Portugal’s Parliament has approved major amendments to the Nationality Law. Here’s what they mean for foreign residents and investors — and what to expect next as the reform undergoes presidential review.
 

Article by Inês Costa Moura on behalf of the IAS Team
 

The Portuguese Parliament has approved a series of amendments to the Nationality Law, reshaping the path to citizenship.

These changes — among the most comprehensive in recent years — reflect a political attempt to tighten formal requirements and create clearer criteria for integration. While the reform introduces longer timelines and additional conditions, it does not restrict access to citizenship. It simply adjusts the framework.

At IAS, our focus is not on the rhetoric around restriction, but on the practical outcome for our clients. Portugal continues to offer one of Europe’s most transparent and reliable paths to residency and eventual citizenship. The key is understanding how to plan under the new timing.

For foreign residents — especially Golden Visa (GV) investors — this is not an ending, but an adjustment. A call to plan ahead, not panic. IAS will continue to support each step with clarity and foresight.

NOTE: The points outlined below reflect the proposal as approved by Parliament based on the information currently available. The final text of the law has not yet been published, and some wording or provisions may differ in the official version. Once the definitive text is released, IAS will update this article on our website to reflect any confirmed changes and provide a revised summary if needed.
 

I. General Amendments Affecting All Foreign Residents

1. Children Born in Portugal

Until now, children born in Portugal to foreign parents residing legally in the country could automatically acquire nationality by origin, regardless of how long their parents had lived legally here.

Under the new law:

• At least one parent must have been a legal resident for five years before the child's birth;

This narrows the jus soli principle and aligns birth-based nationality with proven residence and social integration.

2. Grandchildren of Portuguese Citizens

Applicants who are grandchildren of Portuguese nationals must now show more than lineage. They must demonstrate:

• Knowledge of the Portuguese language; and
• Familiarity with Portuguese culture, society and traditions.

This ensures nationality by descent continues to reflect a real and sustained link to the country.

3. Citizenship by Marriage or Partnership

This route remains available, but two additional safeguards apply:

• The applicant must not have a criminal record; and
• Must not represent a threat to national security or public order.

This standardizes what was previously handled through administrative discretion, creating more predictability for applicants.

4. Proof of Financial Capacity

Applicants must now demonstrate financial self-sufficiency.

 5. End of the Sephardic Jewish Naturalization Route

The Sephardic Jewish naturalisation regime will formally end upon publication of the law.
This closure marks the conclusion of a historically symbolic programme that had already been gradually restricted.
 

II. Amendments of Particular Relevance to Golden Visa and Residence-Based Applicants

6. Increased Residence Period for Naturalisation

The minimum legal residence period required for naturalisation has been extended:

• From five to seven years for CPLP and EU citizens; and
• From five to ten years for all other foreign nationals.

This change affects timing, not eligibility. GV holders remain fully entitled to apply for citizenship after the required period, once the residence history is established.

7. New Cultural and Civic Knowledge Requirements

In addition to the existing A2 Portuguese language level, applicants must now show:

• Knowledge of Portuguese culture, history, and national symbols, and
• Understanding of civic duties, democratic values, and the rule of law.

Regulation of the new assessment will be issued by regulation once the law is enacted.
IAS expects the process to remain accessible, with tests focused on basic knowledge — not academic study — similar to those used in other EU countries.

8. Stricter Criminal Record Rules and Sanctions

The new law introduces tighter eligibility criteria for applicants with criminal or compliance concerns:

• The disqualifying threshold for criminal convictions has been reduced from offences punishable by three years to two years of imprisonment; and
• Applicants listed on United Nations sanctions lists will also be excluded from eligibility.

These measures apply only to citizenship (nationality) applications and do not affect Golden Visa or residency processes that keep the current requirements.

9. Counting of Residence Periods

Under the new law, the residence period required for naturalization will be counted from the date the first residence card is issued, rather than from the submission date of the initial application.

This change is particularly relevant for Golden Visa (GV) holders, as residence cards are often issued several months after approval, effectively delaying the start of the residence period for citizenship eligibility. The measure has generated significant debate and may still be amended or refined in the event of a presidential veto.

NOTE: On 29 October 2025, AIMA began issuing biometric appointment notices for applicants who were pending biometric collection and had resubmitted their documents earlier this year. Based on our assessment, there does not appear to be any chronological order being followed in the scheduling process.

10. Entry into Force

The proposal determines that the reform will enter into effect immediately after publication. However, applications already submitted before that date will continue to be processed under the previous legal framework, maintaining the five-year rule.

In past reforms of a similar nature, governments have frequently introduced transitional measures or adjustments following the President’s observations before promulgation. It would therefore not be unexpected to see comparable modifications adopted in this case. These points have also been at the center of the political discussion surrounding the reform, particularly during the parliamentary debates that preceded approval.
 

III. Parliamentary Debate and Constitutional Outlook

During the parliamentary debate, Pedro Delgado Alves, a deputy from the Socialist Party (PS), expressed several key concerns regarding the approved version of the law:

Constitutional concerns: He warned that the new rules on the loss of nationality may create unconstitutional distinctions between citizens and could potentially introduce retroactive effects that would undermine legal certainty.

Criteria for naturalisation: He argued that the residence period for naturalisation should be seven years instead of the proposed ten, noting that even this increase from the previous five years could be constitutionally questionable.

Transition to the new rules: He advocated that the current version of the law should remain in force for individuals who already have applications in progress, to avoid frustrating legitimate expectations.

Procedural fairness: He proposed that applications submitted by individuals already holding residence permits by the time the new law enters into force should continue to be evaluated under the existing five-year rule.

Basis of government proposals: He cautioned that the government’s proposed changes to both the Nationality Law and the Foreigners Law are based on perceptions rather than evidence, suggesting that fears of a “pull effect” have not been substantiated by data.

These remarks highlight ongoing constitutional and practical concerns that could influence the President’s forthcoming decision.

The law now awaits review by the President of the Republic, who may:

1. Ratify it immediately.
2. Return it to Parliament for revision; or
3. Refer it to the Constitutional Court.

From IAS’s perspective, considering the significant political division in Parliament and the intense public debate surrounding the new rules, it is likely that the President of the Republic will opt for scenario (ii) or (iii) — either returning the law to Parliament for revision or submitting it to the Constitutional Court for review. Similar to previous cases — such as the 2023 and 2025 Foreigners Law reforms — a parliamentary revision or constitutional review could therefore be requested to reinforce proportionality, protect legitimate expectations, and ensure the long-term constitutional coherence of the Nationality Law.

Moreover, given the political division in Parliament and the lack of a broad consensus, the President is expected to approach the reform with caution. A law of this significance would normally command broad agreement across parties and society; however, this proposal has instead revealed deep political and ideological divides.

As a result, the President may view the reform as failing to fully comply with constitutional principles and lacking the social legitimacy and stability expected of legislation intended to endure within Portuguese society. He could therefore decide to veto the law.
 

IV. Permanent Residency: A Defining Advantage for Golden Visa Holders

As noted above regarding potential changes to the nationality law, one major advantage amid this uncertainty is that Portugal’s Permanent Residency (PR) framework remains unchanged. It continues to represent one of the most coherent and advantageous long-term residence options in Europe.

After five years from the issuance of the first residence card, Golden Visa holders may apply for PR under the same legal conditions. The current average processing time is around six months, and once PR is granted, investors may divest their qualifying investment without affecting their legal residence status. This marks the transition from an investment-based permit to a permanent, independent residence right in Portugal.

As a general rule, permanent residents must not be absent from Portugal for more than 24 consecutive months or 30 interpolated months within a three-year period. However, Golden Visa residents and their family members are exempt, needing only to spend seven days per year in Portugal to maintain their PR status.

This exemption remains one of the most distinctive features of Portugal’s residence regime — combining legal certainty with practical flexibility. It allows investors to maintain residence rights, mobility, and a European base without mandatory relocation or tax residency in Portugal.

Permanent Residency grants the right to live, work, and study in Portugal, together with visa-free movement within the Schengen Area and access to nearly all rights enjoyed by citizens, except political participation. For many GV investors — particularly from jurisdictions that restrict dual nationality — PR often becomes a final, secure status, ensuring long-term residence and European access within a framework grounded in stability and transparency.

Further details on PR eligibility and requirements are available HERE.
 

V. Conclusion

The amendments represent a recalibration of the nationality process, not a restriction of Portugal’s immigration model. They may lengthen the path, but they do not change its direction.

As the legislative process now moves to the presidential stage, investors and residents should remain informed — but calm.

Importantly, the Presidency of the Republic has historically taken a balanced and pragmatic approach to migration and citizenship matters, often moderating restrictive drafts adopted in Parliament. For this reason, IAS does not expect this to be the final version of the law. A constitutional review or presidential revision is likely to refine both timing and implementation details before publication.

At this stage, there is no need for individual action or case-specific assessment. The information provided reflects the current legal and political landscape, and no changes have yet been enacted. Once the President’s decision and the final version of the law are published, IAS will release an updated note detailing any confirmed implications.

Until then, clients and partners are encouraged to rely on this guidance as the most accurate information available and await further updates as the legislative process concludes. IAS will continue to monitor the presidential review and any Constitutional Court proceedings, keeping clients and partners informed with timely, actionable updates — ensuring that every applicant moves forward with clarity, confidence, and trust in Portugal’s long-term legal and investment framework.