Naturalisation — minors in state care (Art 6 n.4)
Citizenship in Portugal
- Eligibility
- Art 6 n.4 of Lei 37/81 (in the current redação of LO 1/2026) provides for the naturalisation of foreign minors who are in state care under a final child-protection measure (medida de promoção e proteção) adopted under Lei 147/99 (LPCJP, the Lei de Proteção de Crianças e Jovens em Perigo). This route is distinct from the general minor naturalisation route (Art 6 n.2, route PT-NAT-05), which requires a parent with at least 5 years of legal residence. PT-NAT-04 operates independently of parental residence because, by definition, the minor is under state care. The most significant procedural featu
- Timeline
- T2
- Renunciation
- Not required
Overview
Art 6 n.4 of Lei 37/81 (in the current redação of LO 1/2026) provides for the naturalisation of foreign minors who are in state care under a final child-protection measure (medida de promoção e proteção) adopted under Lei 147/99 (LPCJP, the Lei de Proteção de Crianças e Jovens em Perigo). This route is distinct from the general minor naturalisation route (Art 6 n.2, route PT-NAT-05), which requires a parent with at least 5 years of legal residence. PT-NAT-04 operates independently of parental residence because, by definition, the minor is under state care.
The most significant procedural feature of this route is that the Ministério Público (MP) is mandated to initiate the naturalisation procedure ("cabe ao Ministério Público promover"). This means the procedure is not driven by a parental application but by the MP acting in the best interests of the child. The procedure is also free of charge (Art 6 n.12 LN).
Who qualifies
Requirements
Because the Ministério Público is the initiating party, the procedural burden rests on the MP and the child-protection authority, not on the minor or any guardian. The following elements are involved:
- Final child-protection measure: A medida de promoção e proteção definitiva under Lei 147/99 must have been adopted (e.g., placement in a foster family, residential institution, or legal guardianship under LPCJP Art 35).
- MP initiative: The competent MP delegate (typically through the Tribunal de Família e Menores or the competent court) identifies the eligible minor and promotes the naturalisation procedure.
- IRN/CRC: The naturalisation is processed at the IRN/Conservatória dos Registos Centrais.
- Best-interests assessment: The MP and court evaluate whether naturalisation serves the child's best interests (LPCJP framework).
- No fee: Art 6 n.12 LN — the procedure is fee-free.
Documentary requirements (assembled by the MP/state care authority):
- Birth certificate of the minor (and translations if not in Portuguese)
- Documentation of the final child-protection measure (court order or confirmed administrative decision under LPCJP)
- Identity/nationality documentation of the minor if available
- Evidence of state-care placement
How to apply
- Ministério Público (MP): initiating party — "cabe ao Ministério Público promover" the naturalisation procedure. The MP delegate attached to the Tribunal de Família e Menores or the competent court drives the process.
- IRN / Conservatória dos Registos Centrais (CRC): naturalisation registration and recording in the Registo Nacional de Cidadãos (RNC).
- Ministério da Justiça: decision-maker for naturalisation concessão.
- Tribunal de Família e Menores / competent family court: oversight of the child-protection measure; coordinates with MP.
- AIMA (Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo, I.P.): if the minor's residence/immigration status needs to be regularised in parallel.
Administrative courts / STA: Appeals in nationality matters go to the administrative courts / STA since LO 2/2006.
Legal basis
- Art 6 n.4 Lei 37/81 (LO 1/2026): naturalisation for minors in state care under a final promoção-e-proteção measure adopted under Lei 147/99.
- Lei n.º 147/99, de 1 de setembro (LPCJP): the framework law governing child-protection interventions and the applicable final measures (medidas de promoção e proteção definitivas). A measure is "final" (definitiva) once confirmed and no longer subject to revision within the statutory timeframe, or once confirmed by a court.
- Art 6 n.12 Lei 37/81 (LO 1/2026): procedure for this naturalisation is free of charge (sem emolumentos). This confirms cost is not a barrier.
- Best-interests-of-the-child standard: embedded in LPCJP and consistent with Portugal's obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (PT party since 21-09-1990).
Relationship to other routes:
- PT-NAT-05 (Art 6 n.2): requires minor born in PT + one parent ≥5 years legal residence at moment of request. PT-NAT-04 has no parental-residence requirement — the trigger is the final child-protection measure.
- PT-BTH-01 (Art 1(1)(f)): attributive jus soli for children born in PT to a parent with ≥5 years legal residence — different mechanism (attribution vs concessão) and different trigger.
Example scenarios
ELIGIBLE under PT-NAT-04. Fatima is a minor under a final LPCJP child-protection measure (institutional acolhimento confirmed by court). The Ministério Público delegate at the Tribunal de Família e Menores is mandated ('cabe ao MP promover') to initiate the naturalisation procedure. The procedure is free of charge (Art 6 n.12). No parental Portuguese nationality or parental residence is required. The best-interests standard governs. The social worker should alert the competent MP delegate to Fatima's situation.
Art 6 n.4 LN (LO 1/2026): minor + final LPCJP measure + MP mandated to initiate + fee free. No parental link needed. Source: PT-ASSERT-NAT-015 (0.95).
NOT YET ELIGIBLE under PT-NAT-04 at this stage. The route requires a FINAL (definitiva) promoção-e-proteção measure under Lei 147/99. A provisional measure does not qualify. Once the measure is confirmed as definitiva by the Tribunal de Família e Menores, the MP is mandated to promote the naturalisation. Luca's foster parents should consult the MP delegate and the court to clarify when the measure will be confirmed. Separately, Luca may also explore PT-NAT-05 (Art 6 n.2) if a parent holds ≥5 years legal residence, but based on the scenario that path is unavailable. He should also be aware that as an EU national, once he independently satisfies 7 years of legal residence as an adult, he could naturalise under PT-NAT-01.
Art 6 n.4 requires a FINAL (definitiva) LPCJP measure. A provisional measure does not trigger the MP mandate. Source: PT-ASSERT-NAT-015 (0.95). The distinction between provisional and final measures is in Lei 147/99 LPCJP.
TWO ROUTES POTENTIALLY AVAILABLE. (1) PT-BTH-03 (Art 1(1)(g) + Art 1(2)): if Amara is a foundling or her parentage is unknown, and she is otherwise stateless, she may qualify for automatic attribution under Art 1(1)(g) (no other nationality) combined with Art 1(2) foundling presumption. This would be originária nationality ex tunc from birth. (2) PT-NAT-04 (Art 6 n.4): the final LPCJP measure + MP mandate covers the naturalisation route, which is a concessão (prospective effect). The MP and IRN should first assess whether the Art 1(1)(g) attribution route applies (it is automatic and simpler). If that cannot be established (e.g., a nationality can be attributed to her by another state), then PT-NAT-04 provides the naturalisation alternative. Fee free either way.
PT-BTH-03 (PT-ASSERT-BTH-005, 0.97) applies where the child has no other nationality; PT-NAT-04 (PT-ASSERT-NAT-015, 0.95) applies based on the LPCJP measure. Both can be evaluated simultaneously by the MP/IRN; the originária attribution route should be pursued first as it is more favourable for the child.
Informational summary compiled from primary legal sources — not legal advice. Citizenship law changes; verify with the competent authority before acting. Last verified 2026-05-30.
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