How do you submit a Portuguese citizenship application, and who decides it?

Checked on 2026-10-25

Without a lawyer, you send the application form, documents and payment by registered post to a Balcão da Nacionalidade, or hand them in there, says the Ministry of Justice. Lawyers and solicitors must file online. The IRN registry processes the file, and the Minister of Justice decides naturalisation. Fees depend on the application type.

Key facts

What	The source says	Source
Without a lawyer	Send the application by registered post to a Balcão da Nacionalidade, or hand it in there yourself	IRN, “Submeter pedido de nacionalidade”, Onde pedir; “Pedido de nacionalidade por correio”, Como
With a lawyer or solicitor	Online only; mandatory for lawyers and solicitors since 1 December 2023	IRN, “Submeter pedido de nacionalidade”
Form	The application form model for your type of request (page “Impressos”)	IRN, “Pedido de nacionalidade por correio”, Como, step 2
Payment by post	Certified or bank cheque in euros payable to IRN, IP, or credit card via IRN’s payment platform	IRN, “Pedido de nacionalidade por correio”, Como, step 3
Fee	Varies by type of application; shown on the form; set in the Regulamento Emolumentar dos Registos e do Notariado	IRN, both pages, Quanto custa
Tracking	After the file is entered, you get an email with a code to follow it online	IRN, “Pedido de nacionalidade por correio”, O que acontece a seguir
Who decides naturalisation	The Minister of Justice	Lei 37/81, art. 7.1
Stamp duty	The naturalisation process and its documents are not subject to the Stamp Duty Code	Lei 37/81, art. 7.2
From when you are Portuguese	From the date of registration	Lei 37/81, art. 12

Two channels

The Ministry of Justice’s nationality pages (run by IRN, the Institute of Registries and Notary) describe two ways in:

Yourself, without a representative: the application can be sent by post or delivered at a Balcão da Nacionalidade (nationality desk) by the person who wants Portuguese nationality.
Through a lawyer or solicitor: the online “Nacionalidade online” service is only for lawyers and solicitors registered with their professional body in Portugal, and its use has been mandatory for them since 1 December 2023. If you have a representative, the application can only be made online.

Applying by post, step by step

The IRN guidance lists four steps:

Gather all the mandatory documents for your type of request. The page refers to the guide “Como obter a nacionalidade portuguesa” or the Linha Registo for the list.
Fill in the application form that matches your type of request (available on IRN’s “Impressos” page).
Pay by certified cheque or bank cheque, in euros, from an institution represented in Portugal, payable to IRN, IP; or pay by credit card on IRN’s payment platform. Other kinds of cheque are not accepted.
Send the application, the documents and the proof of payment by registered post to a Balcão da Nacionalidade.

IRN then checks that the file is complete and enters it into the system. When it does, you receive an email with a consultation code to follow the process online.

Cost

IRN says the cost depends on the type of application, is stated on the application form, and is set in the Regulamento Emolumentar dos Registos e do Notariado. Under the Nationality Law, naturalisation of children born in Portugal and of stateless people is free (art. 6.12).

The decision

The Nationality Law says naturalisation is granted, on the applicant’s request, by decision of the Minister of Justice (art. 7.1). For identification and to check the requirements, the law provides for the collection of a facial image, fingerprints and height, by staff accredited by IRN or the consular services, or at self-service terminals in Espaços Cidadão (art. 12-C). The change of nationality takes effect only from the date it is registered (art. 12).

After Lei Orgânica 1/2026 (in force 19 May 2026), IRN says some changes depend on an amendment to the Nationality Regulation, which the law requires within 90 days.

Sources

Change history

2026-10-25: Page created

This is general information, not legal advice, and Lumen is not a law firm. Rules change and offices differ: check the official sources above before you act. Found something wrong or out of date? Write to support@lumen.observer.