Dual citizenship with Portugal in 2026: is it allowed, how to keep your first passport

The main thing in a minute: does Portugal allow two passports

Let's start with the essence, without streamlined formulations. Portugal is one of the most loyal countries in Europe to the idea of ​​dual citizenship. The Nationality Law does not contain a requirement to renounce your previous passport when obtaining a Portuguese one. You can become a citizen of Portugal and at the same time retain Russian, Ukrainian, Kazakh, Israeli or any other citizenship - there are no obstacles from Portugal itself.

Moreover, Portugal allows not only dual, but also multiple citizenship: theoretically, you can hold three or more passports, and this does not violate Portuguese law. The principle of a loyal attitude towards multiple citizenship has been enshrined in national legislation since 1981 and has remained stable since then.

But here it is important to immediately fix the key fork around which the entire article is built. Portugal's resolution and your home country's position are two different planes:

• Portugal does not require renunciation and does not object to second citizenship.
• Your country of origin may have its own rules - from complete permission to the obligation to notify the authorities, and in rare cases to a ban.

It is at the junction of these two planes that practical questions arise, especially among Russian citizens. We go to them below.

Dual and Multiple Citizenship: What's the Difference?

In everyday speech, the terms “dual” and “second” citizenship are often confused, but there is a legal nuance between them that is useful to understand.

Dual citizenship in the strict sense - this is a situation where a special agreement has been concluded between two states, according to which they mutually recognize each other’s citizens and agree on their responsibilities (for example, on military service and taxes). There are few such agreements in the world. Russia has historically had such an agreement only with a very limited number of countries, and Portugal is not one of them.

Second (multiple) citizenship - this is a much more common situation: a person has passports of two or more countries, between which there is no special agreement. Each state considers him exclusively as its citizen and is not obliged to take into account whether he has another passport.

In relation to Portugal and Russia, we are talking specifically about second (multiple) citizenship, and not about “dual” in the contractual sense. In practice, this means a simple thing: being on the territory of Portugal, for her you are a Portuguese; being in Russia, for her you are a Russian. Each country sees “its half” and is not obliged to recognize the other. This logic determines all your further responsibilities.

Why Portugal is friendly to second passports

Portugal's commitment to multiple citizenship is not an accident, but part of a deliberate public policy that has historical and economic roots.

Firstly, Portugal is a country with a huge diaspora. Millions of people of Portuguese origin live in Brazil, the USA, France, Canada, and African countries. Permission to hold two passports allows these people and their descendants to maintain contact with their historical homeland without severing relations with their country of residence. Hence the special status of the CPLP (Commonwealth of Portuguese-speaking States) countries.

Secondly, as a member of the European Union and the Schengen area, Portugal is interested in attracting capital, specialists and investors. The requirement to renounce their previous citizenship would scare off a significant part of potential new citizens - few are ready to burn bridges with their home country. A loyal policy makes a Portuguese passport more attractive.

Thirdly, this corresponds to the pan-European trend. About 150 countries of the world, that is, three quarters of UN member states, today allow dual citizenship in one form or another. Portugal is in the mainstream, and not among the exceptions like China, India or a number of Gulf monarchies that do not recognize a second passport.

For the applicant, this means peace of mind: by obtaining Portuguese citizenship legally - by naturalization, descent or through a residence permit - you are not obliged to say goodbye to your first passport on the initiative of Lisbon.

How do you get a Portuguese passport?

Maintaining your first citizenship is important on any route to a Portuguese passport, so let’s briefly go through the main routes. All of them ultimately lead to citizenship, in which renunciation of the previous passport is not required.

• Naturalization by years of residence. The classic route: first a residence permit (via Golden Visa, D7 passive income visa, D8 digital nomad visa, work or family reunification), then accumulation of the residency qualification and application for citizenship. Details are in the guide Portuguese citizenship by naturalization.
• By origin. If you have Portuguese roots - parents or grandparents - it is possible to travel by blood, bypassing many years of residence.
• By marriage or partnership with a Portuguese citizen subject to a number of conditions.
• Special grounds - for example, for the descendants of Sephardic Jews (this program has become more stringent over time, the relevance needs to be checked) and for citizens of CPLP countries on preferential terms.

The general logic for a foreign applicant is usually this: residence permit - permanent residence - citizenship. We provide a detailed overview of the options in the material about Portuguese citizenship and separately about Portuguese citizenship for Russians.

Conditions for maintaining the first passport: table by country

The most practical question is: will my own country, rather than Portugal, allow me to keep a second passport? From Lisbon, we repeat, there are no restrictions. Then everything depends on the legislation of the state of your current citizenship. Let's collect the guideline in a table - but this is just a guideline, and not a legal opinion: the rules change, and ultimately they need to be checked with the current law of your country.

The conclusion from the table is simple: on the Portuguese side the door is always open, but whether your native country will “let you out” to keep both passports is a question of its legislation. For Russians, the answer is “yes, but with the obligation to notify,” and there is a separate large section about this below.

What does a Portuguese passport give in addition to the first one?

Since the first passport remains with you, the second one becomes a pure acquisition - a set of new opportunities without losing the old ones. What exactly does Portuguese citizenship add:

• Full EU citizenship. The right to live, work, study and do business in any EU country without visas or permits - not only in Portugal.
• Schengen. Unlike some other EU countries, Portugal is part of the Schengen area, making travel within Europe easier.
• A strong passport for travel. Visa-free or simplified entry into a large number of countries around the world.
• Transfer to children. EU citizenship is inherited by children, which changes the planning horizon for the entire family.
• Access to European services. Education, medicine, EU banking system, protection from European institutions.

We write in detail about the roadmap for traveling with a Portuguese passport in the article about visa-free possibilities of Portugal passport. The key idea of ​​the section: since there is no need to renounce your first citizenship, the second passport works as an addition - you expand the list of your rights without losing anything from your existing ones.

Typical mistakes and misconceptions about dual citizenship

Over the years of practice, a list of the same misconceptions accumulates, which cost people dearly. Let's take them straight.

• “Portugal will force you to give up your Russian passport.” No. Lisbon does not require refusal on any route to obtain citizenship.
• “I received a second passport - you can remain silent.” A dangerous misconception for Russians. The obligation to notify the Ministry of Internal Affairs is established by law, and there is liability for silence beyond the deadline.
• “A second passport automatically deprives me of a Russian one.” No, the acquisition of foreign citizenship does not in itself terminate Russian citizenship. Renunciation of citizenship is a separate voluntary procedure.
• “If I change my citizenship, I will stop paying taxes in Russia.” Taxes are based on residency (days of residence), not on passport. Citizenship is not an argument here.
• “Since I have a second passport, in Portugal I will be tried as a foreigner.” No: in Portuguese territory you are Portuguese for her, and vice versa. Each country sees only “its” side.

The common root of all these mistakes is the confusion of three different things: host country permission, home country responsibilities, and tax residency. If you keep them separate, the picture becomes clearer.

An expert's view: how to navigate the path without legal surprises

Let’s draw practical conclusions and look at where people most often stumble, wasting time and money.

• Separate the two planes. First answer whether your home country allows a second passport, and only then deal with the Portuguese side. For Russians, the answer is “permits, but obliges to notify.”
• Plan ahead for notice. Include submitting a notification to the Ministry of Internal Affairs in your schedule for obtaining citizenship as a mandatory item with your own deadline, and not as “I’ll sort it out later.”
• Check the law on the date of application. Russian legislation on notifications is actively changing - what was true a year ago could be updated. Please check any deadlines and forms against the current edition.
• Count days, not passports. Tax residency in both Portugal and Russia is determined by residence. Plan your days consciously and, if your income structure is complex, engage a tax consultant.

Fair disclaimer: This article is an overview and not a legal opinion or a guarantee. Immigration and tax laws in both countries are changing, and decisions for an individual depend on the details of their situation. Therefore, the final steps should always be checked with the current law and the relevant specialist.

And if you still want to renounce your first citizenship

There is also the opposite problem: a person deliberately wants to keep only one passport - for example, to simplify the tax picture, for personal reasons or because of the requirements of a third country. It is important to understand here that this is a separate voluntary procedure not related to obtaining Portuguese citizenship.

A few landmarks:

• From the Portuguese side renunciation of previous citizenship is not necessary, so the initiative always comes from the person himself.
• Renunciation of Russian citizenship - this is an independent legal process with its own conditions: the absence of unfulfilled obligations to the state, tax debts, and in some cases - the presence of another citizenship or guarantees of obtaining it, so that a person is not left stateless at all.
• There is no need to rush. Since both passports can be held legally, giving up the first one is a choice, not a forced step. Many people retain both citizenships for years without any problems.
• An interesting nuance of the reform: According to the updated rules, holders of multiple citizenship themselves can, if they wish, renounce Portuguese citizenship using a simplified procedure - that is, flexibility works in both directions.

Conclusion: giving up your first passport is an option, not an obligation. For most Russians and CIS citizens, the optimal strategy is to retain both citizenships by correctly fulfilling the notification obligation.

Citizens of the Russian Federation: obligation to notify about second citizenship

This is the most important section for Russians, and extreme precision is needed here. Russia does not prohibit its citizens from having a second passport - the law does not directly deprive a person of Russian citizenship for acquiring a foreign one. But Russian legislation establishes the obligation to notify the state of the new status.

The essence of the requirement:

• Need to notify on acquiring citizenship of a foreign state, as well as on obtaining a residence permit or other document giving the right to permanent residence abroad.
• Submission deadline - within the period established by law after receiving the status (in practice - within 60 days; for those who permanently live abroad, the starting point and procedure have specific features).
• Where to submit - to a unit of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia in person, through a proxy, by mail or, as services develop, online; For those living abroad, the procedure for notification through consular offices is discussed.
• Responsibility for failure to notify is provided for by law - from administrative to more serious, with possible fines and other sanctions.

Separately, we note: legislation in this area is actively changing. At the end of 2025 - beginning of 2026, initiatives were discussed that would expand the notification obligation for Russians permanently living abroad and increase liability. Therefore, we deliberately do not present hard numbers and wording here as unshakable - current deadlines, forms and sanctions must be checked with the current version of the law at the time of your application. This is a case where outdated information can be costly.

How to submit a notification correctly and not violate the deadline

Since there is an obligation, let’s figure out how to fulfill it in practice so as not to receive complaints. The logic of the procedure is generally stable, even if the details are adjusted.

• Determine the starting point. The period usually begins to run from the date of acquisition of foreign citizenship or receipt of a document of permanent residence. For those who learned about the status or entered the Russian Federation later, their own rules of reference apply - this point should be clarified in advance.
• Prepare your documents. You will need a Russian passport, a document on another citizenship or residence permit (with a translation and, if necessary, an apostille) and a completed notification in the established form.
• Select your serving method. Traditionally - in person to the department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs at the place of residence or stay, by mail or through the consulate when living abroad. Availability of online filing depends on the current status of services.
• Save your confirmation. You should still have a tear-off part of the notice with an acceptance mark on your hands - this is your proof that the duty was completed on time.

The key principle is not to procrastinate. The notification is in the nature of informing the state, it does not deprive you of your second passport and does not create problems in itself. It is silence beyond the established period that creates problems. Therefore, it is wise to integrate the notification into the overall plan for obtaining Portuguese citizenship as a mandatory step, rather than remembering it after the fact.

Consular registration and communication with Russia after the second passport

In addition to notification, Russians moving to Portugal have questions about consular registration and maintaining normal connections with their homeland. This is not an obligation under threat of sanctions, like notification, but rather a practical tool.

Consular registration at the Consulate General or the Russian Embassy in Portugal helps:

• simplify the receipt and exchange of Russian documents abroad - passports, certificates, powers of attorney;
• perform notarial and other consular actions without traveling to Russia;
• Maintain up-to-date communication with the consulate on important issues.

It is important to understand: obtaining a Portuguese passport does not in itself “cancel” your Russian citizenship and does not automatically break ties with Russia. You remain a Russian citizen with all rights and responsibilities until you go through a separate procedure for renouncing citizenship (if you want to at all). The second passport is simply added to the first - this is the meaning of multiple citizenship.

Therefore, the correct picture for a Russian looks like this: you retain Russian citizenship, add Portuguese, notify the Ministry of Internal Affairs in a timely manner and, if desired, register with the consulate in Portugal. The law does not require you to make any “either-or” choice.

Taxes: why citizenship is not the same as tax residency

One of the most persistent myths is: “I’ll get a second passport and I’ll pay taxes in two countries,” or vice versa, “I’ll change my citizenship and avoid taxes in my homeland.” Both are misconceptions. Taxes are not tied to your passport, but to your tax residency, which is determined primarily by where you actually live.

How it works in Portugal:

• Tax resident in Portugal you become if you spend more than 183 days in the country in a 12 month period or have a permanent home there that is treated as your main place of residence. Citizenship does not directly affect this status.
• Resident Pays Portuguese income tax on its worldwide income on a progressive scale (the top rate goes up to 48%).
• IFICI special mode (the so-called NHR 2.0, which replaced the NHR regime closed to new applicants) provides benefits - in particular, a flat 20% rate on qualified Portuguese income and the exemption of a large part of foreign income - but it is aimed at narrow categories: scientists, specialists in the field of research and innovation, and the conditions for receiving it are strict.

As for Russia: Russian tax residency is also determined by the days spent in the country (183 days within 12 consecutive months), and not by citizenship. That is, a situation of double tax residency is theoretically possible, which is resolved under the rules of a double tax treaty - however, such agreements with a number of countries have recently been suspended, and this aspect should be separately checked with a tax adviser for your specific situation.

Bottom line: is it possible to live peacefully with two passports?

Let's put it all together. Dual (or rather multiple) citizenship with Portugal in 2026 is a real and legal possibility, not a gray area. Portugal does not require the renunciation of your previous passport on any route: neither during naturalization, nor by descent, nor by marriage. You add full EU and Schengen citizenship to what you already have.

The main responsibilities and reservations lie not on the Portuguese side, but on your native one. For Russian citizens, this is, first of all, the obligation to notify the Ministry of Internal Affairs about a second citizenship or residence permit within the prescribed period and be prepared for the fact that the rules in this area change. In this case, taxes are calculated by residence - by days of residence, and not by passport, and this issue should be planned separately.

If you approach the process systematically - choose the right route, lay down a notice in advance, check the law for the current date and competently plan your tax residency - you can really live peacefully with two passports. Detailed materials for each step are in our guides about Portuguese citizenship, Residence permit in Portugal for RussiansandPortuguese citizenship for Russians. Current official information about public services in Portugal should be checked on the portal gov.pt, and the rules on notification - according to the current version of the law of the Russian Federation.