Our friends became Portuguese citizens in March 2025. Their lawyer had said that once the parents became citizens, they could start the application process for their 15-year-old son. However, after the application process started, the lawyer was informed by the Civil Registry that applicants that are older than 13 years of age must mandatorily submit an A2 Certificate in their Portuguese Citizenship application. From the beginning the certification was only wanted for only over 18 years old. The weird thing is that PLA courses offer lessons for the ones over 16 years old. It’s not clear what 13-16 year olds will do. Does anyone have any experience or knowledge on this subject?
For minor children the law doesn’t explicitly state that language certificate is necessary, but it does state that a connection to the Portuguese community is required, which is very vague and open to interpretation. It would be good to know if they are simply requiring language knowledge since that is more objective to measure.
Naturalization is covered by Secção III (Aquisição da nacionalidade por naturalização) Artigo 6.º
For people not born in Portugal, only adults can naturalize via 5 years residence (Artigo 6.º 1.):
“1 - O Governo concede a nacionalidade portuguesa, por naturalização, aos estrangeiros que satisfaçam cumulativamente os seguintes requisitos:
a) Serem maiores ou emancipados à face da lei portuguesa;”
Translation:
“1 - The Government grants Portuguese nationality, by naturalization, to foreigners who cumulatively meet the following requirements:
a) Be of legal age or emancipated under Portuguese law;”
Children can also naturalize, but only if they were physically born in Portugal (Artigo 6.º 2.):
“2 - O Governo concede a nacionalidade, por naturalização, aos menores nascidos no território português”
Translation:
“2 - The Government grants nationality, by naturalization, to minors born in Portuguese territory”
So the main path to citizenship for children is instead Secção I (Aquisição da nacionalidade por efeito da vontade) Artigo 2.º:
“(Aquisição por filhos menores ou incapazes)
Os filhos menores ou incapazes de pai ou mãe que adquira a nacionalidade portuguesa podem também adquiri-la, mediante declaração.”
Translation:
“(Acquisition by minor or incapacitated children)
The minor or incapacitated children of a father or mother who acquires Portuguese nationality may also acquire it, by means of a declaration.”
But this can be opposed if there is lack of an “effective connection”:
Artigo 9.º
(Fundamentos)
“1 - Constituem fundamento de oposição à aquisição da nacionalidade portuguesa por efeito da vontade: a) A inexistência de ligação efectiva à comunidade nacional;”
Translation:
“1 - The following are grounds for opposing the acquisition of Portuguese nationality by will: a) The lack of an effective link to the national community;”
If A2 is being asked explicitly by a Conservator Registry, it is impossible to run away from it (in my opinion). Tough one. But it is how Portugal is going to behave in the future…
But I guess the lawyer should have told you how this certificate could be obtained, no? E.g. CIPLE-e exam (versão escolar) or normal CIPLE exam, other courses. PLA are for the adults, right. Or he doesn’t know at all?
P.S. On the CAPLE site they write that CIPLE-e exam is for the children from 12 to 15 yrs old, and it is Portuguese as a foreign language, so I suppose it is what’s needed. But better check with a lawyer
P.P.S. I have heard that subscription to portuguese school works too as a connection, not all 5 years, but probably last year, but I am not sure about the time needed.
When the first application was made to GV, 6-7 years ago, the A2 certification requirement was only for people over 18. Now, it is required for people over 13, which ruined the plans. Their son is already over 16, the PLA certification and the lawyer has informed them that PLA certification is required.
If they are 16 presumably it’s easy for them to spend one summer in Portugal and take a PLA course like EdPro. Seems worth it for the citizenship! I wouldn’t say that’s really ruined anything.
Well, A2 is not a high requirement, and children learn languages easier than adults. Why it is ruining everything? It is not an absurd requirement to know language of the country of planned citizenship at basic level.
This new legacy came up suddenly and the summer plans has been already done and hard to make new plans for 150 hours. This change should be published to everyone in advance or never change the rule for the former applicants. There are still many people who are unaware of this rule change. I got my answer certification is required for those over 13 years of age.
Thanks
I agree the lack of information is frustrating. But that said, the cost of getting A2 via edpro or ciplemaster is definitely worth it for the passport, especially if the child is close to 18 at which point they would age out of the Article 2 citizenship option.