Portugal Overview
Portugal is the westernmost country of mainland Europe, situated on the Atlantic seaboard, and a member of the European Union since 1986. It is a developed country with a very high Human Development Index.
While Portugal is shifting towards business services, a third of its economy remains in manufacturing. It is also the world’s largest supplier of cork and enjoys the benefits of a strong tourism industry. With little of its own hydrocarbon energy resources, Portugal is committed to creating renewable sources of energy such as hydro, wind and solar power. Over 40% of the energy created in Portugal is from such resources, including the most efficient wind tower in the world.
A relatively small country of approximately 11 million people, Portugal is considered very safe and boasts a low crime rate. Its healthcare is well developed, offering both public and private systems. Portuguese is the main language, but English is also widely spoken, particularly by younger people and especially in the tourist regions. The country is a member of the Schengen area and has used the Euro as its currency since 2002.
Citizenship in Portugal
Portuguese citizenship can be acquired by those who are descended from Portuguese parents or grandparents; by marriage or civil union, or by birth in Portuguese territory.
In relation to non-European families following the Residence-by-Investment program, it is possible to apply for citizenship after six years of legal residence in Portugal, if
- The applicant is legally considered to be an adult, i.e., 18 years’ old
- The applicant has been a resident in Portugal for at least six years
- The applicant has basic (A2 international level) knowledge of Portuguese language
- The applicant has not been convicted for a crime which corresponds to a penalty equal to or more than three years according to Portuguese law
Portugal allows dual citizenship.