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How to Get a Portuguese Passport Eligibility & Application Process
After obtaining citizenship, it is incredibly helpful to apply for a passport to reap the benefits of the country. According to the 2025 Passport Index, Portugal ranks third globally in terms of mobility and overall power. A Portuguese passport not only confirms your status as a citizen but also allows you to fully access the numerous benefits that citizenship has to offer, such as the freedom to live, work, and travel across the EU.
This guide will explore the eligibility criteria for obtaining a Portuguese passport after a successful citizenship application, as well as the importance of working with expert immigration lawyers (Advogados).
Click on the links below
Read the eligibility criteria for a Portuguese passport.
Discover the timeframe after obtaining Portuguese citizenship when you can apply for a passport.
Understand the required documentation for a Portuguese passport.
Explore the application process for obtaining a Portuguese passport after becoming a citizen.
See how Giambrone & Partners’ English speaking Portuguese lawyers can assist with citizenship and passport applications.
Read common queries on Portuguese passports.
Who is Eligible to Apply for a Portuguese Passport?
To be eligible for a Portuguese passport, you must be a registered citizen of Portugal. Only those who have successfully completed the citizenship process and been officially granted Portuguese nationality are eligible to apply.
Regardless of the pathway to Portuguese citizenship, successful applicants are eligible for a passport, such as through naturalisation, descent, marriage, or Sephardic Jewish heritage. As long as citizenship has been recognised and recorded by Portuguese authorities, foreign applicants gain all the rights of Portuguese-born nationals.
If you have applied for Portuguese nationality, you can check the status of your application through a consultation code. There are four statuses: Submitted, Under analysis, For decision, and Completed. Under “Completed”, your nationality application has either been approved and you are eligible for a Portuguese passport, or it has been refused and archived.
In the case of refusal, citizenship applicants and their immigration lawyers are given 20 days to supply additional documents requested.. If not, the decision remains final.
You can request information on why your citizenship application was refused, which you can use when reapplying.
Giambrone & Partners are multilingual and multi-jurisdictional lawyers with expertise in acquiring citizenship in various countries, such as Spain and Portugal. Our Portuguese immigration lawyers (Advogados) will assess your claim for citizenship, advising you throughout the application process, and scrutinise documentation to address potential risks.
To discuss your circumstances, Contact us today.
To discuss your circumstances, Contact us today.
Request a callback with Giambrone & Partners to discuss your options in more detail.
When Can You Apply for a Portuguese Passport After Gaining Citizenship?
Once your citizenship application has been accepted and your Portuguese civil records have been updated, you can apply for a passport. In most instances. You will need to wait until after you have received your Citizen Card (Cartão de Cidadão), which serves as your primary identification while in Portugal. The Portuguese citizen card is required for the passport application and includes all the required information, including your civil registry number.
However, the timeframe for passport application eligibility may vary depending on whether you are applying from within Portugal or abroad. If you were born outside Portugal, you may need to wait until your birth is registered with the Portuguese civil registry.
What Documents Are Required to Apply for a Portuguese Passport?
The most important document you will need for a passport is a valid Portuguese Citizen Card (Cartão de Cidadão). Introduced in 2006 by the Instituto dos Registos e do Notariado (IRN), this identity card features biometric data (fingerprints), electronic chips and an electronic signature for added security. You can obtain a Citizen Card at an IRN or a Citizen’s Shop, where you will undergo biometric identification.
To apply for a Portuguese passport, you will also need the required documents together with a valid Cartão de Cidadão:
- Proof of Portuguese citizenship (if requested)
- Completed the application form for the passport
- Recent passport-sized photographs
- Proficiency in the Portuguese language
- Evidence of legal residence in Portugal
- Clean criminal record
While the list of documents may seem manageable, it is essential to ensure that everything is accurate and up to date. Mistakes or missing details can result in rejected applications or prolonged delays.
Giambrone & Partners’ Portuguese lawyers (Advogados) will ensure your paperwork is properly prepared, giving your application the highest chance of approval without administrative setbacks.
For more information, read our complete guide on applying for Portuguese citizenship and how our lawyers can help here.
Where and How to Apply for a Portuguese Passport
Portuguese passports are applied for in person, which can be done at the Institute of Registries (IRN) offices, at Lisbon and Porto airports (for urgent reasons), a Portuguese consulate (if you are abroad), or the Autonomous Regional Governments of Madeira.
In Portugal, the passport application process is fairly straightforward. Schedule an appointment online at one of the designated locations, and bring the Citizen Card. At your appointment, you will have your photograph taken and be asked to provide your fingerprints and signature for the passport.
The cost of a Portuguese passport ranges from €65 to €120, depending on the chosen delivery method, which can be paid by cash, credit, or debit card.
Once your new passport is ready, you can collect it from the office or have it delivered by mail (for an additional shipping fee).
How Can Portuguese Immigration Lawyers Help?
Applying for Portuguese citizenship is a beneficial step for many foreign nationals looking to strengthen their ties with the country. This can be fully enhanced with the acquisition of a passport and a valid Citizen Card.
At Giambrone & Partners, we are here to assist with the citizenship process and additional legal steps required. Our Portuguese immigration and citizenship lawyers (Advogados) can help gather and proof required documents and advise you at every step. We will ensure your records are updated accordingly and, if necessary, act on your behalf in front of Portuguese authorities.
If you are interested in the Portuguese citizenship application process or obtaining a passport, request a callback with Giambrone & Partners’ expert lawyers here.
To discuss your circumstances, Contact us today.
To discuss your circumstances, Contact us today.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Does a Portuguese Passport Last?
Since May 2025, the Portuguese passport is valid for five years after issuance (for citizens aged five and over). However, this is set to change.
The Portuguese passport will extend its validity from five years to ten years, taking into effect in early 2026. This will apply exclusively to the Portuguese Electronic Passport (PEP) and will be available to legal adult citizens over 18.
Do I Need to Renew My Portuguese Passport?
After five years, you will need to renew your Portuguese passport. Before it expires in the next six months, apply for a replacement, which costs €100.
If your Portuguese passport expires, the renewal of passports is voided, and you will need to start the entire passport application process again.
Can Foreign Nationals Obtain a Portuguese Passport?
In some cases, foreign nationals who are legally residing in Portugal may be eligible for a passport, including those with dual nationality. This includes foreign nationals from countries that do not have an embassy or consulate, stateless persons, and those who can demonstrate that they are unable to obtain another passport.