Many Angolans can acquire Portuguese nationality
As a result of its history, as with any country in the world, the territory of Portugal was not always limited to the territory that is today on the European continent and the islands of Madeira and the Azores.
In fact, until 1975, the territory of Portugal also consisted of territories located in Asia, Oceania and Africa.
Among them if finds Angola, in Africa, which was considered Portuguese territory until November 10, 1975, having become an independent state on November 11, 1975.
It is very important to say that those born in Angola up to 10 November 1975 ceased to be Portuguese citizens, not by the will of the Portuguese authorities or by the will of the Angolan authorities, but by virtue of the principles of international law. When there is a succession of States, that is, when a State becomes independent, people who were born in that territory lose the nationality they had until then and acquire the nationality of the new State that is formed.
In these cases and also in view of the principles of the international legal order, the State that ceases to be sovereign over the State that has become independent, may (as opposed to duty) produce legislation that sets out in which cases, exceptionally, people born in that territory will not lose their former nationality.
Portugal did not miss this opportunity and dealt with this matter in Decree-Law nº 308-A/75, of 24 June (which came to be regulated by Decree-Law nº 249/77, of 14 June) in which the cases in which Portuguese nationality may be retained for persons born before 11 November 1975 in Angola.
As the word indicates, to conserve refers to keeping something that you already had. However, it must be noted that this Decree-Law did not state any hypothesis that would allow all persons born in Angola before November 11, 1975 could retain Portuguese nationality, but only those who meet the necessary requirements. To know what these requirements are, you can also read Who are the Angolans who can retain Portuguese nationality.
It may not be an easy task to understand who, in fact, is entitled to apply for the conservation of Portuguese nationality. Therefore, if you wish to retain Portuguese nationality, we can help. To do this, you can respond to our pre-analysis form:
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