Portuguese nationality by origin can be obtained by those who have a Portuguese ascendant of origin in the 2nd degree of the direct line (grandfather/grandmother) in the following cases:
• Born abroad or even in Portugal and has a Portuguese grandfather/grandmother who has Portuguese nationality by origin, provided that: the applicant has: (a) proof of knowledge of the Portuguese language (this proof is not required for nationals and natives of a country where Portuguese is the official language); (b) a certificate of criminal record in which, if there is a record of crimes punishable by law in Portugal, they do not exceed a prison sentence of more than 3 years and present the legally required documents with the requirements required by law.
• Born in one of the former Portuguese colonies (Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, São Tomé and Príncipe, Mozambique) BEFORE the independence of these former colonies and have a Portuguese grandfather/grandmother of origin born in Mainland Portugal or the Azores and Madeira Islands, provided they present the documents required by law and meet the other requirements (namely not having been convicted of a prison sentence of more than three years), these applicants may request the Retention of Portuguese nationality by applying for Birth Transcription at the Central Registry Office of Lisbon under the terms of DL 308-A/75.
• If you were born in one of the above-mentioned former Portuguese colonies AFTER the Independence of these former colonies, or in other foreiner coutry, or evan in Portugal and you have a grandfather/grandmother who was born and died in these territories BEFORE the independence of these territories, then applicants can apply for Portuguese nationality for the grandfather/grandmother who, having died BEFORE independence, died Portuguese (provided that the grandfather/grandmother) did not lose that nationality before dying).
Note: Applicants must prove their right through the documentation required by law, namely the birth certificates of all parties involved (their own, their father or mother, children of this grandfather/grandmother and their grandfather/grandmother) and possibly marriage certificates, by means of a photocopy of the original book apostilled or legalized at the Portuguese consulate, depending on the case. Filiations must be established during the minority (or if during the majority, the filiations must have been established by legal action (latest amendment to the law), each case must be analyzed beforehand.
Contact the office for a detailed analysis of each case.