How to Get Portuguese Citizenship Through Marriage: The Ultimate Guide
Portugal offers a unique path to citizenship through marriage. In fact, marrying a Portuguese citizen can open doors to numerous opportunities and benefits for you and your partner. Now you might think about how to get the opportunity whether you are a Muslim.
To begin the process of obtaining Portuguese citizenship through marriage, you will first need to verify your eligibility. Once eligible, get your documents, which may include passports, birth certificates, and marriage certificates.
Connecting to the Portuguese Islamic community by learning about their culture and language is also important. After gathering all the necessary documents, submit them to the appropriate authorities and then patiently wait for processing.
If you want to obtain citizenship in Portugal through Islamic relationships, this step-by-step guide will help you. All information and requirements are covered to help you navigate this exciting journey from application to legal obligations.
Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Portuguese Citizenship Through Marriage
Marriage to a Portuguese Muslim citizen gives you Portuguese citizenship and all its rights and privileges. But you have to go through some strict steps. The list goes like this:
- Step 01: Verify eligibility
- Step 02: Gather the required documents
- i) Personal identification documents
- ii) Criminal record documentation
- iii) Proof of language proficiency
- Step 03: Establish a connection to the Portuguese community
- Step 04: Submission of documents
- Step 05: Wait for the processing
- Step 06: Maintain a valid marriage
- Step 07: Acquire your citizenship
Let’s discuss these steps to obtaining Portuguese citizenship through marriage.
Step 01: Verify Eligibility
Before starting the process, ensure you meet the eligibility criteria for obtaining Portuguese citizenship. Here are two key factors to consider:
- Duration of Marriage: The marriage or de facto union must have lasted more than three years following judicial recognition by a Portuguese civil court.
- Proof of Relationship: According to a halal marriage website Noble Marriage, gather evidence that proves your Islamic marriage relationship is genuine. This can include marriage certificates or proof of cohabitation.
Step 02: Gather Required Documents
You’ll need to gather a few key documents to obtain citizenship through marriage in Portugal.
i) Personal Identification Documents
Portuguese citizenship can be obtained through marriage with a Narrative Birth Certificate of the Portuguese Muslim spouse. This document provides detailed information about the individual’s birth, including their full name, parent’s names, and place of birth.
To apply for Portuguese citizenship, you will also need to gather the following personal identification documents:
- Certified copy of your Birth Certificate
- Copy of Muslim spouse’s Portuguese passport and Identification card
ii) Criminal Record Documentation
You’ll need a criminal record certificate from your country of birth and all the countries you’ve lived in since you were 16. If these documents are not in Portuguese, they must be translated. Also, US Muslim residents must provide an FBI Nationwide Criminal Record.
iii) Proof of Language Proficiency
- To prove your proficiency in Portuguese, get a certificate from a Portuguese public or private school or the Portuguese Consulate abroad.
- Another option is to obtain a certificate of proficiency in Portuguese as a foreign language from accredited evaluation centers.
- Diplomas from teaching institutions in Portuguese-speaking countries are also accepted.
- Portuguese proficiency is not required in marriages with Portuguese nationals who have been married for at least five years.
Step 03: Establish a Connection to the Portuguese Community
To connect to the Portuguese community, you can join Islamic clubs in Portuguese and associations and participate in their Halal events. This will provide you with an opportunity to engage with fellow Portuguese individuals. You will also demonstrate your commitment to the Islamic community and its culture.
Participating in events like Islamic festivals, cultural celebrations, or language classes shows you’re committed to Portuguese culture.
You can further strengthen your connection to the Muslim community by participating in volunteer initiatives or fundraising events. Some Islamic clubs or associations organize these events.
Active engagement helps you establish meaningful relationships and demonstrate concrete contributions to the Portuguese community.
Step 04: Submission of Documents
After gathering all the required information, submit it to Conservatória dos Registos Centrais. The Conservatória dos Registos Centrais is the central registry office in Portugal responsible for handling citizenship applications.
When submitting your documents, ensure they are organized and presented clearly and professionally. Double-check that you have included all the necessary paperwork, such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, proof of residence, and any other relevant documentation.
Also, ensure that any foreign documents are properly translated into Portuguese by an official translator if necessary.
Step 05: Wait for Processing
Once you have submitted all the required documents, it is now a matter of waiting for the authorities to complete their review. During this time, it may be helpful to focus on other aspects of your life and try not to check for updates obsessively.
Rest assured that the relevant authorities are carefully considering your application and any necessary steps will be taken in due course. It can take some time for your Portuguese citizenship application to be approved, so be patient.
Step 06: Maintain Valid Marriage
After submitting your application and completing the processing step, you must ensure your marital relationship remains valid.
Throughout the application process and until citizenship is granted, you must uphold the commitment of your Islamic marriage. This means continuing to live together as a married couple and fulfilling the responsibilities of being spouses.
Step 07: Acquire Your Citizenship
You will get Portuguese citizenship once all the required documentation is submitted following the government rules and regulations. The government provides you with a Citizen’s Card (Cartão de Cidadão), and you can now enjoy all the rights and privileges associated with Portuguese citizenship.
This includes voting in elections and applying for jobs or higher education opportunities that may only be available to citizens.
Possibility to Get Portuguese Citizenship via Marriage for Muslims
Portuguese citizenship through marriage presents numerous advantages for Muslims looking to establish themselves in Portugal. If you follow these steps, your application will be processed properly. You can begin integrating into the Portuguese Islamic community.
From verifying eligibility and gathering essential documents each stage plays a crucial role in achieving your goal. Once granted, Portugal not only gives you a Citizenship Card, but you can also participate in the nation’s democratic processes.
In this way, you can become a Portuguese citizen by marrying a Portuguese person.
References:
- https://washingtondc.embaixadaportugal.mne.gov.pt/en/consular-services/consular-services/acquisition-of-portuguese-nationality-through-marriage
- https://saofrancisco.consuladoportugal.mne.gov.pt/en/consular-matters/consular-services/citizenship-through-marriage
