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For anyone planning to become a Portuguese resident or future citizen, keeping up with the latest changes to the nationality law is essential.
Portugal’s proposed reforms aim to extend the required residency period for citizenship from five to ten years for most foreigners, and to seven years for CPLP nationals. Another major update is the shift in how residency time is counted — starting from the issuance of the first residence permit, rather than from the initial application or legalization request.
In this article, we break down all the recent developments, from the first draft of the law to the latest updates and the current status of the reform, including the President’s position and the ongoing review process.
New Portugal Nationality Law Changes in 2025
December 15, 2025
On 15 December 2025, the Constitutional Court of Portugal ruled that certain provisions of the draft of the new Portuguese Nationality Law were unconstitutional. As a result, the bill must return to the Portuguese Parliament for revision and a new vote. Once a revised version is drafted and approved—potentially requiring an agreement between the minority Government and the Opposition—it will be resubmitted to the President of the Portuguese Republic for review or possible veto.
For individuals with ongoing residence and citizenship processes, the Court’s main initial conclusions were as follows.
The Constitutional Court did not assess the proposed increase in the length of the residence period. As such, the proposed requirements remain unchanged at this stage: seven years for nationals of Portuguese-speaking countries and EU citizens, and ten years for all other nationalities.
The Court upheld the rule that the residence period is counted from the date the residence permit is issued, rather than from the date the residence application is submitted.
The absence of a transitional regime protecting residents who have already applied for or who hold residence permits, but have not yet completed the required number of years, was not considered unconstitutional.
The Court also clarified that pending citizenship applications submitted under the previous law must be assessed under that same legal framework. However, the legal requirements must be verified at the time the decision is issued, not solely at the time of submission.
That said, the legislative process is still ongoing. A revised text will now be prepared, approved by Parliament, and submitted again to the President. Importantly, the final wording may still address these matters differently, meaning the situation remains subject to change.
November 13, 2025
In an unusual move, Portugal’s Socialist Party (PS) has triggered a rare constitutional mechanism to request a preventive review of the newly approved Nationality Law amendments. This action sends the legislation directly to the Constitutional Court, temporarily blocking it before the President can promulgate it, even though the changes had already been approved by multiple political parties.
The Constitutional Court now has no set deadline to issue its decision. If any part of the law is ruled unconstitutional, Parliament will be required to revise or drop the amendments. If the Court validates the law, the President may then either promulgate it or return it to Parliament with recommendations for further review.
October 28, 2025
On October 28, 2025, the Portuguese Parliament approved proposed amendments to the Nationality Law and the immigration framework, following their initial presentation by the government on June 23, 2025. This development marks a major step forward in Portugal’s ongoing legislative reform process.
The proposal aims to extend the minimum residency period for citizenship from five to ten years, or seven years for EU and CPLP nationals, and to revise how residency time is calculated—starting from the issuance of the first residence permit rather than the date the application was submitted.
The bill is not yet in effect, as it still requires Presidential review. The President may approve, veto, or refer the legislation to the Constitutional Court, and the final version could still be modified before promulgation.
July 9, 2025
The Portuguese Government has agreed to extend discussions on the proposed changes to the Nationality Law, allowing for a series of expert hearings on the matter.
The decision was made this morning, July 9th, by the Committee on Rights, Freedoms, and Guarantees. The parties involved have committed to holding the hearings by the third week of September at the latest.
The goal is to ensure the issue is properly addressed before debate on the State Budget Law begins — and to avoid the risk of passing a final version of the law that may contain unconstitutional elements.
June 6, 2025
On June 6th, 2025, Portugal’s Council of Ministers unveiled major reforms to the country’s immigration and nationality system, marking one of the most significant updates to Portuguese citizenship rules in decades. The headline proposal is the extension of the residency requirement for citizenship from five to ten years for most applicants.
Key proposed changes
- Increasing the minimum residency period for citizenship from five to ten years
- Extending the requirement for CPLP nationals from five to seven years
- Counting residency from the date the first residence permit is issued, not from the application date
New eligibility criteria
- A2-level Portuguese language proficiency
- A civic knowledge test covering Portuguese culture, history, and constitutional principles
- A clean criminal record with no convictions resulting in imprisonment
Additional measures in the draft law
- Stricter entry controls aligned with Portugal’s integration capacity
- Job-seeker visas restricted to highly qualified applicants
- Mandatory Portuguese language proficiency for certain residence permit renewals
- Creation of new, streamlined border and immigration management structures
- Eligibility to apply for citizenship through great-grandparents
Changes for children born in Portugal
Under the proposal, children born in Portugal would no longer automatically receive citizenship unless at least one parent has held legal residency for a minimum of three years prior to the child’s birth.
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Portugal Nationality Law Changes in 2024
This isn’t the first time Portugal’s citizenship law has been updated. Back in 2024, a key clarification was introduced: the five-year residency period for citizenship would begin on the date you submit your residence permit application.
This change had a major impact on applicants — especially Portugal Golden Visa holders — who had been facing long administrative delays due to backlogs at the immigration authorities. In many cases, approvals were taking 18 to 24 months, which previously did not count toward the five-year requirement.
Before this Portuguese citizenship law amendment, the residency clock only started after the first residence permit card was issued, meaning applicants lost valuable time during processing delays.
Portugal Nationality Law Changes in 2020
Portugal’s 2020 nationality reforms brought major updates for children of foreign residents. Before the change, both parents needed residence permits for a child born in Portugal to qualify for citizenship. Since 2020, only one parent must hold a residence permit for at least one year for the child to obtain Portuguese nationality.
This aligns with Portugal’s Jus Sanguinis tradition, which allows citizenship to pass to descendants. Additionally, anyone born in Portuguese territory before 3 October 1981 automatically became a citizen, and children born after that date qualify if at least one parent is Portuguese.
The law also simplified citizenship for spouses of Portuguese citizens. Previously, the Public Prosecutor could oppose applications if the spouse lacked strong ties to Portugal. Under the updated rules, if the marriage or civil union has lasted more than six years, or if the couple has Portuguese children, the Public Prosecutor can no longer oppose the application, making the process smoother for families.
Reform of the Portugual Citizenship by descent rules also benefited second-degree descendants, especially grandchildren of Portuguese citizens. Since 2020, they can qualify for citizenship by simply demonstrating Portuguese language proficiency, replacing the older requirement of proving extensive connections to the country. The July 2020 update to Law 37/81 opened a much easier path for families with Portuguese ancestry to reclaim their citizenship.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Golden Visa ending?
No, the Golden Visa is staying. What’s changing are some procedures and timelines — but the core investment routes remain available.
Should I go ahead with my investment or wait?
If your investment makes sense and you’re ready, move forward. Waiting may mean entering under less favorable rules or longer delays.
I’ve already invested but haven’t applied – is that okay?
Yes, you’re in a good position. As long as your investment was done under current law, you may still benefit from transitional protection — but don’t delay the application.
Will nationality really require 10 years?
That’s the current proposal — 10 years for most people, 7 for CPLP nationals. But it’s not law yet. Things could still change before approval.
Can these changes apply to people who already live here?
In principle, no. Retroactive laws are a serious legal issue in Portugal. But to be safe, applying early is the best strategy.
Are there new tests for nationality?
Yes, it looks like there will be. Beyond language, applicants may need to show understanding of Portuguese culture, values, and politics — but no official format has been confirmed yet.
Is family reunification becoming harder?
It may be. The new rules suggest waiting at least 2 years before sponsoring family, and proving housing, income, and integration. This won’t apply to everyone, but it’s something to watch.
Are Golden Visa families affected by these new rules?
No changes have been proposed for family reunification under the Golden Visa — those rights are expected to remain as they are.
Are expired residence documents still valid?
Yes, they’re valid until October 15, 2025. And once renewals open, you’ll get a six-month grace period after starting the process.
When will these changes actually happen?
Not yet — everything is still in Parliament. Hearings are scheduled into September. Final approval may take a few more months.
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