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How can my mother obtain Portuguese citizenship?

My mother was born in Mozambique during the Portuguese rule in the 1960s. I read that persons born in a former Portuguese colony may be entitled to citizenship. I want to know what the requirements and procedures would be.


Answers
  • Lamares, Capela & Associados, Sociedade de Advogados
    February 17, 2020

    There is very specific legislation concerning Portuguese nationality for citizens born in the colonies before independence. Most citizens who were once Portuguese lost their nationality and only some are now entitled to reclaim it. First, we would have to check if she was in fact Portuguese, then if she ever claims the Portuguese nationality sometime between independence and now, then we need to analyze her document to try to find a way to do it. She would only retain the Portuguese nationality if she was descended to the third degree of an individual born in mainland Portugal or adjacent islands; or had her domicile in mainland Portugal or in the aforementioned Islands for more than five years.