Blog on ASAG - Sociedade de Advogados, SP RL

Recognition of a Common-Law Partnership Formed Abroad – A Secure Path to Portuguese Citizenship

Fri, 16 Jan 2026 10:00:00 +0000

In Portugal, once a foreign common-law partnership is officially recognized by a Portuguese court, it becomes legally equivalent to a civil marriage for nationality purposes. This means that, after the judicial recognition process is completed, the foreign partner becomes eligible to apply for Portuguese citizenship — provided that all legal requirements are met.

This is a complex and highly technical procedure, typically taking 6 months to 1 year depending on the court’s schedule and the strength of the evidence submitted.Successful recognition requires a combination of documentary and witness evidence, supported by a clear and well-prepared legal strategy.

Golden Visa in Portugal: What the New Nationality Law Means for Investors

Thu, 27 Nov 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Portugal remains a top choice for global investors, but the legal framework is shifting. Recent legislative developments are set to transform the Nationality Law, significantly impacting the journey toward Portuguese citizenship. In this article, we explain these changes and why the “Portuguese Dream” through the Golden Visa remains a smart strategy.

The New Path to Nationality

The new version of the Nationality Law introduces significant changes to the residence time required to apply for citizenship:

Foreign Judgment Recognition in Portugal: Validating Your International Civil Acts

Fri, 04 Jul 2025 10:00:00 +0000

If you are a Portuguese citizen or a resident who has undergone a significant legal change abroad—such as a divorce or an adoption—your journey doesn’t end with the final decree in that country. To ensure those rights and status changes are recognized in Portugal, you must go through a specific legal process known as Foreign Judgment Recognition (known in Portugal as Revisão de Sentença Estrangeira).

What is Foreign Judgment Recognition?

In simple terms, a judgment issued by a court outside of Portugal does not automatically have legal effects within Portuguese territory. The recognition process is a formal review by a Portuguese Court of Appeal (Tribunal da Relação) to “validate” the foreign decision, ensuring it complies with Portuguese law and public policy.

(Almost) Complete Guide to Portuguese Nationality

Wed, 04 Jun 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Holding a Portuguese passport is much more than just a travel document; it represents a reconnection with your roots and opens doors to living, working, and studying throughout the European Union. However, we know that the legal path can often feel like a labyrinth. In this guide, we demystify the most sought-after processes and explain how our team transforms complexity into simplicity.

1. Who is eligible for Portuguese Nationality?

There are numerous pathways provided by law, but today we will focus only on the most common routes: