Portugal has enacted a revised nationality law that significantly tightens access to citizenship, extending the residency period required for most foreign nationals and adding new integration and eligibility conditions.
President António José Seguro promulgated the law in early May after parliament approved a revised version on April 1. The changes follow months of political debate and a previous Constitutional Court ruling that struck down parts of an earlier draft.
Under the new law, most foreign residents must now complete 10 years of legal residence before applying for Portuguese nationality, up from the previous five-year requirement. Citizens of Portuguese-speaking countries and European Union member states face a shorter but still extended requirement of seven years.
The reform also restricts citizenship for children born in Portugal to foreign parents and introduces tougher tests on applicants’ links to the country. These include requirements related to Portuguese language, civic knowledge, culture, history, national symbols, financial means, national security checks and absence of serious criminal convictions.
Supporters of the law say it brings Portugal closer to other European countries and responds to pressure caused by rapid immigration growth. Portugal’s foreign resident population has risen sharply in recent years, with official estimates showing more than 1.5 million legal foreign residents in a country of about 10.5 million people.
Opponents argue the reform makes the route to citizenship unfairly long and could penalise people already living in Portugal who planned their lives around the previous five-year rule. Immigration lawyers and expat groups have warned that the changes may trigger legal challenges, particularly from golden visa residents and others who say they had legitimate expectations under the old framework.
The law affects citizenship, not residence status itself. Foreigners with valid residence permits may continue living in Portugal under their existing immigration status, but they will face a longer wait before becoming eligible for naturalisation.
The reform marks one of Portugal’s most significant nationality-law changes in decades and reflects a wider European trend toward stricter immigration and citizenship rules.
