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What are the educational requirements of my children to obtain citizenship in Portugal through the golden visa?

Is it mandatory for the children of a Portuguese golden visa holder to have an education of at least one year in Portugal to get citizenship? I have met all the requirements of citizenship under the golden visa. I have been told that my children cannot get citizenship until they have spent at least one year in an educational institution in Portugal. I was not informed about this at the time of application. My children have met the minimum stay requirement of 7 days a year under the golden visa. What is the legal basis of this?


Answers
  • NEXT/Gali Macedo & Associados
    July 25, 2023

    Minor children are not required to take a language exam or attend a Portuguese school. However, there is a risk of them being denied Portuguese citizenship due to a lack of connection to Portugal. It is advised for Golden Visa applicants to include minor children in the Golden Visa application of the parents and that the children should take Portuquese classes outside Portugal to demonstrate a connection to the country. It is also a possibility that the investor can simply apply for the Golden Visa, and once they have become a Portuguese citizen (after five years and meeting all the requirements under Portuguese nationality law), they can then ask for Portuguese citizenship on behalf of their children through family reunification. It is advised for potential Golden Visa applicants to include minor children in the Golden Visa application, and that minor children attend Portuguese classes outside the country to demonstrate their connection to Portugal and avoid the risk of denial of the Portuguese citizenship request.

  • Lamares, Capela & Associados, Sociedade de Advogados
    July 25, 2023

    The fact of fulfilling the Golden Visa requirements (7 days of stay per year) is relevant for the renewal of the residence card and for obtaining the Portuguese citizenship through residence in Portugal for a minimum period of 5 years. The best way would be for the parents to apply for Portuguese nationality first and then the minor children can apply for nationality after.

  • July 25, 2023

    Regarding children's citizenship application, what the law requests is proof of connection with Portugal. Being enrolled in a Portuguese school is one such connection proof.