Conservation of nationality for Luso-Africans

Citizens of countries that went through the process of decolonization may be entitled to acquire Portuguese nationality.

OVERVIEW

Portugal foresees in its legislation the possibility of obtaining nationality by attribution, acquisition, of reacquiring nationality, as well as of losing it.

The access to independence of countries that went through the process of decolonization such as Angola, Mozambique, Cape Verde, Guinea and São Tomé and Príncipe, created, as a relevant fact, the automatic acquisition, by people born in that territory, of the nationality of the new country and the consequent loss of Portuguese nationality by individuals who were born there and who until that date were Portuguese.

However, Portugal considered that it was convenient to provide for situations in which, exceptionally, those who had lost their Portuguese nationality could keep it provided they proved a special connection with Portugal or an unequivocal expression of will in this regard, with the publication of DL no. 308-A/75, of 24 June, which guarantees the possibility of retaining or regaining nationality for people who are children, grandchildren or great-grandchildren of Portuguese nationals.

Thus, once the conditions for retaining Portuguese nationality have been verified, the certificate will be transcribed under the terms of DL nº 249/77, of 14 June, resulting in the original Portuguese nationality of the applicant, which may be transmitted to children born after independence, as well as as it will allow spouses to acquire nationality through marriage.

people born before November 11, 1975, in Angola, were once Portuguese nationals, but after the country's independence these people lost Portuguese nationality.

However, under the DL nº 308-A/75, of June 24th, it is possible to retain (recover) Portuguese nationality if they are children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of Portuguese.

If from the analysis of the documents it is found that it is in a position to retain Portuguese nationality, the certificate will be transcribed in accordance with the DL nº 249/77, of June 14th, resulting in the original Portuguese nationality, which can be transmitted to children born after independence, as well as allowing spouses to acquire nationality through marriage.

Our specialized team:

Isabel Comte is our lawyer responsible for nationality processes at Martins Castro. With extensive experience in the subject, Isabel is the author of the book Lei da Nacionalidade Portuguesa Annotated and Commented, having performed the duties of conservator at the Conservatory of Central Registries in Lisbon. Today, she is part of the Martins Castro team and will be responsible for analyzing our clients' cases.

What is included in the consultancy?

  • Analysis of your case and your information;
  • What documents are required to submit the process;
  • How to legalize documents to be valid in Portugal;
  • How to pay the registration fee.

Prior analysis form:

language