A New Legal Landscape for Naturalisation in Portugal
Portugal has enacted a sweeping reform of its Nationality Law, doubling the minimum residency required for naturalisation and introducing stricter integration conditions for citizenship applicants. The new framework, approved by Parliament on 28 October 2025, marks one of the most significant policy shifts in recent decades and will have far-reaching effects for expatriates, investors and global mobility planners.
Extended Residency Timeline: From 5 to 10 Years
Under the new law, the minimum legal residence requirement for naturalisation has been extended to 10 years for most non-EU nationals. Nationals of Portuguese-speaking countries (CPLP) and EU citizens will benefit from a reduced 7-year requirement. The new timeline aligns Portugal more closely with other EU member states that impose 7–10 year thresholds.
Importantly, the calculation of residency begins from the issuance of the residence permit, not the date of application. This change impacts all immigration pathways, including the Portugal Golden Visa, by lengthening the effective wait for citizenship.
Integration Criteria: Language, Culture and Civic Allegiance
In addition to the A2-level Portuguese language test, applicants must now:
- Pass a civic integration test, covering Portuguese history, democratic institutions, rights and duties of citizens, and cultural knowledge.
- Make a formal declaration of allegiance to the principles of the Portuguese Republic and rule of law.
- Demonstrate financial self-sufficiency and a clean criminal record.
The civic test will be outlined in secondary legislation. Until then, applicants are advised to prepare for the new regime by enrolling in approved language and integration courses.
Birthright Citizenship (Jus Soli) Tightened
Previously, a child born in Portugal to foreign parents could obtain citizenship if one parent had resided legally in Portugal for one year. This has now increased to five years. Moreover, nationality is no longer automatically conferred at birth – it must be formally requested by the parents, reinforcing Portugal’s commitment to deliberate integration.
Citizenship Revocation Clause
Though not included directly in the nationality law, a related amendment to the Penal Code allows the revocation of citizenship for naturalised dual nationals convicted of crimes punishable by a 5-year prison sentence or more. This clause will be tested for constitutional conformity and is expected to face judicial scrutiny.
End of Sephardic Jewish Descendant Route
Portugal’s citizenship route for descendants of Sephardic Jews has been abolished in the final 2025 law. The government cited the need for policy alignment and better verification controls. While the move is symbolic and historical in impact, it also closes one of Portugal’s most liberal ancestry-based citizenship options.
Limited Transitional Measures
The law protects only those applications submitted before the effective date. There is no grace period for individuals close to eligibility under the previous 5-year rule. This affects Golden Visa holders and D7 passive income residents who had been planning naturalisation in the near term.
There is no retroactivity clause: the law will apply prospectively from the date of publication in the Diário da República, expected in November 2025, subject to presidential promulgation.
Awaiting Promulgation or Judicial Review
The President of the Republic has 20 days from final parliamentary approval to either:
- Promulgate the law
- Veto it politically
- Refer it to the Constitutional Court for preventive review
At the time of writing, the law has not yet been promulgated. Observers expect the President to request constitutional scrutiny due to concerns over the citizenship revocation clause and the lack of transitional protections. Depending on the Court’s judgment, the law may be revised or enacted in full before the end of 2025.
What This Means for You
Anyone planning to apply for Portuguese citizenship in the next 6–12 months should take urgent advice. Applicants close to the 5-year mark may still qualify under the previous law if they file before the new law takes effect.
Long-term planning is now essential for Golden Visa investors and international families seeking EU citizenship through Portugal. With the 10-year timeline, permanent residency after 5 years becomes a critical milestone, especially as the investment can typically be withdrawn after PR is obtained.
The law ushers in a stricter, more integration-oriented model of nationality. Portugal remains open, but access to citizenship now demands time, presence, and cultural connection.
Alternative Citizenship and Residence Programmes
With Portugal’s naturalisation period now extended, global families may wish to assess other EU-compliant routes offering a clearer timeline or greater flexibility. Malta’s Citizenship by Merit rules, for example, allows for naturalisation following a minimum of 8 months of legal residence, provided applicants meet specific philanthropic or investment-based contribution requirements aligned with Malta’s national interest. The programme is structured to emphasise integration, but with a defined pathway underpinned by regulated due diligence and transparent policy objectives.
For those seeking long-term residence rights without immediate naturalisation, the Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP) and Greece’s Golden Visa remain attractive alternatives. These programmes offer EU residency with low physical presence requirements, providing lifestyle access, travel mobility, and succession planning advantages, while leaving citizenship as a future option rather than a guaranteed outcome.
These options merit evaluation for clients whose timelines, tax planning, or family dynamics may no longer align with Portugal’s revised requirements.
