Portugal is one of the more welcoming countries in Europe for a foreign couple to marry legally, with no residency requirement and a clear civil process.
The trade is paperwork and lead time. You will need apostilled documents, certified Portuguese translations and a minimum of about four weeks for the registry to process your file.
Lead with the timeline. Start gathering documents early, and decide whether you want the legal ceremony in Portugal or a symbolic one with the legal step done at home.
To marry legally in Portugal as a foreigner you declare your intention at a local civil registry, the Conservatoria do Registo Civil, with passports, recent birth certificates and a certificate of no impediment from your home country, all apostilled or legalised and translated into Portuguese. Processing takes a minimum of about four weeks, and once approved the marriage must take place within six months. Rules change, so confirm the current process with the registry or your planner.
What Portugal asks of a foreign couple
Portugal places no residency requirement on marrying couples, which is a large part of why it has become a popular wedding destination. Both partners must be at least 18, or 16 with parental consent. The legal route is a civil marriage handled through the local civil registry, the Conservatoria do Registo Civil, and the same office can perform a religious marriage's civil registration where relevant.
The process begins when you declare your intention to marry at the registry, which you can start online. The registrar opens a marriage file, reviews your documents, and once everything is approved you have a six month window in which the marriage must take place. Because the document gathering and translation take time, most couples begin several months ahead of the date.
What you need to prepare
Passports and birth certificates
Both partners need valid passports and full birth certificates, usually issued within the last six months. Order fresh copies early, since older certificates are often not accepted.
Certificate of no impediment
You need proof that you are free to marry, a certificate of no impediment from your home country. If either partner was previously married, you will also need a divorce decree or a death certificate.
Apostille or legalisation
Documents from Hague Convention countries must be apostilled; others are legalised through the relevant embassy or consulate. This authenticates them for use in Portugal.
Certified translation
All documents must be translated into Portuguese by a certified translator. Budget time and a little money for this step, as the registry will not accept untranslated paperwork.
Step by step at the registry
Declare your intention
Open the marriage process at the Conservatoria do Registo Civil, in person or online. This starts the clock on the registry's review.
Allow the processing time
Expect a minimum of about four weeks for the registry to process the file. Build this into your timeline and do not book a tight date around it.
Marry within six months
Once approved, the marriage must take place within six months. A civil ceremony is led by a registrar, either at the registry office or at a location of your choice where permitted.
Bring two witnesses
You need two witnesses, one for each partner, who confirm the marriage took place freely. Your planner or venue can advise on local detail, which varies by registry.
An honest word on money and timing
Opening the marriage process typically costs in the region of 120 to 200 euros, with further expense for document translations, legalisations and for holding the ceremony somewhere other than the registry office. These figures are indicative and dated to August 2025, and they vary by registry, so confirm the current fees locally.
Many international couples decide the paperwork is simpler at home. They complete the legal marriage in their own country, often quietly before or after the trip, and hold a symbolic ceremony at their Portuguese venue. This removes the translation and processing burden while keeping the celebration exactly where they want it.
Marrying in Portugal, answered
Do we need to live in Portugal to marry there?
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No. Portugal sets no residency requirement, so non resident foreign couples can marry through the local civil registry, provided they complete the documents and processing.
How long does the process take?
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Allow a minimum of about four weeks for the registry to process your marriage file, and start gathering apostilled and translated documents several months ahead. Once approved, you have six months to marry.
What documents do we need?
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Valid passports, recent full birth certificates, a certificate of no impediment, and divorce or death certificates if previously married. All must be apostilled or legalised and translated into Portuguese by a certified translator.
How much does it cost to marry in Portugal?
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Opening the process is generally around 120 to 200 euros, plus the cost of translations, legalisations and any ceremony held away from the registry. Figures are indicative and change, so confirm locally.
Should we marry legally in Portugal or at home?
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Either works. Many couples complete the legal marriage at home to avoid the translation and processing burden, then hold a symbolic ceremony in Portugal. Others value marrying legally on the day itself.
Can we have a Catholic or religious ceremony?
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Yes, Portugal recognises Catholic marriage, with its own paperwork through the church, and the civil registry handles the civil registration. Discuss the route with your venue and parish well ahead.
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