On November 10th 2020, Organic Law no. 2/2020 came into force, which embodies the ninth amendment to the Portuguese Nationality Law.
This new law has simplified some procedures for granting and also for the acquisition of Portuguese nationality, more specifically for the following foreign citizens:
a) Grandsons of Portuguese births;
b) Married or in fact union with Portuguese;
c) Born in Portugal.
Therefore, under the terms of the amendments now implemented, the grandchildren of native Portuguese, born abroad, now fulfil the requirement of effective connection with the Portuguese community through simple demonstration of knowledge of the Portuguese language.
Also, foreigners who have been married or in an in fact union for at least 3 (three) years with a Portuguese national may be exempted from proving their effective connection to the Portuguese community as long as they fulfil one of the following conditions:
a) There are mutual children of the couple of Portuguese nationality; or
b) The marriage/in fact union has a duration of 6 (six) years or more.
Finally, minors, born in Portuguese territory, children of foreigners, may now acquire Portuguese nationality provided that one of the following requirements is fulfilled:
a) At birth (original nationality)
One of the parents is legally resident in Portuguese territory, or has been resident here, regardless of the title, for at least one year.
Or,
b) In the case of minors (acquisition of nationality by naturalisation)
As long as, at the time of application, at least one of the parents is legally resident in Portuguese territory or the minor has attended at least one year of pre-school education or basic, high school, or vocational education.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
