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Practice

Citizenship and nationality — Australia, New Zealand, Portugal and Brazil

Applications, appeals and dual-citizenship planning from a lawyer admitted to practise in all four countries.

AustraliaNew ZealandPortugal · EUBrazil

Citizenship closes one journey and opens others: the right to live and work in the EU through a Portuguese passport, security in Australia after years on visas, or the ability to pass nationality to children born abroad. We advise on eligibility, evidence and timing in each country, and on how holding more than one nationality affects tax residence, military service and travel.

Portuguese nationality by descent and Brazilian nationality by birth or descent are a particular focus for families with roots in both countries.

Who this is for

  • Long-term residents ready to apply
  • Families with Portuguese or Brazilian ancestry
  • Children born abroad to citizens
  • Applicants refused on residence, character or identity grounds

What we do

  • Australian citizenship by conferral, descent and adoption, and citizenship appeals
  • New Zealand citizenship by grant and descent
  • Portuguese nationality by residence, descent (including grandparents) and marriage
  • Brazilian nationality confirmation, naturalisation and registration of children born abroad
  • Character, residence and identity issues that delay applications
  • Dual and multiple citizenship planning

How it works

Eligibility review

We confirm which citizenships you qualify for now, which need more time, and what documents each requires.

Documents and application

Birth, marriage and criminal-record certificates from several countries need translation, apostille and sometimes correction — we manage that and lodge.

Decision and next steps

We follow the application to decision, respond to any request, and plan passports, registrations and family applications that follow.

Questions

Does Australia allow dual citizenship?

Yes. Australia, Portugal and Brazil all permit multiple nationality; the practical questions are tax residence and obligations in each country, which we advise on.

Can I obtain Portuguese nationality through a grandparent?

In many cases yes, subject to proof of the family line and connection requirements. We assess the documents before anything is lodged.

Can children born in Australia to Brazilian parents be Brazilian?

Yes — registration at the consulate or in Brazil confirms nationality; we handle both routes.

How many years of residence does Portuguese naturalisation now require?

Under the 2026 amendment to the Nationality Law, generally seven years of legal residence for nationals of CPLP countries (including Brazil) and EU states, and ten years for everyone else, counted from the issue of the residence permit, together with language, culture and integration requirements. Applications lodged before the reform are assessed under the earlier five-year rule.

Talk to us about citizenship & nationality.

A short message with the countries involved is enough to start. We reply within one business day.