Barbara Queiróz Updated: March 23, 2026
Many expats are looking for ways to obtain a Portuguese passport and enjoy the benefits that come with it. As part of the European Union, Portugal has one of the most powerful passports in the world, attracting investors, digital nomads, entrepreneurs, retirees, and families.
Passport holders can enjoy visa-free access to 190 countries. Although the process can take time, once you obtain Portuguese citizenship, you can apply for a passport, which can be relatively straightforward if you know the right steps.
In this guide, we will look at how to get a Portuguese passport, the application process, fees, renewal costs, and processing time.
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Getting a Portuguese Passport: Key Takeaways
- Portugal has one of the strongest passports in the world, offering holders travel to 190 countries without a visa.
- With an EU passport, you can work, study, live, and travel anywhere across the European Union.
- You can apply for or renew a passport at IRN service desks (Civil Registry Offices), passport offices (including those at Lisbon and Porto airports), or at the Portuguese Consulate in your country of residence.
- The processing time for a passport in Portugal depends on the method you choose. Standard processing is 5 to 12 business days, expert requests take 2 days, and urgent requests are 1 business day.
- The standard fee for a Portuguese passport is €65–€100, €85–€129 for express requests, and €95–€160 for urgent processing.
Portugal Passport Benefits
Obtaining Portuguese citizenship can offer a wide range of benefits, starting with access to one of the world’s most powerful passports, which can offer visa-free travel to 190 countries. For many foreign citizens, a Portuguese passport is worth it, as it provides a gateway to European Union citizenship.
Here is a full breakdown of the advantages of a Portuguese passport:
Travel, live, work, and study across Europe
With a Portuguese passport, you can move freely within the Schengen Area without worrying about extra visas. Because Portugal is part of the EU, you can live, work, and study in any EU country.
Access quality healthcare and education
You can take advantage of high-quality public healthcare and, in many cases, access free or low-cost education at top European institutions. To top it all off, Portugal’s healthcare ranks 23rd globally, according to the World Index of Healthcare Innovation.
Enjoy a high quality of life
Portugal’s quality of life is very high, known for its mild climate, safety, and incredible food, making everyday life both comfortable and enjoyable.
Work without restrictions
You can work full-time or part-time in Portugal, or anywhere in the EU. Working in Portugal can offer many opportunities, especially if you pursue a career in tourism, technology, healthcare, or innovation. As a registered citizen, you have an added perk of voting, running for public office, or applying for public-sector jobs.
Benefit from a lower cost of living
Compared to many other European countries, the cost of living in Portugal is more affordable, helping you get more value for your money.
Citizenship for life
Your passport is more than an identity document; it’s lifelong access to Portuguese nationality and the rights and benefits of EU citizenship.
Who is eligible for a Portuguese passport?
To meet the eligibility criteria for a Portuguese passport, you need to be a registered citizen of Portugal. The passport is only available to those whose citizenship application has been successfully finalized.
No matter the citizenship routes you take, through naturalization, descent, marriage, or Sephardic Jewish heritage, once your citizenship is recognized by the Portuguese authorities, you get the same rights under Portuguese law as someone born in Portugal.
To become eligible, you need to meet the Portuguese language requirement (A2 level), legal residency requirements of five years, clean criminal record requirements, and provide proof of integration.
If you’ve applied for Portuguese nationality, you can check the status of your citizenship application with the consultation code. There are four possible statuses: “submitted”, “under analysis”, “for decision”, and “completed”.
When the status shows “completed”, your application was either approved, and you can now apply for a Portuguese passport, or it was rejected. If your application is rejected, you or your immigration lawyer has 20 days to submit any required documents. If you don’t, the refusal becomes final.
You can also request an explanation for the refusal, which can help you prepare a stronger application if you decide to reapply.
Start your journey towards your own Portuguese Passport. Find out how to get residency with our ultimate guide!
How powerful is the Portuguese passport?
The Portuguese passport is among the world’s most powerful passports. It relies on European Union standards, with visa-free access to around 190 countries.
The Portuguese passport ranks in the 28th position based on the Global Citizen Solutions (GCS) Global Passport Index. The GCS Passport Index ranks all passports worldwide based on mobility, investment, and potential for quality of life.
Based on the GCS 2025 Passport Index, the Portuguese passport ranking is as follows:
- Enhanced mobility index: 12th
- Quality of life index: 12th
- Investment index: 60th
- Total ranking: 28th
While other EU member states are becoming less popular, such as France, Italy, Spain, and Germany, the Portuguese passport remains a highly sought-after option for foreign nationals.
Read more about the Portugal Passport Visa Free Countries.
Ways to Obtain 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.
- Citizenship by naturalization: Maintain residency in Portugal for five years and meet the legal requirements for naturalization. You will need an A2 level in Portuguese language and a clean criminal record.
- Citizenship by descent: You may be eligible to claim Portuguese citizenship by descent if a parent or grandparent was born in Portugal. You’ll need the required documents proving your parental lineage, such as a birth certificate for yourself and your Portuguese grandparent or parent.
- Citizenship 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.
- Golden Visa pathway: While there isn’t a direct citizenship by investment in Portugal, you can invest in residency via the Golden Visa. This residency-by-investment option offers a temporary resident status that allows you to apply for permanent residency or citizenship after five years.
- Through Sephardic Jewish heritage: Prove descent from Sephardic Jews expelled from Portugal.
How to Obtain a Portuguese Passport: Requirements and Eligibility
After living in Portugal legally for five years, you can qualify 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, such as a residence certificate (Atestado de Residência), utility bills, rental agreement, property ownership documents, tax registration certificate
- 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 valid Citizen Card (Cartão de Cidadão). For minors, a parent or legal guardian provides 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.
How to Apply for a Portuguese Passport (Step-by-Step)
You must apply for a Portuguese passport in person because you need to provide biometric data. First-time passports and renewals cannot be done entirely online. You can schedule your appointment online or by phone, or just walk in for same-day service.
The naturalization process takes five years, so you must maintain legal residence and meet all the requirements. To be eligible for a passport, you first need to obtain Portuguese citizenship. However, recent changes to the Portuguese Nationality Law have been proposed to increase the time it takes to obtain citizenship from five to 10 years or seven years for CPLP nationals.
Here is a step-by-step guide for obtaining a Portuguese passport.
Step 1: Obtain Portuguese residency
For non-EU nationals, obtaining residency in Portugal means applying for one of the available visas, such as the D7 (Retirement Visa), Golden Visa, D8 (Digital Nomad Visa), or the Startup Visa, to name a few. For a detailed guide to all available options, check our article on Portuguese residency.
If you are already a resident of Portugal, you need to maintain your legal residence for at least five years before you apply for citizenship.
Step 2: Complete the residency requirement
To meet the residency requirement, you need to reside in Portugal on a valid visa or residency permit, which counts toward the five-year period required for non-EU nationals.
Step 3: Pass a Portuguese language test
To qualify for citizenship, you should pass a simple A2 Language test that shows you have the skills to understand basic Portuguese expressions. For more details, check our guide on the Portugal Golden Visa Language Test.
Step 4: Apply for citizenship
To apply for citizenship, you need documents, mainly a birth certificate, a valid identification document (passport), and a criminal record certificate (all apostilled). You can submit the application at the Central Civil Registry Office (Conservatória dos Registos Centrais) or apply through a local civil registry or a Portuguese Consulate if you live abroad.
Step 6: Receive the citizenship certificate
After submitting all the necessary documents, you wait for processing, which varies based on the citizenship route you choose.
When the citizenship certificate is ready, you receive a notification that your citizenship is proven through your Portuguese birth record.
Step 7: Apply for a passport
You can file your Portuguese passport application at any Institute of Registries and Notary (Instituto dos Registos e do Notariado or IRN).
The locations for issuing passports in Portugal include:
- Conservatória do Registo Civil (Portuguese Civil Registry)
- Lojas do Cidadão (Citizen shops)
- Passport offices at major airports in Lisbon or Porto for expedited services
- Passport offices in the autonomous regions of Madeira and the Azores
- A Portuguese Consulate or Embassy, or if you live outside Portugal
Portuguese Passport Processing Time
A regular Portuguese passport takes around five to 12 business days to process, once you’ve submitted all the necessary documents and met the requirements.
However, at an additional cost, the Portuguese authorities can provide faster processing: Two business days for express requests or one business day for urgent requests.
A temporary passport, valid for six months, may also be issued in emergencies where same-day issuance is not possible.
Portuguese Passport Costs
The Portuguese passport fees vary depending on the processing time, delivery method, and where you submit your request. You can pay in cash or via Multibanco (ATM).
It is possible to request an external service for an additional cost of €50. This service is available for people with reduced mobility, verified special needs, hospitalized individuals, those in healthcare units, and inmates.
If you replace your passport without returning the old one, you pay a €40 fee.
The table below outlines the official government costs for renewing your Portuguese passport or requesting a new one.
Passport type | Costs |
Standard request | - Pick up at the counter: €65 (regular traveler) or €100 (frequent traveler) - Home delivery (Portugal): €75 or €110 - Home delivery (Abroad): €95 or €130 |
Express request | - Pick up at the counter: €85 or €120 - Home delivery (Portugal): €95 or €130 - Home delivery (Abroad): €115 or €150 |
Urgent request | - Pick up at the counter: €95 or €130 - Home delivery (Portugal): €105 or €140 - Home delivery (Abroad): €125 or €160 |
Urgent request – Lisbon Airport | - Pick up at counter: €100 or €135 |
Dual Citizenship in Portugal
Portugal allows dual citizenship, so you can obtain a new passport without renouncing your old nationality. However, you will need to check whether your home country allows dual citizenship as well.
If so, you can keep your citizenship status in both countries. If not, you may have to choose one. For more details, check our article on Portugal dual citizenship.
Portuguese Passport Renewal
A Portuguese passport is valid for five years and can be renewed. You can apply for a renewal at any time, regardless of the expiration date.
Portugal passport renewal costs €100 (based on the standard fee), 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 (Cartão de Cidadão) and your previous passport, even if it has already expired. 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 team’s experts can help you make the move smoothly and legally.
If you are relocating to Portugal and planning on buying your first home, or looking for a place to rent, a buyer’s agent like Goldcrest can come in handy.
The Portuguese property market is fragmented, which means working with a real estate expert can be beneficial for finding properties, obtaining market research, and negotiating prices. Goldcrest is a buyer’s agent that offers property search services, a wide network of local tax, contractor, and legal advisors, and property management for long-term rentals.
Goldcrest: How We Can Help You
Goldcrest is a buyer’s agent that is based in Lisbon. We provide expert, impartial advice on real estate investments and how to buy property in Portugal. From scouting out the perfect property through to property acquisition, we have you covered throughout the process.
If you are looking to purchase property in Portugal, don’t hesitate to get in touch. Our team of skilled experts is available to solve all your real estate doubts, helping you with the property search and offering insightful expertise and strategic advice.
Why choose Goldcrest?
- Local knowledge: With offices located across Portugal, our presence nationwide allows us to assist you personally across the country.
- Independent service: As an independent buying agent, we do not represent any development or project. Our service is entirely tailored toward each individual client, providing you with everything you need to secure the perfect property at the best possible price. As an impartial advisor on the market, we work solely on behalf of our client and provide a service tailored to your needs and requirements.
- Streamlined process: Our real estate agents speak English and Portuguese, and our service is completely focused on providing you with a hassle-free buying experience, saving you time.
- Experienced team: Our expert real estate team has a vast local knowledge of the Portuguese property market. We have cutting-edge technology and metasearch tools at your disposal to provide full market coverage, ensuring the best investment choices and negotiated prices.
- Network of partners: We have a close network of partners, including lawyers, property management services, builders, architects, designers, and landscape gardeners, again saving you time and hassle by providing you with trusted experts in their field of work.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Portuguese Passport
Does Portugal have electronic or paper passports?
As of 2025, Portugal issues biometric e-passports, known as the Portuguese electronic passport (PEP). The passport contains an electronic microprocessor chip to store biometric data. Only in exceptional and urgent cases may authorities issue a temporary non-electronic Portuguese passport.
How to get a Portugal passport?
You can obtain a Portuguese passport in person, which can be done at a Portuguese Consulate (if you live abroad), the Institute of Registries (IRN) offices, Lisbon or Porto airports (for emergency reasons), or passport offices in the Autonomous regions of Madeira and Azores.
What are the benefits of a Portuguese 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
How long does it take to get a Portuguese passport?
The processing time for a Portuguese passport depends on the method you choose. For example, standard processing takes 5 to 12 business days, 2 days for expert requests, or 1 business day for urgent requests.
What are the different types of Portuguese 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
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 Portugal 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.
How do I apply for a Portugal passport online?
You can’t apply for a passport in Portugal fully online. But you can book an appointment online and then visit the passport office in person for biometric data collection.
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.
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.
Where is the European Union title on a Portuguese passport?
The title União Europeia (European Union title) appears at the top of Portuguese passports, which indicates the holder is a citizen of an EU member state.
