This is one of the most frequent questions from those wishing to become Portuguese citizens. The answer depends on the type of application and the seriousness of the case.
For nationality by naturalisation, the law requires that the applicant has not been convicted of a prison sentence of three years or more, by final judgment, for an offence punishable under Portuguese law.
- Convictions with sentences below three years are generally not a legal barrier.
- More serious convictions, at or above this threshold, may lead to refusal of the application.
In naturalisation procedures, applicants must submit criminal record certificates from their country of birth, their country of nationality, and any countries where they have lived after reaching the age of criminal responsibility. The Portuguese criminal record is obtained directly from the registry offices.
In attribution procedures — such as for children of Portuguese citizens — a criminal record is not required, so its existence is generally not a ground for refusal.
Therefore, having a criminal record does not automatically mean a nationality application will be rejected. It depends on the conviction, the sentence imposed, and the type of procedure involved.
Whenever there is uncertainty, it is advisable to seek specialised legal advice before submitting the application to assess potential risks and define the best strategy.
Nationality Department
Ana Santos Fontes | Maria Moura Fonseca | Ana Luíza Fronczak
