If you have been following immigration news in Portugal, this may feel familiar. After months of legal back and forth, Parliament has once again approved changes to the nationality law. These updates could affect foreigners living in Portugal, future applicants, and children born in the country.
What Just Happened
On April 1, 2026, Portugal’s Parliament approved a revised version of the nationality law after parts of an earlier version were rejected by the Constitutional Court in December 2025. The new proposal passed with support from several right leaning and center right parties, while left wing parties voted against it.
The supporting parties include PSD, a center right party, CDS-PP, a conservative party, Iniciativa Liberal, which supports free market policies, and Chega, a right wing populist party. Opposition came from PS and other left leaning groups.
Because this is considered an organic law in Portugal, it required an absolute majority in Parliament. That threshold was reached, which allows the proposal to move forward in the legislative process.
It Will Take Longer to Become Portuguese
The most significant change is the increase in the residency requirement for citizenship. Under the current law, a foreign resident can apply after five years of legal residence. Under the new proposal, that requirement would increase to ten years.
There is a reduced timeline for certain groups. Citizens of the European Union and countries that are part of the CPLP would be eligible after seven years instead of ten.
For those unfamiliar with CPLP terminology, it stands for Comunidade dos Países de Língua Portuguesa, or Community of Portuguese Language Countries. This group includes Brazil, Angola, Mozambique, São Tomé and Príncipe, Guinea Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, East Timor, and Cape Verde, where Portuguese is an official language.
This change would make Portugal a slower path to citizenship compared to its current system, which has been considered one of the more accessible in Europe.
Fewer Children Born in Portugal Will Qualify
The law will also change how nationality is granted to children born in Portugal to foreign parents. At present, a child can qualify if one parent has lived in the country for one year, even without full legal status. However, under the new law, that parent would need five years of legal residence. This is a substantial increase and changes how quickly families can secure nationality for their children.
This adjustment will likely reduce the number of children who automatically qualify, especially among families who have recently arrived or are still stabilizing their residency status.
A New Requirement to Prove Integration
Another major change is the introduction of a requirement to demonstrate knowledge of Portugal. Applicants will need to show understanding of the Portuguese language, culture, history, and national symbols.
This will likely be done through a test or an official certificate although final requirements have still not been outlined. The requirement appears broader than the current language standard, which focuses mainly on basic communication skills.
Stricter Rules on Criminal Records
The new law also tightens rules related to criminal history. Applicants may be denied nationality if they have been convicted of serious crimes with sentences longer than three years. These crimes include terrorism, violent crime, and organized crime. While background checks are already part of the process, the new law provides clearer thresholds and categories.
This change aligns Portugal more closely with other European countries that apply stricter standards when evaluating an applicant’s legal history.
The Idea of a Real Connection Remains
Portugal has long required applicants to show a genuine connection to the country. This concept has always been somewhat flexible and open to interpretation.
The updated law keeps this requirement and clarifies that certain factors can be considered. These include criminal convictions or actions seen as offensive to national symbols. This means that authorities will continue to have some discretion when evaluating applications. Not every decision will be based only on fixed criteria.
Loss of Nationality and New Safeguards
The law maintains that Portuguese nationality can be revoked if it was obtained through fraud. This principle already exists in the current legal framework.
However, the new version introduces a safeguard for third parties acting in good faith. This is intended to protect individuals such as children who were not involved in any wrongdoing. This adjustment aims to prevent unintended consequences for family members who could otherwise be affected by another person’s actions.
The Law Is Not Final Yet
Although Parliament has approved the proposal, it is not yet in force. The process still requires action from the President of the Republic.
The new Portuguese president can sign the law, veto it, or send it back to the Constitutional Court for further review. Since the previous version faced constitutional issues, further scrutiny remains possible.
This means there is still some uncertainty about whether the law will take effect exactly as it is currently written.
What This Means in Practice
If this law comes into effect, it will represent a clear shift in Portugal’s approach to nationality. The process will take longer, requirements will be stricter, and fewer people will qualify automatically.
For those already living in Portugal, applying for citizenship, if you are already eligible, should be done as soon as possible. For those planning a move, a longer timeline should be expected. When you apply to move to Portugal, you should expect to wait 10 years rather than the previous five unless this new proposal is struck down again by the president or Constitutional Court.
