Portuguese nationality/Criminal record

Member since 03 December 2025

shakahmadNew member03 December 2025 18:11:23

Hi All,

I am originally from Pakistan after completing my college in 1973. I came to the UK for further studies and stayed in UK.

In 1985, I obtained British nationality. 2019, I moved to Portugal as my part of my retirement. (I am covered by the EU withdrawal agreement post Brexit) and have Portuguese residency to 2028.

I had recently applied for a Portuguese nationality provided to the authorities my birth certificate, UK clean criminal record, Portuguese language A1 and A2 Certificate.

The authorities are now asking for my criminal record history from Pakistan.

I left the Country in 1973 and had not visited since, nor do I have any family there. In addition due to the amalgamation and reorganisation of various Police station, poor record keeping followed by digitalisation of records. No records are available for me. Considering that I left Pakistan 53 years ago there no records are available.

My lawyers who are frankly have just acted as a post office cannot seem to find a way forward and seem to think that nothing can be done. I find this not be credible.

Any help.

JohnnyPT Portugal Expert

Member since 23 May 2020

JohnnyPTPortugal Expert03 December 2025 18:25:53

5122

You should prepare a detailed communication (possibly in the form of a Solemn Declaration or official Petition/Request) to the Portuguese authorities, supported by evidences. The aim is to demonstrate that presenting the document is objectively and materially impossible, and that the request is disproportionate given its history. Speak to your lawyer and explain this possibility.

ctomac Contributor

Member since 21 May 2022

ctomacContributorYesterday 12:24:54

119

Same problem here, after 10 years spent in China 25 years ago, how the hell am I going to get a criminal record from there and from that time while living here? I remember getting one while I was still in China for the Canadian immigration, but even that was 20 years ago. And I was still in China. Fortunately I also have Romanian citizenship so I won't bother with the Portuguese one.