%20Process.jpeg) 03.09.2025 The American's Guide to the Greece Golden Visa Process](https://immigrationdiligence.com/blog/greece-golden-visa-process?hsLang=en) ![An American family standing happily in front of a large, beautiful European-style home with stone walls, big windows, and a garden. Realistic photography, soft warm lighting, lifestyle magazine feel, no text.](https://immigrationdiligence.com/hs-fs/hubfs/An%20American%20family%20standing%20happily%20in%20front%20of%20a%20large%2c%20beautiful%20European-style%20home%20with%20stone%20walls%2c%20big%20windows%2c%20and%20a%20garden.%20Realistic%20photography%2c%20soft%20warm%20lighting%2c%20lifestyle%20magazine%20feel%2c%20no%20text..jpg?width=500&height=283&name=An%20American%20family%20standing%20happily%20in%20front%20of%20a%20large%2c%20beautiful%20European-style%20home%20with%20stone%20walls%2c%20big%20windows%2c%20and%20a%20garden.%20Realistic%20photography%2c%20soft%20warm%20lighting%2c%20lifestyle%20magazine%20feel%2c%20no%20text..jpg "An American family standing happily in front of a large, beautiful European-style home with stone walls, big windows, and a garden. Realistic photography, soft warm lighting, lifestyle magazine feel, no text.") ### Are you ready to reestablish your connection to the country of your ancestors? We simplify the complex Portugal citizenship by descent process, giving your case expert attention from our U.S. team and partners. Book a free consultation to start the journey to your Ireland passport. 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