In a major blow to Government’s curbing restrictions on Immigration, Portugal’s President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa has vetoed the immigration bill and sent back to Assembly without promulgation. This has given more breathing space and time for foreigners in Portugal
Unconstitutional
The Constitutional Court announced this Friday that it has rejected five provisions of the Parliamentary decree approving the legal regime governing the entry, stay, exit and removal of foreigners from national territory. The Court declared five of the seven provisions contained amdended Immigration Law were found unconstitutional. The decree has been returned to Parliament for further debate, Government is expected to make adjustments to the immigration changes inline with constitutional principles.
Prime Minister Luís Montenegro has announced the Government will make necessary adjustments to strengthen immigration laws curbing foreigners immigration.
Immigration Changes
On 16 July 2025, the Portuguese Parliament approved the final version of Proposal No. 3/XVII/1.ª, introducing substantial amendments to Law no. 23/2007. Some of the important changes made were as follows…
- Imposing two year wait for certain family reunification permits is discriminatory, violates rights of family members (aimed at separation) with the exception of residence permits issued for teaching, investment, or cultural activities (HQA and Golden Visa).
- Visas to enter without a work contract or the promise of one are only available for highly qualified people.
- Job-seeker visa is now limited to highly qualified professionals.
- The Sponsoring resident must have lived legally in Portugal for at least two years before applying for family reunification. Family members must also demonstrate basic integration.
Measures for family integration are required, namely, learning the language and minors are required to attend compulsory schooling. - AIMA must decide on residence applications within 9 months with certain exceptions
- Foreign nationals who were registered with Social Security and working as of 3 June 2024 will still be allowed to apply for a residence permit — but must do so by 31 December 2025, after which the transitional regime will lapse.
- CPLP nationals now need a long-term residence visa before applying for a residence permit.
A new police unit, the National Unit for Foreigners and Borders (UNEF), has been established
Nationality Law
Amendments to tightenting nationality law also faces pushback and critized by experts and foreigners living in Portugal. Montenegro led government the proposed reforms announced on June 23, 2025, Here is the list of important changes to nationality law are ..
- Legal residency period for obtaining Portuguese citizenship has been doubled from five to ten years for most applicants. Foreigners who seek Portuguese nationality must prove a genuine connection and successful integration into the country;
- introduces new integration requirements, including a cultural and civic knowledge exam alongside the existing A2 Portuguese language test
- Denying citizenship for those with criminal record
- Removal of counting residency from application filing. The reform introduces countdown for residency towards citizenship now starts from the date the residence permit is granted, not from the date of application.
- Minors Nationality through Portuguese ancestry is restricted, limited up to the great-grandchildren of Portuguese nationals. parents need to prove at least three consecutive years of legal residence and formally request nationality for their child.
- Remove Sephardic Jews ancestry route to citizenship entirely.
- Nationalized citizens who commit serious offenses and have been sentenced to prison terms equal to or greater than five years, decreed by a judge, will have their nationality removed if it was granted in less time than the sentence.
The proposed amendments to the Nationality Law separated from Immigration bill, which discussion has been postponed to the end of September. facing pressure from opposition parties and legal experts.
Golden Visa Program
The Government has made it clear golden visa scheme wont be scrapped and more incentives will be brought to further bring foreign investments into Portugal. The Government has also promised tax cuts for GV investors.
Uncertainty
The minority PSD-led government led by Prime Minister Montenegro needs support from the far-right Chega party would still need presidential approval and Constitutional Court review, could potentially push the implementation of immigration and nationality bills into 2026. The January 2026 presidential election adds another layer of uncertainty, as the timing could influence whether the reforms are signed into law.
