Marriage in Portugal: Legal Guide 2026

Portugal allows foreign couples, mixed-nationality couples and Portuguese-foreign couples to marry through the Portuguese civil registry system.

For a foreign national, the core file normally starts with three things:

• valid identification;
• a birth certificate issued under the law of the person's country;
• a certificate of matrimonial capacity issued less than six months earlier, or a declaration that the person's country does not issue such a certificate.

The registry then checks whether the couple is legally free to marry and whether the foreign documents can be accepted in Portugal.

The ceremony is usually the simplest part. Most of the work happens before it.

Can two foreigners marry in Portugal?

Yes.

Foreign nationals can marry in Portugal even if neither person is Portuguese.

The couple starts the marriage process with a Portuguese Civil Registry Office.

The Portuguese registry checks identity, civil status, legal capacity to marry, the chosen matrimonial-property regime and any foreign documents required for the file.

Residence in Portugal is not a general condition for two foreign citizens to marry here.

Portuguese citizen and foreign partner

A Portuguese citizen can also marry a foreign national in Portugal.

The foreign partner normally needs the foreign civil-status documents required for the marriage file.

The Portuguese partner's civil-registry information is generally available within the Portuguese system.

Marriage itself does not automatically create a residence permit or Portuguese citizenship.

Those are separate legal processes that may become relevant after the marriage.

Read: Portuguese Citizen and Foreign Spouse: Marriage, Residence and Citizenship

What documents does a foreign national need?

The official IRN guidance currently lists:

• identification document;
• birth certificate;
• certificate of matrimonial capacity issued by the competent authority less than six months earlier.

If the person's country does not issue a certificate of matrimonial capacity, a declaration confirming that such a certificate is not issued can be used instead.

Additional documents can be needed when:

• the person was previously married;
• a former spouse died;
• names differ between records;
• the couple chooses a prenuptial agreement;
• one person is represented;
• a foreign court decision affects civil status.

Living abroad?

Foreign and non-resident couples can prepare the Portuguese marriage route before travelling. The specialist guide explains the document file, representation rules, interpreter route and how the managed process can be organised around one planned official appointment in Portugal.

Getting married in Portugal as a foreign or non-resident couple

Certificate of matrimonial capacity

This is one of the documents that causes the most confusion.

Different countries use different names and procedures.

You may see documents described as:

• certificate of capacity to marry;
• certificate of no impediment;
• certificate of freedom to marry;
• nulla osta;
• another national equivalent.

What matters is not the English label. The Portuguese registry needs evidence from the competent foreign authority confirming the person's legal capacity to marry.

IRN currently requires this certificate to have been issued less than six months before it is used.

If the country does not issue one, the file should follow the substitute route accepted for that country.

What if you were married before?

A previous marriage must already be legally ended before a new marriage can be authorised.

The Portuguese registry needs to be able to understand your current civil status.

Depending on the country and the previous divorce, the file may require:

• a final divorce record;
• a court judgment;
• proof that the decision is final;
• authentication;
• translation;
• additional recognition or registration in Portugal where legally required.

Do not assume that a foreign divorce certificate automatically solves every Portuguese civil-registry issue.

This should be checked before the new marriage file is opened.

Read: Marriage Documents in Portugal: Apostille, Translation and Previous Divorce

Do foreign documents need an apostille?

Not every foreign document follows the same route.

For documents from countries covered by the Hague Apostille Convention, an apostille is often the normal authentication method.

But there are important exceptions.

Certain public documents issued by another EU Member State benefit from EU rules that remove the apostille requirement for matters such as birth, marriage, marital capacity, civil status and divorce.

Other documents may require consular legalisation.

The right question is:

Where was the document issued, what type of document is it, and what exactly will the Portuguese registry use it for?

Do not order authentication before checking that.

Do foreign documents need Portuguese translation?

As a general rule, foreign-language documents used for Portuguese registration acts should be accompanied by a certified Portuguese translation.

There are exceptions.

IRN states that translation may be dispensed with where the document is in English, French or Spanish and the competent registry officer understands that language.

Certain EU public documents can also use multilingual standard forms under the applicable EU rules.

Because acceptance depends on the document and the receiving registry, check the route before paying for translation.

How do you start the marriage process?

The marriage process starts with a declaration for marriage.

The couple chooses:

• the form of marriage;
• the intended location;
• the matrimonial-property regime.

Foreign couples normally deal directly with a Civil Registry Office for the foreign-national marriage process.

A representative can be used in appropriate cases with the required powers.

How early should you start?

IRN recommends organising the marriage process at least one month before the intended date.

For international couples, that should be treated as a minimum planning reference, not a promise that one month will always be enough.

Foreign-document collection can take longer because of:

• birth-certificate ordering;
• capacity certificates;
• apostilles or legalisation;
• translations;
• previous divorce;
• registry requests for clarification.

If the ceremony date matters, start with the documents first.

How much does a civil marriage cost?

The current base state fee for a civil marriage at the registry is €120.

Additional official fees can apply in situations such as:

• ceremony outside the registry;
• ceremony outside normal opening hours;
• weekend or public-holiday ceremony;
• prenuptial agreements;
• registration of certain matrimonial-property arrangements.

Legal support, translation, apostille, interpreter and foreign-document work are separate from the state marriage fee.

Matrimonial-property regime

The couple should choose the property regime before the marriage is completed.

For international couples, property questions can involve both Portuguese law and private international law.

If either person:

• owns significant property;
• has a business;
• has children from a previous relationship;
• has assets in several countries;
• wants a specific financial arrangement,

the property regime should be considered deliberately rather than treated as an administrative detail.

A prenuptial agreement must be arranged before the marriage where required.

Do you need witnesses?

Witnesses are not generally mandatory where the registry can verify the identities of the couple or any representative through the accepted documents.

Couples can still have witnesses.

What if you do not speak Portuguese?

If a foreign partner does not understand Portuguese and the registry officer cannot communicate in a language the person understands, an interpreter can be appointed for the process or ceremony as required.

Arrange this before the ceremony.

After the wedding

A Portuguese civil marriage is registered in the Portuguese civil registry.

Afterward, the couple may need to deal with separate matters such as:

• residence of a foreign spouse;
• family reunification;
• nationality by marriage;
• tax and administrative updates;
• inheritance planning;
• recognition of the marriage in another country.

Do not assume one process happens automatically because another one is complete.

Marriage to a Portuguese citizen and citizenship

Under the nationality law in force from 19 May 2026, a foreign national married to a Portuguese citizen for more than three years can acquire Portuguese nationality by declaration while the marriage continues, subject to the legal conditions that apply to the case.

The law also contains rules on effective connection and opposition.

In some situations, the effective connection is treated differently, including longer marriages and cases involving common Portuguese children.

There is no general rule that says "three years if you live in Portugal and six years if you live abroad."

That distinction is not the current legal test.

Residence and citizenship remain separate procedures.

Foreign marriage instead of marriage in Portugal

If a Portuguese citizen marries abroad, the foreign marriage can be transcribed into the Portuguese civil registry.

That is different from opening a new marriage process in Portugal.

Read: Registering a Foreign Marriage in Portugal

Common mistakes

Starting with the ceremony date instead of the documents

Foreign documents determine how quickly the file can realistically move.

Ordering every apostille and translation automatically

The issuing country and document type determine what is actually required.

Ignoring a previous foreign divorce

The registry must be able to confirm that the person is legally free to marry.

Treating marriage as automatic immigration

Marriage creates the family relationship. Residence still has its own procedure.

Treating marriage as automatic citizenship

Citizenship requires a separate nationality application and legal analysis.

How THE-Ö can help

THE-Ö Legal handles the legal and registry side of marriage in Portugal for international couples.

We can:

• confirm the correct document list;
• review previous marriages or divorces;
• check authentication and translation requirements;
• prepare the registry file;
• coordinate the marriage process;
• manage registry correspondence;
• coordinate the ceremony stage;
• handle connected residence, transcription or nationality work where needed.

Planning to marry in Portugal?

Send us both nationalities, current civil status, where you live now and your target date.

Full legal support for marriage in Portugal

Related

• Marriage in Portugal Legal Service
• Portuguese Citizen and Foreign Spouse
• Registering a Foreign Marriage in Portugal
• Marriage Documents: Apostille, Translation and Previous Divorce
• Foreign Documents for Use in Portugal