Parents who are working to secure Portuguese citizenship will naturally ask if their children qualify, too. The short answer is: sometimes yes, sometimes no.
The longer answer depends on when you became Portuguese and how your child’s connection to Portugal is recognized under law.
Portuguese nationality law is generous in many respects. It allows citizenship to be passed to children in most cases, and it has special provisions for adopted children, grandchildren of Portuguese citizens, and families who can prove what is called ligação efetiva—an “effective connection” to Portugal.
In this guide, we’ll walk through how Portuguese citizenship by descent passes to children, what exceptions apply, and what steps you need to take to ensure your family’s future generations are recognized as Portuguese.
Why Citizenship for Children Matters
For children, Portuguese citizenship through ancestry opens doors not just in Portugal but across the entire European Union. Here’s why it matters:
- EU rights: Your child can live, work, and study anywhere in the EU or EEA. A Portuguese passport is effectively an EU passport.
- Education opportunities: With Portuguese nationality, children qualify for local tuition rates at universities in Portugal and across Europe.
- Healthcare: They gain access to Portugal’s national health service, plus reciprocal healthcare arrangements across EU countries.
- Generational security: Once recognized as Portuguese, your child can pass that citizenship on to their own children.
- Global mobility: Portugal has visa-free travel agreements with over 180 countries, making the passport one of the most valuable in the world.
Portuguese citizenship is not only about paperwork. For many families, it’s about keeping a connection to heritage alive and ensuring the next generation has more opportunities than the last.
How Citizenship Passes to Children
Portugal’s Nationality Law (Lei da Nacionalidade, Law no. 37/81) sets the framework for how citizenship is transmitted. The key factor is whether you were already Portuguese at the time of your child’s birth.
If You Were Already Portuguese
If you were Portuguese when your child was born, then your child is also Portuguese by descent. The law is clear: nationality is passed automatically if a parent is Portuguese at the child’s birth.
But there is a catch: the birth must be registered in the Portuguese Civil Registry. Without this registration, the Portuguese state will not formally recognize the child’s nationality, even if the right exists.
Example:
Ana became Portuguese through her father, who was born in Lisbon. When Ana later had a child in United States, she registered the child’s birth with the Portuguese authorities at the local Portuguese Consulate. Once registered, her child was recognized as Portuguese from birth and could apply using the official application form.
This step is often overlooked, but it is crucial. Many parents assume their child’s citizenship is “automatic.” Legally it is, but in practice, recognition requires registration.
If You Became Portuguese Later
If you obtained Portuguese nationality after your child’s birth, the rules change. In this case, your child does not auIf you obtained Portuguese nationality after your child’s birth, the rules change. In this case, your child does not automatically qualify.
Why? Because at the time of their birth, you were not yet Portuguese.
But there are pathways:
- Minors can sometimes be included in your application. Portuguese nationality law gives flexibility for parents who naturalize or are recognized later in life to extend citizenship to their children, provided the children are still minors and the family can show ties to Portugal.
- Adult children must apply independently. Once your child turns 18, they must make their own application. Their eligibility will depend on whether you, as a parent, had already become Portuguese and whether they can demonstrate a connection to Portugal.
This rule often surprises applicants. Someone may fight through the paperwork to prove their right as a grandchild of a Portuguese emigrant, only to find that their children (born before their application) are not automatically included. It is important to plan ahead so you can apply while your children are still minors if possible.
Adopted Children
Adopted children under 18 are treated the same as biological children once the adoption is recognized under Portuguese law. That means if you are Portuguese at the time of adoption, your adopted child will also be considered Portuguese.
The adoption must be formally recognized in Portugal, which usually means a Portuguese court or civil registry acknowledgment of the foreign adoption judgment. Once recognized, nationality follows the same rules as for biological children.
The Role of Ligação Efetiva (“Effective Ties”)
One of the most important concepts in Portuguese nationality law is ligação efetiva (literally, “effective ties.”)
This requirement mostly affects grandchildren of Portuguese citizens and their children. When a grandchild applies for nationality, they must prove some ongoing link to Portugal beyond ancestry. If they succeed, they become Portuguese. But what about their children?
The answer: their children may also qualify, but only if the family can demonstrate that those effective ties continue.
Examples of what may count as effective ties include:
- Attendance at Portuguese schools or cultural centers abroad.
- Regular travel to Portugal.
- Membership in Portuguese community organizations.
- Proficiency in the Portuguese language.
Without such ties, the application for Portuguese citizenship may be refused. This is where families sometimes encounter challenges: the parent qualifies as a grandchild, but the child, born and raised abroad, may need additional proof of cultural or social connection.
Application Path for Children
If you are planning to apply for Portuguese citizenship for your child, here are the typical steps:
- Confirm your own status. Were you Portuguese at the time of your child’s birth? If yes, your child qualifies automatically (once registered). If no, the route depends on whether they are still a minor and how ties are established.
- Register their birth. If your child was born outside Portugal, you must register the birth in the Portuguese Civil Registry (either in Portugal or at a consulate abroad). This is the step that turns the “automatic right” into recognized nationality.
- Prepare supporting documents. These often include the parents’ Portuguese citizenship documents, the child’s foreign birth certificate, passports or IDs, and proof of ties to Portugal if required.
- Submit the application. Applications can be filed at the Portuguese Civil Registry office in Portugal or at a Portuguese consulate abroad.
- Apply for a passport. Once nationality is recognized, your child is entitled to a Portuguese passport and all rights of EU citizenship.
FAQs
Do adopted children qualify for Portuguese citizenship?
Yes, if the adoption is legally recognized under Portuguese law and the child is under 18.
Do my children need to prove ties to Portugal?
If you were Portuguese at the time of their birth, no.
If you became Portuguese later, the burden is higher, especially for children applying as adults. You’ll need to be able to prove “effective ties” to Portugal.
What if my child was born before I applied?
They may not automatically qualify. Options exist for minors to be included, or for older children to apply independently, but proof of effective ties is often required.
Is there a deadline?
There is no strict deadline, but acting while your child is still a minor simplifies the process significantly.
Important Note
Children’s applications for Portuguese citizenship depend heavily on two factors:
- Timing: Whether you were Portuguese at the time of their birth.
- Ties: How clearly the child’s connection to Portugal can be demonstrated.
Because these cases vary, it is wise to seek guidance before starting. A professional can confirm eligibility, help gather the correct documents, and ensure you don’t lose time with incomplete applications.
Citizenship.eu connects you to a trusted professional as a part of our service packages. To determine your eligibility and start your next steps, sign up here.
In Conclusion
So, can your child get Portuguese citizenship by ancestry? The answer depends on your own timing and status.
- If you were Portuguese at the time of birth: Yes. Recognition is automatic once you register their birth.
- If you became Portuguese later: Minors may sometimes be included, but adults must apply independently and may need to show effective ties.
- If your child is adopted: Yes, as long as the adoption is recognized in Portugal.
For families with Portuguese roots, this means your children can share in the same opportunities—living, studying, and building their future in Portugal and across the EU. But the process requires careful documentation and, in some cases, proof of connection.
Practical tip:
Don’t wait until your children are adults to apply for Portuguese citizenship. The rules are simpler for minors, and recognition while they are young ensures the right to citizenship continues for future generations.
If you are considering applying for your child, we recommend starting with our full-service package and consulting with a trusted expert. With the right steps, Portuguese citizenship can become a legacy for your family — one that passes from you to your children, and onward to theirs.
Sources
- Lei da Nacionalidade (Law no. 37/81, with amendments): Establishes rules for citizenship by birth, descent, adoption, and naturalization.
Official text (Portuguese) – DRE.pt - Decree-Law no. 71/2017: Clarified eligibility for grandchildren of Portuguese citizens, requiring proof of ligação efetiva.
DRE.pt – Decreto-Lei 71/2017 - Recent amendments (2020–2022): Streamlined nationality by descent and reduced residence requirements for Lusophone nationals.
Law no. 2/2020 – Budget amendments to Nationality Law - Portuguese Government – Nationality Portal: Official page on how to apply for nationality, including categories of descent, effective ties, and required documents.
justica.gov.pt – Nationality - Instituto dos Registos e do Notariado (IRN): Authority handling civil registration and nationality processes. Application forms and requirements.
IRN – Nationality and Civil Registry