Frequently Asked Questions

➤ Nationality Legal Services - Application for Portuguese nationality through descent, marriage, and naturalization. AMADA LEGAL assists clients in all necessary actions from eligibility assessment, legal review of documents to preparation and submission of the application.

➤ Civil Registry and Consulate Services - Issuance of certificates of birth, marriage, divorce, and death as well as recognition of signatures and certification of copies of official documents.

➤ Retrieval and Legal Review of Documents - Retrieve Portuguese and international legal documents and verification of authenticity and validity.

➤ Translation and Notarisation Services - Translation to Portuguese and notarisation of documents in Portugal and internationally.

➤ We assist clients from all over the world and we are able to communicate in several languages.

➤ Portugal allows dual citizenship, meaning you can keep your current nationality while obtaining Portuguese citizenship.

➤ Individuals with Portuguese parents, grandparents, and in some cases great-grandparents, may qualify if they meet the legal requirements.

➤ Individuals with Portuguese spouses may qualify if they meet the legal requirements.

➤ Individuals who are long-term residents in Portugal may qualify if they meet the legal requirements.

➤ Language requirements vary depending on your qualification pathway. Certain types of applications, especially through descent for children or grandchildren, language proficiency may not be necessary.

➤ For nationality by descent and marriage, residence in Portugal is generally not required. For naturalization, minimum residency periods apply.

➤ We will advise on the specific requirements for your case and any necessary proof of connection to Portugal.

➤ Foreign nationals may enter Portugal through several channels, depending on their nationality and purpose of stay. EU/EEA citizens enjoy freedom of movement, while third-country nationals require appropriate visas or permits. Entry is generally permitted for tourism, business, study, work, or family reunification purposes.

➤ In all cases, applicants must meet general requirements, particularly, demonstrating adequate means of subsistence, accommodation means, valid health insurance coverage, clear criminal record as well as compliance with specific documentation requirements that vary by residence type.

➤ Once a suitable residence pathway is identified, the process typically starts with a visa application at the Portuguese consulate in your country of residence, followed by an application for a residence permit in Portugal.

➤ After five years of continuous legal residence, foreign nationals may apply for permanent residence status. The law also provides for accelerated pathways in specific circumstances, such as for EU citizens or those married to Portuguese nationals.

➤ The execution time of the services by AMADA LEGAL varies according to the complexity of the matter that the Client entrusted us. We provide an approximate timeline once we analyse your case.

➤ The processing timeline by the Portuguese authorities varies based on individual circumstances and the type of application but generally ranges from 6 to 24 months. After we review you case we can provide realistic timelines based on your specific situation.

➤ Stage 1 - You contact us and indicate the services you wish to obtain, and we have a first consultation to understand your specific case.

➤ Stage 2 - We analyse the information you provided and prepare our legal services quote with the cost of each action, therefore it is only after the first contact that we indicate our fees and payment terms.

➤ Stage 3 - We clarify all your questions about our legal services quote and, if necessary, insert modifications according to your requirements.

➤ Stage 4 - We receive your acceptance of our legal services quote and initial payment as stipulated in the quote.

➤ Stage 5 - We execute the legal services detailed in our quote with all the agility to achieve your objectives as quickly as possible.

➤ The information and documents necessary for the execution of the services by AMADA LEGAL varies according to each specific case that the Client entrust us, therefore we can only indicate what is exactly necessary after we analyse your situation.

➤ Generally required documents include identification documents, birth certificates, proof of descent, marriage certificates, and proof of residence. Each case is unique, and we will provide a customized list of required documents after the initial legal consultation.

➤ AMADA LEGAL assists clients in all necessary actions from eligibility assessment, retrieval and legal review of documents to the preparation and submission of the application and monitoring up to conclusion.