Portugal Approves Amendments to the Nationality Law

On 28 October 2025, the Portuguese Parliament approved a set of significant amendments to the Nationality Law, introducing new rules that extend the residence period required for naturalisation and add further integration conditions for foreign residents seeking Portuguese citizenship.

Under the new provisions, the minimum residence period for citizenship applications will increase from five to ten years, while nationals of European Union and CPLP (Community of Portuguese Language Countries) member states will be subject to a reduced period of seven years.

In addition to the extended residence requirement, applicants will now need to pass mandatory integration tests, which include a Portuguese language test (A2 level) and a civic knowledge and culture assessment. Applicants will also be required to demonstrate sufficient means of subsistence, supported by income or savings, as part of the application process.

The reform also brings important changes for children born in Portugal. The previous rule granting automatic nationality in certain cases has been revoked. Going forward, nationality will only be granted if at least one parent has been a legal resident in Portugal for over five years and a formal declaration of intent is submitted.

Another major change is the termination of the Sephardic route, which previously allowed descendants of Portuguese Jews expelled during the Inquisition to obtain citizenship through heritage. This pathway has now been officially closed to new applications.

Finally, the reform also tightens criminal record provisions. Citizenship applications will be refused in cases of conviction for offences punishable by more than two years of imprisonment, and newly naturalised citizens who are dual nationals may face loss of nationality if convicted of serious crimes within ten years of naturalisation.

These amendments are currently awaiting Presidential ratification and subsequent publication in the Official Gazette, after which they will enter into force. Importantly, pending or already submitted citizenship applications will not be affected by these changes.

For personalised advice on how the new Nationality Law may impact your citizenship eligibility or application strategy, please contact EDGE International Lawyers.