Moving to Portugal from South Africa: Go-to Guide!
Discover how to move to Portugal from South Africa, including the different visa types, cost of living, how to find jobs, open a bank account, and more.
Portuguese citizenship for South Africans
Portuguese citizenship is a great option for South Africans who are looking to obtain a second citizenship.
The Portuguese passport is very powerful, and it makes life easier when travelling as you can avoid the tiring immigration lines with visa free access to several countries. Portugal boasts of a strong economy and the government is revamping immigration laws to attract talent from over the globe.
In this guide we discuss the different routes to Portuguese citizenship as well help you understand how to transfer money to South Africa using Wise at the mid-market exchange rate to make your move seamless.
How can South Africans apply for and get Portuguese citizenship⁵?
There are several routes to Portuguese citizenship. You can determine which works best for you depending on your individual circumstances. These include:
- Citizenship by birth
- Citizenship by descent
- Citizenship by marriage
- The naturalisation procedure
- Citizenship by adoption
- Citizenship by investment
We break these down in the sections below.
Different routes to obtaining Portuguese citizenship
Citizenship by Birth
The country offers citizenship by birth. This means that if you are born in Portugal, you become a citizen automatically. You are eligible for citizenship even if you are born outside the country but one or both of your parents must be Portuguese citizens.
Citizenship by Marriage
You can also become a Portuguese citizen by marrying someone that holds the nationality.
The Naturalisation Route (Residency in Portugal)
If you don’t meet the criteria for the two routes mentioned above, fret not since you may be able to apply for citizenship through naturalisation.
Eligibility for this route requires you to prove that you have been living in Portugal legally and uninterruptedly for at least five years before applying. Additionally, proficiency in Portuguese as well as good knowledge of the culture are must-haves while taking this route of citizenship.
Citizenship by Adoption
Citizenship to the country can also be gained if one is adopted by Portuguese nationals. You must have been legally adopted by your adoptive parents who were both legally resident in Portugal at the time of your adoption.
The adoption application process is similar to other types in that you need to provide ID, adoption papers, and evidence of your connection to Portugal.
What are the requirements to get Portuguese citizenship?
The requirements for each route of citizenship are different and it is important you are aware of each of these. We list some of them below:
Citizenship by Marriage:
Being married to your Portuguese spouse for a minimum of 3 years with the marriage registered in the Portuguese national system. You need to file an application with the country’s consulate. This will require you to prove that your marriage is genuine, and you may be asked for documentation about the same. You also need to show proof of language proficiency to ensure you integrate well into Portuguese culture.
The Naturalisation procedure:
This route allows you to become a Portuguese citizen if:
- You must have lived in Portugal for at least five years
- You have a good knowledge of the Portuguese language
- You have no prior criminal convictions
Which documents may be required⁶?
| Route | Documents needed |
|---|---|
| Citizenship by birth | Birth certificate of the child (containing all pertinent information regarding the birth) A Portuguese passport and identification card of one or both Portuguese parents Birth certificate of non-Portuguese parent legalized by the Government of the country of birth |
| Citizenship by descent | A birth certificate authenticated by Apostille and officially translated is required, this document should show that the applicant’s parents recognized him or her while he or she was a minor The birth certificate of a Portuguese grandparent The birth certificate of the parent who is a Portuguese citizen and the grandparent of the applicant must show that this parent was recognized by his or her parents while he or she was still underage A document demonstrating that the applicant has a good knowledge of Portuguese idiom A criminal record check issued by the country where the applicant was born and all countries where he has lived after turning 16 |
| Citizenship by marriage | A certified copy of the applicant’s birth certificate, legalized by Apostille (a certificate certifying that the signature on the document is genuine) or by a Portuguese consulate A complete copy of the Portuguese spouse’s birth certificate, issued within the last 6 months, showing that your marriage has been fully registered Copy of spouse’s passport, together with his/her identification card Criminal record certificate issued by authorities of the country of birth and countries where the applicant has lived after reaching 16 years of age FBI criminal record authenticated by Apostille A handwritten letter explaining the motive for the nationality request, along with proof of knowledge of the Portuguese language |
| The naturalisation procedure | Proof of residence in Portugal Birth certificate Marriage certificate (if applicable) Criminal record Proof of proficiency in the Portuguese language |
| Citizenship by investment | Valid passport Two passport-size photos Proof of a clean criminal record |
| Citizenship by adoption | Provide ID Adoption papers Evidence of your connection to Portugal |
Send money to South Africa from Portugal using the mid-market rate
If you’re a South African expat living in Portugal, Wise can help you save money¹ when making international money transfers back to South Africa.
Banks and money transfer services use the mid-market rate when they trade between themselves, but they rarely pass it on to you. Instead, they often mark up the rate to make extra money.¹⁰
It is recommended to check the exchange rate offered by your bank against the mid-market rate, which is similar to the exchange rate shown on Google. Say no to hidden fees!
The mid-market exchange rate is the rate that banks use to transfer money between them and is considered the fairest rate in the market. Find out what you would pay for an international money transfer with Wise:
Wise customers don’t have to pay an additional markup fee but only a small transparent fee to make an international transaction¹. That’s because Wise uses the mid-market rate for overseas payments!
With Wise, South African expats can save money¹ on an international money transfer by availing low fees and also do away with the markup on the mid-market exchange rate when making international payments from Portugal to South Africa.
Can I hold dual South African-Portuguese citizenship⁷?
Yes, the country allows dual citizenship, which means you can retain South African citizenship while enjoying the benefits that come with a Portuguese passport.
Can I get Portuguese citizenship through investment⁸?
The Golden visa program was introduced by the government of Portugal back in 2012. Under this program you need to make a qualifying investment and only need to live for an average of seven days per year in the country during the 5-year residence period to be eligible for citizenship. This makes it one of the most sought-after citizenships by investment programs in Europe.
Listed below are the types of investments that are eligible for a residence permit:
- Invest in a property worth at least €500,000, the minimum investment amount is €400,000 if you purchase in a low-density area
- Make an investment of at least €350,000 in a qualifying Investment Fund
- Transfer €1 million or more to your new Portuguese bank account
- Hire at least ten Portuguese nationals to work in your company
- Make a capital transfer of at least €350,000 for research activities in science or technology
- Support the arts or help rebuild national heritage by making a capital transfer of at least €250,000
Can I get Portuguese citizenship through descent or ancestry?
Yes, the easiest way to get Portuguese citizenship is through your parents or grandparents, it’s possible for people who have at least one parent or grandparent who was born in Portugal.
Documents needed typically include a proof of ancestry and test on Portuguese culture and history.
Portugal citizenship fees and costs⁹
| Route | Fees in EUR | Fees in ZAR |
|---|---|---|
| Citizenship by birth | 225 | 4297.5 |
| Citizenship by descent | 175 | 3342 |
| Citizenship by marriage | 250 | 4775 |
| The naturalisation procedure | 250 | 4775 |
How long does application processing take?
The process of becoming a Portuguese citizen is well documented but there are several steps that you need to take.
You can start by getting in touch with the Portuguese Embassy if you’re applying from your home country then you need to do the following:
- Fill out the application form
- Submit all the necessary documents with the application fees
- Send your application along with all supporting documentation to the Portuguese Consulate for processing
Your application will be sent to the Immigration Service after successful submission of documents as well as completing necessary formalities. They will review and assess your application based on several criteria before giving you a response.
Processing times are based on the country of origin of the applicant – for Europeans the process takes a couple of months.
As a South African, the processing time can be between a few months to up to two years depending on how quickly the government processes your paperwork and whether there are any issues with your application.
If you want to get a Portuguese passport and become one of Portugal's 11 million tax residents, you've come to the right place! By following the guidelines listed above, you can make your dream of Portuguese citizenship finally come true. This guide has provided insights into these routes, outlined the documentation needed, and shared helpful tips for managing international money transfers from Portugal to South Africa through Wise to support your journey.
*Disclaimer: This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute immigration, legal, tax or other professional advice, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.
Sources:
- Please see Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise Fees & Pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
- Transaction speed claimed depends on funds availability, approval by Wise’s proprietary verification system and systems availability of our partners’ banking system, and may not be available for all transactions.
- Eligibility is subject to verification of customers identity. Wise may request additional documents to verify a customer's identity.
- Please note that certain products or features may not be available in all regions. Please visit www.wise.com to check for availability and learn more about our offerings.
- Routes to citizenship
- Documents needed
- Dual citizenship
- Citizenship by investment
- Fees
- Wise - Mid-market rate and markups
*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.
We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.
Money without borders
Find out more
Your all-in-one guide to cost of living in Portugal for South Africans
Cost of living in Portugal: Your one-stop guide for all you need to know while planning a move from South Africa. Plus, money transfers with Wise!
