On October 28, 2025, the Portuguese Parliament approved major changes to the country’s nationality law, marking the most significant update to the legal framework for nationality in over a decade. The new law redefines the residency requirements, the process of acquiring citizenship, and the rights granted to residents and their children. These changes aim to manage migration more effectively while striking a balance between integration and legal stability.
This article highlights the key points of the new Portuguese nationality law, identifies the groups directly affected by these changes, and explains how current residents and applicants can make the most of new opportunities or adapt to the updated requirements.
Summary
- On October 28, 2025, the Portuguese Parliament approved major changes to the country’s citizenship law, including extending the residency period required for naturalization, tightening language and integration requirements, changing how residency time is calculated, and eliminating the fast-track citizenship path for descendants of Sephardic Jews.
- These changes directly affect new and long-term residents, Golden Visa investors, children born in Portugal to foreign parents, and individuals with criminal records, making the path to citizenship longer and more demanding.
- The new law marks a turning point in Portugal’s citizenship and immigration policies, requiring applicants and investors to carefully review their legal situation and plan strategically.
Table of Contents
Key Changes to Portuguese Nationality Law
- Longer Residency Time: Most applicants must now have 10 years of legal residency in Portugal before they can apply for citizenship. However, citizens from the European Union (EU) and CPLP countries (Portuguese-speaking nations) only require 7 years of residency.
- New Start Date for Residency Count: The clock for the required residency period now starts from the date the applicant’s first official residence permit card is issued, not from the date the initial application was filed or when they arrived in Portugal.
- Stricter Integration and Knowledge Tests: Beyond proving proficiency in the Portuguese language (Level A2 remains), applicants must now pass a Civic Knowledge Test covering Portuguese culture, laws, and history. Furthermore, applicants must formally declare their commitment to democratic principles and sign a pledge not to commit serious crimes or engage in activities that threaten public order.
- Changes for Children Born to Foreign Parents: Citizenship is no longer granted automatically upon birth. Now, at least one parent must have legally resided in Portugal for a minimum of 3 years before the child’s birth for the child to acquire citizenship.
- End of the Sephardic Jewish Citizenship Route: The special path to naturalization for descendants of Portuguese Sephardic Jews has been abolished for all new applicants. This closes what was previously one of the most prominent ways to obtain Portuguese citizenship.
- Potential Loss of Citizenship for Serious Crimes: The new law introduces the possibility of revoking granted citizenship if the holder is convicted of high-severity criminal offenses. Further details regarding the exact procedures and criteria for revocation are expected later.
The Legal and Parliamentary Context
Portuguese nationality law 2025 builds upon a long legal legacy, tracing back to the first dedicated Nationality Law issued in 1981. Until this latest amendment, the law required only five years of legal residency for citizenship, along with proof of Portuguese language skills and a clean record of serious crime. The previous legislation also permitted special, less restrictive pathways for granting citizenship to descendants of Sephardic Jews and to the children of foreign residents born in Portugal.
The most recent amendment went through several parliamentary and legal stages.
- Parliamentary Vote: On October 28, 2025, the Portuguese Parliament voted to approve the nationality law amendments with a significant majority (157 votes in favor versus 64 against). This vote followed months of extensive political, legal, and public debate, especially given the strong government coalition that included the right-wing Chega party.
- Presidential Review: After parliamentary approval, the law is sent to the President of the Republic. The President has the authority to either approve and sign the law, request a constitutional review from the Supreme Court, or veto it and return it to Parliament with observations. The President is given a 20-day deadline for this decision. If a constitutional challenge is raised, the Court must issue its ruling within an additional 25 days.
This carefully structured procedure ensures transparency and defines the precise timeline for when the changes to the Portuguese Nationality Law will take effect officially.
Who Is Directly Affected by the Portuguese Nationality law?
- New and existing residents: The law now requires at least seven years of legal residence for citizens of the EU and Portuguese-speaking countries (CPLP), and ten years for applicants of other nationalities—up from the previous five years. This extension increases the waiting period for citizenship, affecting thousands of immigrants and applicants already living in Portugal.
- Descendants of Sephardic Jews: The fast-track citizenship route for descendants of Sephardic Jews has been abolished. This pathway had been widely used by many Israelis and others seeking Portuguese citizenship, particularly after the 2023 data revealed that Israeli nationals represented a significant proportion of new citizens. The reform directly closes this option for future applicants.
- Applicants with criminal records: The new law tightens the clean criminal record requirement, making background checks more rigorous. It also allows citizenship to be revoked if the holder is convicted of serious crimes, introducing a new challenge for applicants with complex legal histories.
- Children of foreign parents born in Portugal: Under the amended law, at least one parent must have lived legally in Portugal for a longer period before their child can automatically obtain citizenship. This change directly affects children born to foreign parents residing in the country.
Impact on the Portugal Golden Visa Program
Extended Waiting Time: The legal residency period required before an investor can apply for citizenship has been extended, shifting from the uniform 5 years to either 7 or 10 years, depending on the applicant’s original nationality.
Delayed Start Date for the Clock: The crucial change is how the residency period is calculated: the clock now starts only when the actual residence permit card is issued, not from the initial application submission date. This crucial distinction dramatically extends the real waiting time before investors are eligible to file for citizenship.
No Longer a “Fast Track”: Although the basic residency rights remain intact, the path to full citizenship is no longer the quick route it once was. This means investors whose primary goal is acquiring a Portuguese passport must urgently re-evaluate their timelines, residency commitment, and overall legal strategy under the new, stricter requirements.
Can You Still Get Permanent Residency After 5 Years?
Yes, absolutely. Golden Visa holders can still obtain Permanent Residency in Portugal after five years of legal stay. In light of the recent changes to the Nationality Law, achieving Permanent Residency has become more critical than ever as a stable milestone.
Upon successful application and approval, investors receive a Permanent Residency Card, which is valid for five years and is renewable. Importantly, this status does not require continuous physical presence in Portugal or any new investment commitments, provided the applicant can demonstrate basic proficiency in the Portuguese language (Level A2).
Begin Your Path to Portuguese Citizenship with Confidence
The approval of Portugal’s Nationality Law of 2025 marks a significant turning point, redefining the residency and integration requirements for citizenship. Whether you are a new resident, an investor through the Golden Visa program, or applying based on ancestry, these changes call for an immediate review of your legal position. Adapting to the new framework requires a precise understanding of every detail.
If you plan to obtain residency through the Golden Visa and later transition to Portuguese citizenship, at Karibi Consultants, we understand the new challenges introduced by this reform. Our mission is to guide you through every requirement and ensure that your chosen investment pathway fully aligns with Portuguese nationality law.
Don’t let uncertainty affect your plans. Book your free consultation today with one of our legal experts and start your journey with confidence and clarity under the new regulations.
FAQs
When will the new law take effect?
The Portuguese nationality law will come into force once it is signed by the President of Portugal and officially published in the government’s official newspaper.
What is the new residency period required for citizenship?
The required residency period has been extended to 10 years for most applicants, and 7 years for citizens of Portuguese-speaking countries (CPLP) and EU member states.
Have the language or cultural integration requirements changed?
Yes, integration requirements have become stricter. The language requirement remains the same; applicants must prove A2-level proficiency in Portuguese. However, cultural integration now includes passing a test on Portuguese history, culture, and laws, as well as signing a formal declaration of commitment to democratic principles. This marks a stronger emphasis on national integration compared to the previous law.
