After nine months of legislative proceedings, the Portuguese Parliament on April 1, 2026 approved the “new” Nationality Law increasing the residence time for citizenship to 10 years up from 5 years. The time for EU/CPLP nationals also increased to 7 years (up from 3 years).
Voted in Favour
The new-approved proposal reinforces criteria for effective connection to the national community, extends residency periods, and restores what the Government considers to have been the traditional understanding of citizenship in Portugal, which was in effect “for decades” and required proven integration before the granting of nationality.
The Assembly voted 151-65 passing nationality law. 151 MPs voted in favour (PSD, Chega, IL and CDS-PP), with 65 against (PS, Livre, PCP, BE, JPP and PAN), out of a total of 216 MPs present, exceeding the required absolute majority threshold (116),
Important Changes
Among the important changes made to nationality law …
- Residency increased to 10 years – Residency time for naturalization increased to to 10 years for nationals of other third countries;
- CPLP or EU Countries – Reduced residence period set at 7 years for nationals of Portuguese-speaking countries and citizens of European Union Member States.
- Residence period counts from residence permit date – the introduction of a new rule under which the residence period will only begin to count from the issuance of the first residence permit card (not application is filed), rather than from the submission of the application; and
- Loss of Nationality for Criminals – new provisions concerning the loss of acquired nationality in the event of a criminal conviction. individuals convicted of serious crimes and sentenced to three or more years of effective imprisonment from obtaining Portuguese nationality. introduces the loss of nationality as an additional penalty for those sentenced to five or more years in prison for crimes deemed very serious, including aggravated homicide, slavery, human trafficking, rape and sexual abuse, as well as criminal association, drug trafficking, and arms trafficking.
- No Transition or Safeguard Clause – No safeguarding clause was introduced for pending residence processes, nor was any transitional regime established. No ‘grandfathering’ clause – which means no protection for those who have already started their application.
Presidents Decision Awaits
The approved law legal text will be sent to Belém, where the President of the Republic, António José Seguro, may promulgate it, veto it or request a fresh review of its constitutionality. If it gets vetoed, it will go back to constitutional court. If approved, it will become law and published in official gazette likely in May 2026
Pending citizenship applications, submitted before the new law enters into force, will not be affected..
Ruled Unconstitutional
On December 15, 2025, Portugal’s Constitutional Court issued a preventive constitutional review that struck down four provisions in Parliament’s recent nationality law reforms, while leaving intact the longer residency timeline that extends naturalization to 10 years for most non EU nationals. The previous nationality law has several issues ruled unconstitutional by the court.
- potential breaches of the principle of equality,
- erosion of legitimate expectations under the principle of trust,
- lack of a transitional regime, and the
- controversial clause allowing loss of nationality for criminal convictions.
- No transitional provisions or protection to current applicants.
No Change with Permanent Residence
The Immigration Law on Portugal permanent residence program remains unchanged. Permanent residency allows holders to live and work in Portugal without renewing temporary permits every two years. While it does not grant voting rights , it does provide visa-free travel within the 29-country Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
Golden visa holders are eligible obtain permanent residency after five years and wait an additional five years before applying for citizenship.
