Portugal does not offer a birthright citizenship like in the US or South American countries. But for a child born on Portuguese soil acquires nationality at birth, only where two conditions are satisfied at the date of birth
Children born in Portugal to Golden Visa holders are eligible for Portuguese citizenship by birth, if at least one parent has held legal residency (via the Golden Visa) for at least one year at the time of the birth.
- Minor children (under 18) may obtain citizenship through a declaration once the parent’s application is approved.
- Children under 18 applying for Portuguese citizenship are generally exempt from the A2 Portuguese language test,
If, by contrast, a parent did not hold formal legal residence at the time of the birth, the case depends on assembling a convincing chronological bundle of contemporaneous documents to AIMA that demonstrate continuous presence for at least one year prior to the birth.
Producing a Proof that the child was born in Portugal is a straightforward process, which begins with securing the proper documentation attesting this fact from the Civil Registry Office where the birth was recorded. This documentation will be the basis of any subsequent request to correct or update the civil register.
This makes Portugal’s Golden Visa program super attractive for for investors as Portugal is the only country in EU that allows citizenship by birth without the need for physical residency.
