How Canadians Can Apply for Portuguese Citizenship: A Practical Guide

Portuguese citizenship has become a hot topic among people worldwide because of its perks, like the ability to live, work, and study across the European Union (EU). For Canadians, there are specific ways to obtain Portuguese citizenship, often through ancestry, marriage, or residency. Here's a practical guide with tips to help you navigate the process smoothly.

1. Choose the Right Path

A) Through Portuguese Ancestry

If you've got Portuguese parents, grandparents, or even great-grandparents, you could qualify for citizenship based on descent.
Tips:

• Birth and Marriage Certificates: Gather documents showing your direct connection to your Portuguese ancestors.
• Portuguese Records: Check if your relatives were registered with Portuguese authorities, even if they lived abroad.

B) Through Marriage or Common-Law Partnership

If you're married to or in a common-law relationship with a Portuguese citizen for at least three years, you may be eligible.
Tips:

• Provide proof of your relationship, like marriage certificates or common-law declarations.
• Authorities will check the stability of the relationship to prevent fraud.

C) Through Residency

Canadians legally living in Portugal for at least five years can apply for citizenship.
Tips:

• Start with a visa (e.g., the D7 visa for retirees or people with passive income, or a digital nomad visa).
• Keep records proving your time in Portugal, like tax filings and residency documents.

2. Gather Your Documents

The application process requires some key paperwork. Here's what you'll basically need:

• Birth Certificate: Must be legalized and, in some cases, translated into Portuguese by a certified translator.
• Proof of Connection to Portugal: Includes family records, residency documents, or relationship proof.
• Proof of Residency in Portugal (just for specific cases): Tax records, rental contracts, or property ownership.
• Criminal Record Check: Obtain one from the Canadian authorities, legalized for use in Portugal.
• Proof of acknowledgement of Portuguese language - for grandsons

3. Submit Your Application

You can apply through the Instituto dos Registos e Notariado (IRN) in Portugal or at a Portuguese consulate in Canada.
Tips:

• Double-check all your documents before submitting them.
• Consider hiring an immigration lawyer to make sure your application is thorough and complete.

4. Be Patient

The process can take anywhere from 18 to 30 months, depending on the path you take and the workload of Portuguese authorities.
Tips:

• Track your application's progress on the IRN website.
• Use the waiting period to plan your move to Portugal if that's part of your goal.

Perks of Portuguese Citizenship

• The right to live and work anywhere in the EU.
• Access to top-notch healthcare and education.
• Make the most of the perks offered by the current nationality law for descendants of Portuguese citizens.
• Turn your dream of a new life in Portugal into reality.
• Reconnect with your roots.
• The ability to pass citizenship on to your descendants.
• Visa-free travel to over 180 countries with a Portuguese passport.

Applying for Portuguese citizenship may seem daunting at first, but with the right info and support, it's totally doable. For Canadians looking to connect with their roots or explore new opportunities in Europe, Portuguese citizenship is a fantastic option.

Canada is home to a large community of Portuguese descendants who are eligible for citizenship. If you're a descendant of a Portuguese citizen, don't miss the chance to claim your right to Portuguese citizenship and reconnect with your roots.

Change Consulting is a Portuguese company with large experience with citizenship processes. We are based in Portugal, which gives us direct access to the IRN and Portuguese documents through public archives. This allows us to work on your process much more efficiently. We're ready to assist you with this journey

Count on us!

Change Consulting Team