A new proposal from the Portuguese government could dramatically reshape who qualifies for Portuguese citizenship — and how long they’ll have to wait.
On June 23rd, the government approved a bill to increase the minimum legal residency period to obtain Portuguese nationality.
The plan:
- 10 years of residence for most foreigners
- 7 years for citizens of Portuguese-speaking (CPLP) countries
- A language and culture test
- A solemn declaration of commitment to Portugal’s democratic values
- And stricter rules for descendants and family reunification
This bill now heads to the Assembly of the Republic, where it will be debated and voted on. It is not yet law, but the government is clearly pushing for reform.
What Exactly Is Being Proposed?
Here’s a breakdown of the key points from the government’s June 23 announcement:
Current Rule | Proposed Change |
---|---|
5 years of legal residence | 10 years (7 for CPLP nationals) |
A2 language requirement | Expanded test including culture & civics (as well as language test) |
Residency clock | Starts from residence permit, not application date |
Family reunification | Only possible after 2 years of residency |
Descendants born in Portugal | Must express will; parents must reside legally for 3 years |
These changes will likely only apply to future applications — not to current pending cases. The exception is citizenship by descent, where new rules could apply retroactively from June 19th.
Portugalist Take: This Could Happen — But It Hasn’t Yet
The big question: Is this going to pass?
Maybe. This isn’t law yet. It’s just a bill. But it’s a strong political signal, and coming from the governing party, it stands a real chance of becoming law — possibly with some modifications.
What’s more certain is that Portugal is tightening its approach to immigration and naturalization, at least on paper. Whether the system can enforce it effectively remains to be seen.
Portugal Would Still Be Worthwhile — Even at 10 years for citizenship
Even if the timeline is extended to 7 or even 10 years, Portugal may still remain a strong option.
Here’s why:
- Portugal offers a very good quality of life, particularly in terms of safety and for many people, cost of living. Many people leaving the US, for example, are doing so because of extreme fears about safety and the political direction of their country. Yes, it’ll be annoying to have to wait longer for citizenship, but many weren’t planning on returning to the US anytime soon.
- Other EU countries may look more appealing, particularly those that only require 5 years of residency before you can apply for citizenship, but many of those countries don’t have the attainable visas Portugal has. So yes, another country may only require you to live there for 5 years, but can you actually move there in the first place?
- Comparable countries will still have their downsides. Spain, for example, requires 10 years of residency before you can apply for citizenship. But, it also typically doesn’t recognize dual citizenship. Portugal, on the other hand, recognizes dual citizenship.
- If Portugal brings back some form of NHR – another proposal in the works – Portugal may be even more appealing than somewhere like Spain, France, or Germany.
The Hidden Issue: Citizenship Processing Times
Another underreported issue: Even if the residency requirement stays at 5 years, most people wait 1–2 more years just to get their citizenship processed. That’s often the real barrier — not the law, but the delay.
If the government is serious about reform, cutting down wait times should be part of the conversation. People invest in Portugal, learn the language, raise families here — and then wait in limbo with no updates. That’s what discourages integration more than anything else.
Final Thoughts
Portugal is tightening its naturalization rules. This proposed law hasn’t passed yet — but it probably will in some form.
If you’re eligible under the current rules, now’s the time to submit your application. And if you’re thinking long term, consider how changing laws, language requirements, and tax regimes (like a possible new NHR) may affect your plan.
Whatever happens, Portugalist will be here to break it down — clearly, calmly, and without the noise.