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Residence & citizenship

Mozambican Citizenship by Naturalisation

Acquisition of Mozambican nationality by long-term foreign residents who meet the conditions set out in the Constitution and nationality law.

Expert reviewed Official guidance referenced
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Under review — check current rules

The 10-year residence requirement and other conditions are drawn from the Constitution text via secondary sources; the exact current thresholds, procedure and administering body (e.g. Ministry of Justice / civil registry) must be verified against Mozambique's nationality law. No official government immigration-authority page was reachable for citizenship in this research.

Important information

Immigration rules and fees can change. This information is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. Always check the latest requirements on the official Mozambique government website before you apply.
On this page
Official name
Naturalisation (acquisition of Mozambican nationality)
Route type
Citizenship by naturalisation
Legal basis
Constitution of Mozambique (2004) and nationality law
Residence requirement
At least 10 years of habitual, regular residence
Figure cited from the Constitution via secondary source; verify against the current nationality law
Minimum age
18 years
Language
Knowledge of Portuguese or a Mozambican language
Residence required
A set period of lawful residence in Mozambique
The 1975 Nationality Law cites 10 years while the 2004 Constitution cites 5 years — see review note.
Dual nationality
Mozambique permits dual nationality in most cases since 2004
Confirm current position for the applicant's circumstances.
Where to apply
Ministry of Justice / SENAMI
Exact submitting authority to be confirmed.

Who it is for

  • Long-term foreign residents who meet the constitutional and legal conditions
  • In special cases, people who have rendered relevant services to the Mozambican State (some requirements waived)
  • Certain minor children of a naturalised citizen, and people fully adopted by a Mozambican national

Requirements

  • Habitual and regular residence in Mozambique for the required number of years
  • Being over eighteen years of age
  • Knowledge of Portuguese or a Mozambican language
  • Ability to support oneself and good civic standing
  • Meeting any further requirements and guarantees set by law

How to apply

Naturalisation is granted by the Mozambican State on application to the relevant authority (the Ministry of Justice / immigration service). It is discretionary rather than automatic once the conditions are met.

Applicants submit evidence of lawful residence, identity, good character and means with the application; requirements should be confirmed with SENAMI or the Ministry of Justice before applying.

Frequently asked questions

  • The figure is not settled across sources: the 1975 Nationality Law refers to ten years of residence, while the 2004 Constitution refers to five. Confirm the current requirement with the Ministry of Justice or SENAMI before relying on a specific number.

Official sources

For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.

Verified against official gov.uk sources · last reviewed 2026-08-21. Information only — not legal advice.

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