Portugal has approved nationality law regulation adding more conditions to citizenship to foreigners living in the country. The new amended framework establishes the requirements of knowledge of the Portuguese language, culture, history and institutions, as well as the subsistence conditions and adherence to the principles of the democratic rule of law. The Government also highlights the digitalisation and simplification of processes, to reduce bureaucracy and speed up decisions.
New Conditions
- Ties to History & Culture – applicants will be assessed on their knowledge of the Portuguese language, history, culture and institutions.
- Financially Sound – demonstrating financial means, declaring adherence to Portugal’s democratic constitutional principles
- Biometrics – Collecting biometric information.
- Rule of Law – Formal declaration accepting the principles of Portugal’s democratic rule of law.
Nationality Law
Portugal’s nationality framework is governed by the Portuguese Nationality Act (Organic Law No. 1/2026), which took effect on May 19, 2026
- Residence period – qualifying period increases to seven years of legal residence for EU/CPLP nationals (including portuguese speaking african countries) and ten years for others.
- Start of Residence – legal residency period now starts exclusively from the date of issuance of the first valid residence permit by AIMA
Speed Up Processing
Portugal has accumulated massive backlog of applications with state authorities. As of 2026, the nationality application queue at the IRN has climbed to roughly close to 700,000 pending cases
The Government has introduced measures to simplify and digitise administrative procedures, including improved information-sharing between public services. This could reduce the need for applicants to obtain documents already held by Portuguese authorities.
Portugal Appoints New Head of AIMA Agency
The government also announced the appointment of César Teixeira as president of the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA), following the departure of Pedro Portugal Gaspar. The effective data yet to be announced. César Teixeira, who previously served as a member of AIMA’s board of directors, was officially appointed following approval by CReSAP and the Council of Ministers. He is tasked with dealing with a large number of backlog immigration files inherited following the end of SEF and subsequent changes to Portugal’s immigration system.
AIMA Status
- New priorities: a national integration plan (not yet published) and more inspections and action against illegal immigration.
- Old cases: 98% of the 940,000 notifications handled by AIMA’s mission team are resolved. Of 445,000 pending manifestação de interesse cases, about 5,000 are left.
- Family reunification: 55,000 appointments in 2026 and 26,000 permits granted.
- Staff: AIMA grew from 723 to 850 workers, and cultural mediators from 123 to 325.
- Work visas under the employers’ protocol: 12,000 visas from 21,600 applications, about 20 days on average, with 10% refused.
- Statelessness law: he asked Parliament to correct it, saying networks are spreading messages that Portugal accepts residence requests immediately and pays support before checking them.
AIMA Funding
The Portuguese Government has authorised AIMA to spend up to €31.35 million with Imprensa Nacional-Casa da Moeda (INCM) on the production, issuance, personalisation, packaging and dispatch of residence permits and other official security documents. The authorisation covers the needs foreseen through the first half of 2027. It secures the funding for issuing the cards. Whether it shortens waiting times will depend on how the process is carried out, which the Government’s announcement does not address.
