What’s Changing in Portugal’s Citizenship Law?
- June 17th, 2025: the new Portuguese government, led by Prime Minister Mr. Luís Montenegro, unveiled its programme for the next 4 years in parliament. Among the many presented policies was a clear intent to revise Portugal’s nationality law.
- June 19th 2025: the government specified that all new nationality and residency processes submitted after this date would be evaluated under the new law, yet to be discussed in Parliament, with all the pending residency applications to be determined under the current law.
- June 23rd 2025: after a session of the Council of Ministers, the government officially approved the proposal. However, this does not mean that it is already law. While approved by the Council of Ministers, the new rules must still be discussed in Parliament before taking full legal effect. Since the current government does not hold an absolute majority, this means the proposal may still be subject to negotiation, amendments, or delay during the legislative process.
If you’re planning to apply for residency in Portugal, these changes could impact your timeline, application strategy, and long-term plans. Here's what you need to know.
1. You’ll have to wait more time until you become a Citizen
Under the new proposal, the minimum length of legal residency required to apply for Portuguese citizenship will increase to:
- 7 years for nationals from Portuguese-speaking countries (CPLP, which refers to the Community of Portuguese Language Countries, including Brazil, Angola, Mozambique, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, São Tomé and Príncipe, East Timor, and Equatorial Guinea.)
- 10 years for nationals from all other countries.
Fundamentally, the biggest change is that this new timeline begins counting from the date the residency permit is officially issued. This marks a significant departure from the previous arrangement, which started to count the time from the moment you submitted your residency application.
2. You’ll have to show you’re integrated in Portuguese society and values
The new requirements demand that applicants reveal knowledge of the Portuguese language, culture, rights and civic duties. Furthermore, they're expected to explicitly declare their alignment with the values of the democratic rule of law. These will be done through a series of tests, including:
- Proof of sufficient knowledge of the Portuguese language and culture
- Proof of sufficient knowledge of the rights and duties of Portuguese citizens
- And swear an oath to the adherence of the fundamental principles of a country governed by the rule of law.
The goal, according to government officials, is to ensure a stronger, more genuine and lasting link between applicants and Portuguese society, promoting active civic and cultural integration.
3. Family Reunification will be made more difficult
The new rules make family reunification significantly stricter. According to the official statement from the Portuguese government, applicants will need:
- 2 years of legal residency before family reunification rights apply
- To apply outside Portuguese territory and obtain approval before entry
- Adequate housing and sufficient means, excluding social benefits
Furthermore, new mandatory integration measures, such as language courses and school enrolment for minors will be introduced. Family reunification requests may be denied for reasons of public order, public health, or security.
4. You may lose your Portuguese Citizenship if you commit a crime
Naturalised citizens may now lose Portuguese nationality if convicted of serious crimes that result in prison sentences of 5 years or more.
Loss of nationality will only be applied to recent naturalisations and must be ruled by a judge.
5. Additional Updates
Alongside the headline changes to the nationality law, the Portuguese government has introduced several additional measures that further reshape the immigration and naturalisation landscape.
Sephardic Naturalisation Repealed
The government has officially repealed the special naturalisation route for descendants of Portuguese Sephardic Jews. This ends an exceptional regime that had allowed many to obtain nationality based on historical lineage.
Citizenship by Ancestry Restricted to Great-Grandchildren
Citizenship claims based on Portuguese ancestry will now be limited to individuals who can prove they are great-grandchildren of Portuguese nationals.
Work Visa Channel Restricted to Highly Qualified Individuals
Portugal will now issue job-seeker visas only to applicants with high qualifications. The country intends to attract skilled professionals through institutional agreements with universities and a new fast-track channel at AIMA.
Border & Immigration Unit Created within National Police
A new national border control and immigration enforcement unit will be created under the PSP (Public Security Police), marking a major institutional shift in how Portugal handles entries and deportations.
Will These New Rules Apply to Current Applications?
No. The government has clarified that only applications submitted after June 19th 2025 will be subject to these new requirements.
If your application for a D2 or Golden Visa is already under review, or has already been submitted before that date, your residency rights under the Golden Visa or D2 programs are protected. This means your path to residency and renewal conditions remain secure, even if the law changes later, as the Portuguese Constitution protects individuals from retroactive application of revised laws.
That said, new residency applications submitted from June 19th onward will automatically be evaluated under the revised law.
Will These New Rules Affect New Golden Visa and D2 Applicants?
Yes. However, we feel the need to stress that these changes are not yet law. They still require parliamentary discussion and approval before being enshrined into law. As of right now, the current regime still applies, and the cut-off date of June 19th might change to a date further down the road. Portugal remains one of Europe’s most welcoming and stable countries for residency by investment, but these updates make planning more important than ever:
- If your end goal is citizenship, you will now have to wait a longer time until you can apply for the Portuguese passport.
- If you're considering Portugal for long-term relocation or lifestyle, the D2 and Golden Visa still offer unmatched flexibility and access to the EU.
Furthermore, the Minister for Presidency, Mr. António Amaro Leitão, has clarified that residency by investment programs like the Golden Visa and the D2 Visa are not affected by the new changes to the family reunification arrangement, and that the Golden Visa minimum stay requirements are also unlikely to be changed.
Plus, in a recent Bloomberg interview, the Minister of the Presidency reaffirmed the government’s commitment to maintaining the Golden Visa program as a stable and strategic residency route.
Speak to Portugal Homes: Your Trusted Real Estate & Residency by Investment Company
At Portugal Homes, we’re here to guide you through the updated legal landscape and help you make smart decisions that reflect your goals and timeline. Based on your current status, we’ll be able to provide you with concrete advice on how to proceed. Essentially:
If you’ve already applied:
- Proceed as normal but be prepared for potential further delays.
If you’re looking to apply for a Golden Visa or D2 in the future:
- Anticipate your plans to prevent more changes in the future.
- Begin preparing documentation.
- Consult with Portugal Homes.
Whether you're starting a business in Portugal or investing in regulated funds, our advisors are ready to support you every step of the way.
