Updated: May 30, 2025
The Portuguese passport is one of the most powerful in the world and, because of this, is also highly coveted.
Having a Portuguese passport means having access to greater mobility, a strong economy, and a high quality of life that attracts countless families, entrepreneurs, digital nomads, and investors every year.
In this guide, we demystify the path to getting a Portuguese passport, including:
- Portugal passport benefits and power
- Portugal passport requirements and the application process
- The costs involved in getting a passport
- The processing timelines for getting a passport
Portugal Passport Benefits
Before delving into the details of how to get a Portuguese passport, let’s first take a look at why it is so highly regarded and sought after.
The passport offers the following key benefits that many other passports around the world don’t:
- Rights to live, work, and study anywhere in the European Union (EU)
- Free access to high-quality education and healthcare across Europe
- Access to an exceptionally high quality of life in Portugal
- Visa-free travel across the Schengen Area
- Possibility of dual citizenship
- Low living costs compared to the rest of Western Europe and the USA
- Access to full-time employment in Portugal and European member states without the need for additional work visas
Portugal’s Passport Power
Portuguese passport holders can travel to 177 countries without requiring a visa or getting a visa on arrival, including visa-free access to 29 countries in the EU, making it one of the most powerful in the world.
Portugal ranks 24th on the Global Citizen Solutions Global Passport Index which accounts for mobility, quality of life, and investment potential.
According to Global Citizen Solutions’ Global Intelligence Unit, Portugal also ranks 7th on the Digital Nomad Index, 2nd on the Retirement Rankings, and is the 6th most crypto-friendly nation.
Pathways to a Portuguese Passport
Before you can apply for a Portuguese passport, you’ll first need to get Portuguese nationality. Below, we explore the most common pathways to acquire the benefits of Portuguese citizenship.
- By naturalization: Maintain residency in Portugal for five years
- Through marriage: Be married to a Portuguese citizen for three years. There is no need to live in Portugal, but you must prove a genuine connection to the Portuguese community.
- By descent: You may be eligible to claim citizenship if a parent or grandparent was born in Portugal. You’ll need documents proving your parental lineage, like a birth certificate of yourself and your Portuguese grandparent or Portuguese parent.
- By investment: Invest in Portugal via the Golden Visa and apply for citizenship after five years.
- Through Sephardic Jewish heritage: Prove descent from Sephardic Jews expelled from Portugal.
How To Apply for a Portuguese Passport: Requirements and Eligibility
After living legally in Portugal for five years, you can apply for citizenship and a passport. To apply for a passport, you must already have Portuguese nationality and a valid Citizen Card.
You’ll also need to meet the following Portugal passport requirements:
- A clean criminal record
- Proof of Portuguese residency for the past five years
- A clean health record
- Proficiency in the Portuguese language on an A2 level
If your spouse is Portuguese, you may apply after three years of marriage, and you don’t need to meet the residence permit requirement.
When applying, you’ll also need a signed, completed application form along with your Citizen Card. For minors, a parent or legal guardian must provide their own identity card with the application.
No passport photos are needed, because all your biometric data (photo, fingerprints, and signature) are taken at the passport office.
Portuguese Passport Processing Time
The Portuguese passport usually takes five business days to process once you’ve submitted all necessary documents and met the requirements.
In urgent cases, it can be done in one to two business days, or even on the same day, but you may need to pay an extra fee.
A temporary passport may also be issued in emergency situations where a same-day issue is not possible.
Portuguese Passport Costs
The costs of acquiring your Portuguese passport will depend on the delivery timeframe you choose, and whether you are applying from within Portugal, or abroad. The Portugal passport cost can be broken down as follows:
- Application fee for regular or Portuguese electronic passport, within Portugal, standard processing time: €65
- Application fee for regular or Portuguese electronic passport, applying from aboard, standard processing time: €100
- Express service (processed in two working days): €85
- Urgent service (processed by the next working day): €95
- Emergency, same-day service: €100
Dual Citizenship in Portugal
Portugal allows you to become a citizen without giving up your original citizenship. However, you will need to check if your home country allows dual citizenship, too.
If it does, you can keep citizenship status in both countries. If not, you may have to choose one.
Portuguese Passport Renewal
A Portuguese passport is valid for five years and can be renewed.
If it expires within six months, you can apply for a replacement. However, if it expires, you’ll need to go through the full application process again to acquire a valid passort.
Portugal passport renewal costs €100, and if you need to renew early (for example, for a lost or stolen passport), you’ll have to pay an extra fee.
To renew your passport, you’ll need your Citizen Card and your latest previous passport, even if it has expired already. If your passport has been lost or stolen, you will need to report it and sign a declaration of loss with your renewal application.
Taking Your First Steps Towards Citizenship in Portugal
Need help getting a residence permit or citizenship in Portugal?
Global Citizen Solutions can guide you through every step, from visas to passports. The experts on the team can help you make the move smoothly and legally.
If you would like to buy your first home in Portugal, or are looking for a place to rent as part of your accommodation requirements for residency in Portugal, Goldcrest can help you find the perfect place. Chat to our team today to get the process started.
Frequently Asked Questions About How to Get Portuguese Passport
Is Portugal's passport strong?
Yes, Portugal’s passport is strong. According to the Global Passport Index, designed by Global Citizen Solutions, our residency citizenship division, Portugal is in the 24th position. This is estimated based on the weights of enhanced mobility, investment opportunities, and quality of life indicators.
Can Portuguese passport holders work in the USA?
Not automatically. Portuguese passport holders must apply for a US work visa to work in the USA. However, Portuguese passport holders can visit the USA visa-free for short-term stays of up to 90 days under the Visa Waiver Program.
What countries can you live in with a Portuguese passport?
With a Portuguese passport, you can live, study, and work in all the European Union countries without any immigration procedures.
Does buying a house in Portugal give you residency?
No, buying property alone doesn’t automatically grant residency. However, it can support your residency application if you’re applying through programs like the D7 Visa, which require proof of accommodation.
Does Portugal have a citizenship by investment program?
Not directly. But the Golden Visa allows investors to gain residency, and after five years of residency, they can apply for citizenship through naturalization, making it an indirect investment pathway.
How do you qualify for a Portuguese passport?
You must first become a Portuguese citizen. This usually means:
- Living in Portugal legally for five years (or less under certain pathways),
- Passing a basic Portuguese language test (A2 level),
- Having a clean criminal record
- Holding a valid Citizen Card.
Can I be a dual citizen of the US and Portugal?
Yes, Portugal allows dual citizenship. The United States also permits dual citizenship, so you can legally hold both nationalities.
The Portugal passport requirements for US citizens are the same as for any other nationality. So, once requirements are met, US citizens can become dual citizens.
Does Portuguese nationality grant rights to acquire Portuguese passport?
Yes. Once you have Portuguese nationality and a valid Citizen Card, you are eligible to apply for a Portuguese passport.
What is the Portuguese passport renewal cost?
The standard renewal cost is €100. If you’re renewing early for a lost or stolen passport, you may have to pay an additional fee.
Can I buy a Portuguese passport?
No, Portuguese passports are not for sale. You must obtain citizenship through legal means such as residency, marriage, or descent.
However, through the Golden Visa program, you can obtain residency by investing in the country. After five years of maintaining residency, you will be able to apply for citizenship.
What are the advantages of having a Portugal passport?
- Rights to live, work, and study anywhere in the EU
- Free access to high quality education and healthcare across Europe
- Access to an exceptionally high quality of life in Portugal
- Visa-free travel across the Schengen Area
- Possibility of dual citizenship
- Low living costs compared to the rest of Western Europe and the USA
- Access to full-time employment in Portugal and European member states without the need for additional work visas
Does family reunification allow my family members to obtain a Portuguese passport?
Family reunification does not grant a Portuguese passport directly, but it does allow your family members to gain legal residency in Portugal. After living legally for five years, they can apply for Portuguese citizenship, and once granted, they can apply for a valid passport.
What are the different types of Portugal passports?
- Regular passport: For Portuguese citizens, valid for five years
- Temporary passport: Issued in emergencies when regular passports can’t be issued in time
- Diplomatic and special passports: For Portuguese government officials and specific public service roles
How do I apply for a Portugal passport online?
You can’t apply for a passport in Portugal fully online. You must book an appointment online and visit the passport office in person for biometric data collection.
Which countries can I travel to with a Portuguese passport?
As of 2025, you can travel to 177 countries visa-free or with visa-on-arrival, including all EU countries, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan, and the USA. For a list of all the countries, see this visa-free countries guide from Global Citizen Solutions.
Is it easy to get citizenship in Portugal?
Compared to many countries, yes. Portugal offers multiple paths to citizenship (residency, marriage, descent) and requires only five years of legal residency, along with basic health and criminal record checks, and Portuguese basic language proficiency.
Is a Portuguese passport better than a US passport?
Both are among the world’s strongest. Portugal offers:
- EU freedom of movement
- More visa-free travel in some regions
- Easier path to dual citizenship
The US passport offers stronger global recognition and certain tax/treaty benefits. So, the better passport depends on your needs.
Is a Citizen Card the same as a Portuguese passport?
No. A Citizen Card proves nationality and identity within Portugal and the EU. A passport is for international travel.
How to apply for a Portuguese passport from abroad?
Visit a Portuguese Embassy or Portuguese Consulate in your country. Bring your valid Citizen Card and the required application forms. Biometric data will be collected on site.
What travel documents do I need when traveling outside of the EU with a Portuguese passport?
You only need your Portuguese passport, and, for some countries, you should check if a visa is also required.
How long do you have to live in Portugal to get a Portuguese passport?
You need to live legally in Portugal for five years to qualify for citizenship, after which you can apply for a passport.