Monday, 20 December 2010

Grandchildren With At Least One Portuguese Grandparent

Source: cafeprees.co.uk

Still discussing case by case who is entitled to the Portuguese citizenship, today we will talk about the grandchildren of the Portuguese citizens.

The Article 6,4 of the Nationality Act establishes that the grandchildren, with at least one Portuguese grandparent, can apply for the Portuguese citizenship through naturalisation, without the need of living in Portugal, as long as his/her Portuguese grandparent has not lost the citizenship.

But opposite to the children of Portuguese citizens, whose the fact of having Portuguese parents is enough to justify their application, the grandchildren must meet further requirements, besides having a Portuguese grandparent, under the terms of Article 22,1 of the Nationality Statute, which are:

  • Being over 18: this means that underage grandchildren cannot apply for the naturalisation, not even represented by their parents;
  • Having enough knowledge of the Portuguese idiom;
  • Not having been found guilty of a crime whose penalty, in Portugal, is of imprisonment of three or more years;
  • Have never served the Army or worked for the government of any foreign country.


This procedure is only advised in the situation in which the parent of the grandchild, who is the child of the Portuguese citizen, has passed away before obtaining the Portuguese citizenship for himself/herself.

Summing up:

Case: grandchildren with at least one Portuguese grandparent, born abroad;
Type of citizenship: Derivative Citizenship.
Procedure: Acquisition of citizenship through naturalisation.
Documents to instruct the application: Birth Certificate of the grandchild; ID of the grandchild; Birth Certificate of the Portuguese grandparent; Birth Certificate of parent who is child of the Portuguese citizen; Document proving the knowledge of Portuguese of the applicant; Criminal clearance of the applicant.

Larissa Bona
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50 comments:

  1. sana28 July 2011 at 13:42

    hi

    ReplyDelete
  2. sana28 July 2011 at 13:44

    Dear Larissa,
    This is in regards to your blog I came across. I have a similar situation, but with my Dad. He has found his grandfather's birth certificate in goa, but unfortunately couldnt find his own mother's birth certificate. What do you think can be another alternate to this situation? Also that my dad's mother was also born during that time (1938) in goa, probably her birth was not registered. Although we have manged to find the local village (panchayat) where she resided and have requested for a residence certificate. My question to you is : Is there another alternate regarding my situation? And can I as a great grand child apply directly for citizenship rather than my father?

    Will be reallly obliged if you could help me out with this. Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous4 January 2012 at 00:09

    hi larissa,
    my grand father lost his portuguese citizenship in the philippines thru naturalization. but my dad was a minor back then and my dad was not informed of the option to apply as a citizen of portugal... my dad was born in hongkong then they moved here to the philippines.

    pls reply gibsonsantiago@yahoo.com


    many thanks

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous16 December 2012 at 07:08

    Why people still use to read news papers when in this technological world the whole thing is available on web?
    Here is my web page ... learn writing fast

    ReplyDelete
  5. Unknown24 January 2014 at 04:35

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Unknown10 October 2014 at 10:56

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Larissa Bona13 October 2014 at 11:18

      Dear Mr. Mendonca,

      Please, send me an email to larissa.bona@lawrei.com, so we can discuss your case in private.

      I look forward to hearing from you soon.

      Yours sincerely,

      Larissa Bona

      Delete
  7. Anonymous19 January 2015 at 05:38

    Dear Larissa

    My grandparents obtained Portuguese citizenship through naturalization. Neither myself nor my parents are citizens. Would it be possible for myself or my father to go through the process mentioned in the article?

    Thanks and regards

    R

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Larissa Bona18 May 2015 at 17:03

      Are you sure they have obtained the citizenship through naturalization procedure? Please, send me an e-mail to larissa.bona@lawrei.com

      Delete
  8. Anonymous11 February 2015 at 14:16

    Hello Larissa,

    How do you provide proof of knowledge of the Portuguese language? What type of document should I bring? I completed a Portuguese language course at the University of Ottawa here in Canada. Will a statement of completed studies suffice?

    Thank you
    Melissa
    (melissa.e.medeiros@gmail.com)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Larissa Bona18 May 2015 at 17:04

      Dear Melissa, you must take a Proficieny exam at Instituto Camões.

      Delete
  9. Zabby14 May 2015 at 12:56

    Hello Larissa,

    My grandfather was a portuguese national born in Daman (that was under the portuguese rule back then). He has passed away but I still have his portuguese passport to prove his nationality. My immediate parents are not portuguese nationals. Can I apply for portuguese nationality under my grandfather's nationality? I do not have his birth certificate but I do have his portuguese passport. Please advise.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Larissa Bona18 May 2015 at 17:07

      Please, send me an e-mail to larissa.bona@lawrei.com with the scans of the documents of your grandfather that you already have and I will analyze your case.

      Delete
  10. Anonymous13 August 2015 at 08:58

    Hello Larissa
    Evidently there was an amendment to the Nationality Law in August 2015 extending Nationality to Grandchildren of Portuguese. My Grandfather was Portuguese. My father was born in South Africa and never registered for Portuguese Nationality before he died. Is it possible for me to apply for Portuguese Nationality?
    Thank you
    Colette

    ReplyDelete
  11. Anonymous2 September 2015 at 14:31

    I have the same question as above..... i am South African, Grandmother (alive) is portuguese, and lives in SA where my dad was born, but my father never registered for Portuguese nationality. Can i as a south african register through my grandmother?

    ReplyDelete
  12. Unknown1 November 2015 at 04:44

    Good day,
    Please may I have your email address.
    My grand father was born in Portugal and passed away in South Africa in a car accident. His documentation was destroyed in error. How do I obtain his birth certificate. I only have a few of his details.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Larissa Bona4 November 2015 at 23:04

      Dear Sir/Madam

      My e-mail is larissa.bona@lawrei.com

      Delete
  13. Unknown30 December 2015 at 02:20

    my great- grand father was born in the Azores (my fathers grandfather) could i get citizenship if my father gets his?

    ReplyDelete
  14. Anonymous3 January 2016 at 15:29

    Hello Larissa,

    My father was born in Goa before the 1961, but he does not intend to apply for Portuguese citizenship.

    Can I apply for the Portuguese citizenship in such case? If yes what is required to be done?

    ReplyDelete
  15. joelchris215 January 2016 at 05:57

    My grandfather and grandmother were born before 1961 in Goa. The fact that my mother was born in Bombay and does not want citizenship as she is a government servant makes my way through his process a bit foggy. Is there a process around this?

    ReplyDelete
  16. Anonymous16 January 2016 at 08:37

    Hi Larissa,
    My grandparents were both born in Goa before 1961 but we never got registered. My father was born in Karachi but my parents have separated since 2005 and we are not in contact with him. Is it possible to get my grandparents registered without him?

    ReplyDelete
  17. Anonymous23 March 2016 at 13:27

    Hello Larissa,

    Both my maternal grandparents were born in Portugal and then immigrated to Canada and are now since deceased. I understand from your post above that the easiest route for me to acquire Portuguese citizenship would be through my mom declaring first. Would this be possible for her even though her parents have passed away?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Larissa Bona4 April 2016 at 12:07

      Yes, your mother is still entitled to the Portuguese citizenship despite of the fact her parents are deceased.

      If you have any further queries, please, do not hesitate to contact me at larissa.bona@lawrei.com

      Delete
  18. Unknown11 June 2016 at 04:42

    Hi Larissa,

    What course is required from Camoes, A1 ,A2, B1 ,B2?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Larissa Bona27 June 2016 at 16:27

      Dear Mr. Pereira,

      A1 will do fine.

      If you have any further queries, please, do not hesitate to contact me at larissa.bona@lawrei.com

      Delete
  19. J28 June 2016 at 20:14

    Hi my grandma was portuguese (madeira) but lived in England from the age of about 16 from the 1940s so presumably became naturalised at some point. Does that mean she lost her portuguese citizenship? I've never thought about it before but with this exit from EU I'm looking at options! I only speak a few phrases of portuguese but would be willing to learn!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Larissa Bona11 July 2016 at 18:33

      Dear Unknown, we must check if the records of your grandmother in Portugal shows whether she has lost the citizenship or not. Please, send me an e-mail with her data, so I can give you guidance to check this. My e-mail is larissa.bona@lawrei.com

      Delete
  20. Bella11 July 2016 at 13:09

    Dear Larissa
    I am a portuguese citizen living in south africa. I have 2 daughters 22 and 24. I never registered my marriage but divorced 20 years ago. My issue is can i register my daughters without registering my marriage? I don't know where my ex husband is so can't seem to find paperwork.
    Kind regards
    Bella

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Larissa Bona11 July 2016 at 18:36

      Dear Bella,

      Taking into account the Birth Certificates issued in South Africa and the Portuguese Registration Code, it is compulsory for you to register your marriage in Portugal in order to allow your daughters to become eligible to apply for the Portuguese citizenship. Please, send me an e-mail at larissa.bona@lawrei.com, so I can give you guidance on how to overcome this problem.

      Regards,

      Larissa

      Delete
  21. Unknown8 August 2016 at 15:34

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Anonymous27 August 2016 at 21:02

    Dear Larissa

    My husband was Portuguese citizen residing in South Africa. He passed away before registering our marriage. My daughter was born in Botswana but has RSA birth certificate nd Botswana birth certificate. Can I register her as a Portuguese citizen.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Larissa Bona16 September 2016 at 14:35

    How old is your daughter? Please, send me an e-mail at larissa.bona@lawrei.com so I can provide you accurate information.

    Yours sincerely,

    Larissa Bona

    ReplyDelete
  24. Anonymous27 September 2016 at 15:20

    Dear Larissa
    I was born in Mozambique in 1954, than a portuguese colony. Just before independence I moved to Zimbabwe where I was married and acquired zimbabwen passport. I am now divorced. My parents moved to Portugal and aquired portuguese nationality. My great grandfather was born in Daman. Can I apply for a portuguese nationality on the grounds of my great grandfather and parents beeing portuguese

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Larissa Bona5 October 2016 at 17:03

      Dear Sir/Madam,

      In order to provide you accurate information, I would be very grateful if you could send me an e-mail to larissa.bona@lawrei.com with the scan of the Portuguese birth certificates of your parents. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
      Yours sincerely,

      Delete
  25. Anonymous21 October 2016 at 21:27

    Hi.My father was born in Mozambique and opted for portuguese passport on independence then moved to Portugal. He then moved to the UK and got British citizenship after marrying my mother. He then stopped renewing the Portuguese passport and has not had one since the 80s. We continue to visit family in Lisbon however. Is he still considered portugues? I have emailed you also

    ReplyDelete
  26. Unknown20 July 2017 at 04:52

    Hii Larissa we are living in London,my sister in law have applied for indefinite but home office has rejected her visa because she come to London on her mother dependent ,during the period of visa application she was married and having 2 children,.my mother in law have Portuguese nationality,now we don't know what we should do..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Larissa Bona25 July 2017 at 19:11

      Dear Mr. Nurani,

      I advise you to contact an UK Immigration Solicitor. This professional is better qualified to give you this sort of information, since I only deal with immigration and citizenship applications to Portugal.

      Delete
  27. Anonymous14 August 2017 at 11:50

    Dear Larissa,
    My grandmother was born in Portugal and emigrated to America but never renounced her Portuguese citizenship. I'm an American citizen. I've never lived in Portugal but would like to apply for citizenship and I have all the necessary documents, except that I do not speak Portuguese. I've seen the required exams and know I could not pass them. Would they be willing to be flexible on this requirement?

    ReplyDelete
  28. Anonymous5 October 2017 at 02:33

    Dear Larissa,
    Hi,
    I have my grandparentss portugal passport with me which proves their portugal citizenship but i dont have any birth certificate and also my grandfather has passed away but my grandmother is alive...Is it possible for me to get a portugal passport...
    Ps: My parents do not have any portugal passport or citizenship.
    Revert back ASAP

    Regards.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Larissa Bona3 November 2017 at 15:09

      Dear Sir/Madam,

      Yes, as grandchild of Portuguese citizens, you are entitled to the Portuguese citizenship. But if your parents are still alive, I advise you to ask the child of your Portuguese grandparents to apply for the Portuguese citizenship, so he/she can transmit the citizenship to you, because then your application will be much more straightforward. If you need further clarification, please, write me at larissa.bona@larissabona.com

      Delete
  29. Unknown1 May 2018 at 15:21

    Dear Larissa, My grandparents were born in Goa. They have both passed away however i have my deceased grandparents portuguese passports. We do jot have he birth certificates. Please let me know if we will be able to apply for portuguese nationality

    ReplyDelete
  30. Larissa Bona4 June 2018 at 17:51

    Dear Ms. D'Souza, indeed, it is possible to apply for the registration of the birth of your grandparents using their passports, even if you do not have their Portuguese Birth Certificates (Teor). Nonetheless, you must get hold of their Indian Birth Certificates, though.

    If you want, you can e-mail me the scans of the documents of you have, so I can take a look at them and inform you if they are fine to instruct the applications or not.

    My e-mail is larissa.bona@larissabona.com

    ReplyDelete
  31. Unknown1 October 2018 at 05:06

    DearLarissa
    My mother was born in bombay but her parents were born in goa and married there.i now want to apply for portugese citizenship.my mother has been to goa before 1961 and i have obtained her travel document.i also have my grand fathers birth theor and marraige from the registrar as well as his original travel document.is it possible for me to apply.i have been told that as mymother was born before 1961 she has to be born in goa for me to apply.can you guide me in regards to the application.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Dianne da Mata16 November 2018 at 06:21

    Hi Larissa,
    I sent you a private message.
    Regards
    Dianne

    ReplyDelete
  33. Unknown19 November 2019 at 15:14

    Hi larisaa

    I m goan born child but my grandparents and my parents are born during 1930-1956 i dont have any documents of my grandparents nor birth nor marriage but have my moms teor with is there any option to apply for portuguese passport kindly revert me asap

    Best regards
    Victor jose ferrao

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Larissa Bona24 November 2019 at 16:45

      Dear Mr. Ferrao,

      Please, send me an e-mail at larissa.bona@lawrei.com, so we can discuss your case in private.

      I look forward to hearing from you soon.

      Kind regards,

      Larissa Bona

      Delete
  34. Anonymous8 November 2020 at 23:09

    Hello, My Grandparents (deceased) and my parents were born in Portugal and are Portuguese Citizens. I was born in Canada. Would I be eligible for Portuguese Citizenship? would this be through my parents or my deceased grandparents?

    ReplyDelete
  35. Larissa Bona9 November 2020 at 18:23

    Dear Anonymous, if your parents still hold the Portuguese citizenship, you are entitled to the Portuguese citizenship for being child of Portuguese citizens. If you would like to discuss more specific details of your case, please, do not hesitate to write to larissa.bona@lawrei.com

    Regards,

    Larissa Bona

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10 November 2020 at 23:32

      Hello, I found out my parents do not still hold there Portuguese citizenships. Would I be able to obtain citizenship through my deceased Portuguese grandparents? even though I was born in Canada?

      Delete
  36. Larissa Bona11 November 2020 at 18:19

    Yes, if your parents are no longer Portuguese citizens, then you can apply for the citizenship through your grandparents. Please, notice that this post is outdated. There were several law changes that have happened since I've written this post that have made the application of the grandchildren easier.

    ReplyDelete

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