Portuguese citizenship - fingerprints required for police clearances - Portugal forum

Wibble2024 · 2024-09-28T22:17:18+02:00

Explore insights on obtaining Portuguese citizenship, focusing on fingerprint requirements for police clearances and challenges within Portugal.

Portuguese citizenship - fingerprints required for police clearances

Wibble2024 Member

Member since 23 September 2024

Wibble2024Member28 September 2024 20:17:18

I am considering applying for Portuguese citizenship/nationality. One of the requirements would be a police clearance from every country where I have lived - which necessitates that I submit my fingerprints to each country in order for them to check their criminal database. i am reluctant to travel outside Portugal just to get my fingerprints done. I have been told that Portugal will not take my fingerprints unless I commit a crime. Has anybody else encountered this problem?

JohnnyPT Portugal Expert

Member since 23 May 2020

JohnnyPTPortugal Expert29 September 2024 17:06:50

5001

To get PT citizenship you need to provide criminal records obtained in the countries where you have lived for more than 1 year. You don't need to give your fingerprints, and you can usually even receive the criminal record at home by post or email. At least that's what happens in Portugal and the UK...

Wibble2024 Member

Member since 23 September 2024

Wibble2024Member30 September 2024 13:34:19

Thanks Jonny, but I was born in what used to be a British colony in Africa. My fingerprints were never taken there, so I have to supply my fingerprints in order for them to check that I was not a villain before they issue a police record to that effect. For others who might be in my shoes (needing to get documents out of Africa and other exotic places, there is a bureau which helps, viz. They are based in South Africa but help to get apostilled birth certificates and other documents out of all sorts of countries. They have a high rating on the South African equivalent of Trust Pilot...but, as I say...it is up to the candidate to provide fingerprints which they then use to apply at the relevant department in whichever exotic country you came from.