What the proposed changes mean for residents and applicants.
The rules for becoming a Portuguese citizen are shifting. For thousands of foreign residents, the path to a passport is becoming longer and more complex. Proposed changes to Portugal’s Nationality Law (Lei da Nacionalidade) threaten to double the residency requirement, creating deep uncertainty for anyone planning their future in the country.
This is not just a bureaucratic update; it is a fundamental change that could delay or disqualify your application. However, a critical and recently passed amendment now counts your application waiting time toward your residency period, offering a small but powerful advantage. This guide explains the proposed changes, the current rules, and the exact steps to take to protect your position.
The biggest proposed change: a longer residency timeline
The most significant proposal under debate is the extension of the minimum legal residency period required for naturalization. This change, supported by the current governing coalition, aims to tighten the criteria for citizenship.
As of October 2025, the proposals that have gained consensus in parliamentary committees are:
- 10-year residency for most non-EU nationals: The standard requirement would increase from five to ten years of legal residency. This directly impacts applicants from countries like the USA, Canada, and, notably, the United Kingdom.
- 7-year residency for CPLP and EU nationals: Citizens from the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) and the European Union would see their requirement increase from five to seven years.
This change reflects a political shift towards a more restrictive immigration and integration policy. For applicants, it means a much longer commitment before being eligible to apply for a passport.
Who is most affected?
British and Ukrainian citizens are specifically highlighted as groups that will fall under the new ten-year rule, a direct consequence of Brexit for UK nationals. Previously, they could apply after five years. This doubles their timeline and creates a significant barrier for those who recently relocated with the five-year path in mind.
How to get Portuguese citizenship under the current law
While changes are being debated, the existing law, Lei n.º 37/81, remains in effect. Understanding these pathways is critical for anyone eligible to apply now.
By residency (naturalization)
This is the most common path for foreign residents. As of today, the requirements are:
- At least five years of legal residency in Portugal.
- Sufficient knowledge of the Portuguese language (A2 level certificate).
- No conviction for a crime punishable by a prison sentence of three years or more under Portuguese law.
- No demonstrable threat to national security.
By descent (ancestry)
You may be eligible for citizenship by origin if you are:
- The child of a Portuguese mother or father born in Portugal.
- The grandchild of a Portuguese citizen who has maintained their nationality and can prove an effective connection to the Portuguese community.
- The child of a Portuguese parent born abroad, if they register the birth in the Portuguese civil registry.
By marriage or legal partnership
A foreign national married to a Portuguese citizen for more than three years can apply for citizenship. The same applies to those in a recognized long-term partnership (união de facto) for over three years. The government can oppose the application if there is no proof of an effective connection to the community.
The one positive change: your wait time now counts
A recent and crucial amendment to the Nationality Law (Lei Orgânica n.º 1/2024) provides a major benefit. It clarifies that the clock for legal residency starts from the moment you submit your application for a residence permit, not the date it is approved.
Given the significant delays at the immigration agency, AIMA (Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo), this change is a game-changer. If you waited 18-24 months for your residency card, that time now officially counts towards your five-year total for citizenship. This acknowledges the bureaucratic backlog and prevents applicants from being penalized for administrative delays.
Other proposed changes to watch
Beyond the residency timeline, several other amendments are under review:
- Children born in Portugal: The current law grants citizenship to children born in Portugal if one parent has been a legal resident for at least one year. Proposals aim to increase this parental residency requirement to two or even five years.
- Sephardic Jews: The special regime granting citizenship to descendants of Sephardic Jews is targeted for termination. New applications already face stricter requirements, including a three-year residency period in Portugal.
- Loss of nationality: A new measure would allow for the loss of acquired citizenship for individuals convicted of highly violent crimes or crimes against the state, with prison sentences of four years or more.
Common traps (and how to avoid them)
- Assuming the 5-year rule is safe
→ The new law is expected to pass and take effect quickly, without a long transition period. If you are close to or have met the five-year requirement, prepare your application now. - Miscounting your residency time
→ Your legal residency starts from the date you submitted your initial permit application, not the approval date. Gather all documents, including submission receipts, to prove your timeline. - Confusing residency with citizenship
→ The Foreigners Law (Lei dos Estrangeiros) governs visas and residency permits. The Nationality Law governs citizenship. They are separate legal frameworks. Renewing your residency permit is not the same as applying for a passport. - Failing the language or connection test
→ The “effective connection” requirement is real. The A2 language certificate is mandatory for naturalization. Do not wait until year five to start learning Portuguese.
Bottom Line
The window to secure Portuguese citizenship under the current five-year rule is closing. The political direction is clear: requirements will become stricter and timelines longer. The single most important action is to understand your eligibility today and prepare your application if you meet the criteria. The amendment counting application wait times is your main leverage against bureaucratic delays. Use it.
FAQ
What is the main proposed change to the Portuguese Nationality Law?
The main change is increasing the minimum residency requirement for naturalization from five years to seven years for CPLP/EU citizens and ten years for most other foreign nationals.
Will UK citizens be affected by the new law?
Yes. Due to Brexit, UK citizens will no longer be treated as EU nationals. Under the new proposals, they will be required to have ten years of legal residency instead of the current five.
Does the time I spent waiting for my AIMA appointment count towards citizenship?
Yes. A recent change (Lei Orgânica n.º 1/2024) confirms that the legal residency period is counted from the date the temporary residence permit was requested, as long as it is eventually approved.
What are the current requirements for citizenship by residency?
As of October 2025, you need at least five years of legal residency, an A2 Portuguese language certificate, a clean criminal record for serious offenses, and no ties to terrorism or highly organized crime.
What is an “effective connection to the community”?
This is a requirement for some paths, like citizenship through ancestry or marriage. It is generally proven by having sufficient knowledge of the Portuguese language and regular contact with the national territory, but the definition can be subjective.
Will the Sephardic Jew citizenship path end?
The government intends to end this special regime. The rules have already been tightened, now requiring proof of a stronger connection and a three-year residency period in Portugal.
What happens to children born in Portugal to foreign parents?
Currently, a child born in Portugal is eligible for citizenship if at least one parent has resided here legally for one year. Proposals aim to increase this parental residency requirement to as much as five years.
Is the new nationality law approved and in effect?
As of late October 2025, the proposals have passed committee votes but still require a final vote in the full Parliament. It is not yet law, but approval is expected, and it may come into effect after publication.
What is the difference between the Nationality Law and the Foreigners Law?
The Foreigners Law (Lei dos Estrangeiros) regulates entry, visas, and residence permits for non-citizens. The Nationality Law (Lei da Nacionalidade) defines who is a Portuguese citizen and the rules for acquiring or losing citizenship.
Can I lose my Portuguese citizenship?
Losing citizenship is rare. However, new proposals would allow a judge to revoke acquired nationality from individuals convicted of very serious crimes, such as terrorism or homicide, with a prison sentence of four years or more.
Sources:
Pires, P. (2025, October 27). Quem pode ser português? O que diz a Lei da Nacionalidade e o que já se sabe que deve mudar (e atenção a ucranianos e britânicos). CNN Portugal.
Diário da República. (1981, October 3). Lei n.º 37/81, Lei da Nacionalidade. Diário da República, Série I, n.º 228.
