Portugal’s new nationality law was officially published in the Diário da República on 18 May 2026, through Organic Law No. 1/2026.

An official correction, Declaration of Rectification No. 17/2026/1, was also published on the same day.

The law entered into force on 19 May 2026.

This means the reform is no longer simply a legislative proposal or a matter of political debate. It is now part of Portugal’s legal framework.

However, while the law is officially in force, important practical questions remain regarding its implementation, transitional provisions, and the treatment of residence periods affected by immigration processing delays.

Here’s what we know so far.

Citizenship Timelines Are Now Longer

Under the previous legal framework, many foreign residents were eligible to apply for Portuguese citizenship after five years of legal residence.

Under the new law, the minimum residence requirements for naturalization have increased:

  • EU and CPLP nationals: 7 years of legal residence.
  • Most other foreign nationals: 10 years of legal residence.

This represents one of the most significant changes to Portugal’s nationality framework in recent years.

The reform also introduces additional integration requirements, including knowledge of Portuguese language, culture, history, national symbols, and fundamental civic principles.

As a result, Portugal’s pathway to citizenship through residence has become longer and more demanding.

One of the Biggest Changes Concerns How Residence Time Is Counted

For many current residents, this may be one of the most consequential aspects of the reform.

Under the previous framework, the law expressly allowed the period between submitting an application for a temporary residence permit and its approval to count towards nationality eligibility, provided the application was ultimately approved.

The new legislation removes that specific provision.

This raises important questions for individuals who have spent months or even years waiting for immigration appointments, application decisions, or the issuance of their first residence permit.

Why does this matter?

Because administrative delays have been a significant challenge in Portugal’s immigration system, particularly during the transition from SEF to AIMA.

Under the new framework:

  • Time spent waiting for an initial residence permit may no longer be counted in the same way as under the previous rules.
  • Applicants affected by lengthy administrative delays may face longer citizenship timelines.
  • Maintaining clear documentation of legal residence and immigration applications is increasingly important.

Under the new law, the period of legal residence required for Portuguese citizenship is counted from the date the first residence permit is issued, rather than from the date the residence permit application was submitted.

For example, someone who arrived in Portugal in 2025 but only received their first residence permit in 2027 will have their citizenship eligibility period calculated from 2027, regardless of how long they waited for AIMA to process their application.

This means that time spent waiting for the initial residence permit no longer counts towards citizenship eligibility, even when the delays are entirely attributable to the immigration authorities.

As a result, administrative delays may significantly extend the overall timeline for obtaining Portuguese citizenship.

What Happens to People Already Living in Portugal?

This is one of the most important questions for current residents.

The new law includes transitional provisions establishing that administrative procedures already pending when the law entered into force remain subject to the previous legislation.

This is particularly relevant for individuals who had already submitted nationality applications before 19 May 2026.

However, an important distinction must be made between individuals with pending nationality applications and those who had accumulated years of legal residence but had not yet applied.

There are three main situations to consider.

1. People Who Had Already Completed Five Years of Residence

Individuals who had completed five years of legal residence before the new law entered into force may have satisfied the previous residence requirement.

However, having met the previous eligibility threshold does not necessarily mean that the former rules will continue to apply if no nationality application was submitted before the legislative change.

2. People Who Had Already Submitted Their Nationality Applications

The transitional provision expressly protects administrative procedures pending when the law entered into force.

Accordingly, nationality applications already submitted and pending on 19 May 2026 generally remain subject to the previous legal framework.

This distinction is particularly important for applicants who submitted their applications before the reform took effect.

3. People Who Were Still Accumulating Residence Time

This group may face some of the most significant consequences.

Individuals who had accumulated several years of legal residence but had not yet submitted a nationality application may now need to satisfy the new seven- or ten-year requirement.

The treatment of previously accumulated residence periods, especially those affected by administrative delays, should be evaluated in light of the amended legislation.

What About New Arrivals?

People relocating to Portugal after the reform should generally plan their long-term citizenship strategy around the new residence requirements.

Portugal remains an attractive destination for quality of life, healthcare, education, safety, business opportunities, and access to the European Union.

However, obtaining Portuguese citizenship through residence now requires a longer-term commitment.

What Remains Unchanged? Permanent Residency

An important distinction is that the reform to Portugal’s nationality law does not, by itself, change the general framework for permanent residence permits.

Under the Immigration Law, eligible foreign nationals may generally apply for permanent residence after holding temporary residence authorization for at least five years, provided they meet the applicable requirements.

Permanent residence and citizenship are two different legal statuses.

A permanent residence authorization does not have an expiry date, although the physical residence card must generally be renewed every five years.

For many foreign residents, the long-term pathway may therefore look like this:

  1. Obtain temporary residence in Portugal.
  2. Maintain legal residence and comply with the applicable requirements.
  3. Apply for permanent residence after five years, where eligible.
  4. Apply for Portuguese citizenship once the relevant nationality requirements have been met.

It is important to remember that permanent residence does not automatically grant Portuguese citizenship or the rights associated with EU citizenship.

What Are the Current Requirements for Permanent Residency?

Requirements may vary depending on the applicant’s residence category and individual circumstances.

However, applicants should generally expect to provide documentation such as:

  • A valid passport or travel document.
  • A current residence permit.
  • Proof of accommodation in Portugal.
  • Evidence of sufficient means of subsistence.
  • Proof of having held temporary residence authorization for the required period.
  • Evidence of compliance with tax and Social Security obligations.
  • Proof of basic Portuguese language knowledge, generally at A2 level or through another accepted qualification.
  • Criminal record information, where required.

Applicants may also need to authorize the Portuguese authorities to consult their criminal records.

Additional documents may be requested depending on the applicant’s specific circumstances.

What About Children Born in Portugal?

The new legislation also changes certain rules concerning Portuguese nationality for children born in Portugal to foreign parents.

Under the amended framework, nationality at birth may depend on the parents’ legal residence status and the length of time they have legally resided in Portugal.

In particular, the law provides a route to Portuguese nationality at birth for certain children whose parent has legally resided in Portugal for at least five years, subject to the applicable conditions.

Separate naturalization provisions may also apply to minors born in Portugal.

However, having a child born in Portugal does not automatically grant Portuguese nationality or residence rights to the parents.

Parents must continue to rely on their own legal grounds for residence or nationality.

Portugal Is Still Attractive. But the Conversation Is Changing.

Portugal continues to offer many of the qualities that attract international residents: safety, healthcare, climate, education, infrastructure, business opportunities, and long-term European stability.

However, the new nationality law represents a significant shift towards a longer and more demanding citizenship process, with greater emphasis on residence history and integration requirements.

For current residents, this makes it increasingly important to:

  • Keep organized records of residence permits, applications, appointments, and administrative correspondence.
  • Avoid unnecessary gaps in legal residence status.
  • Monitor residence permit renewals carefully.
  • Understand how administrative delays may affect future nationality applications.
  • Plan long-term immigration and citizenship strategies well in advance.

For future expats, Portugal should increasingly be viewed as a long-term relocation destination rather than a fast-track route to European citizenship.

The key takeaway

As of October 2026, Portugal’s new nationality law is officially in force.

The main legislative changes are established, but their practical application to individual cases, particularly those involving pending immigration procedures and previously accumulated residence periods, requires careful assessment.

The distinction between residence rights, permanent residence, and citizenship has become more important than ever.

For anyone planning to build a future in Portugal, understanding these differences early can make a meaningful difference to long-term immigration planning.

Frequently Asked Questions

Automatically Created

What are the new residence requirements for Portuguese citizenship in 2026?
Under the new law, EU and CPLP nationals must have 7 years of legal residence, while most other foreign nationals need 10 years before applying for citizenship.
Does time spent waiting for a residence permit count towards citizenship eligibility?
No, under the new law, only the period after the first residence permit is issued counts towards citizenship eligibility. Time spent waiting for the initial permit is no longer included.
Are there transitional rules for people who applied for citizenship before the law changed?
Yes, nationality applications submitted and pending before 19 May 2026 are generally processed under the previous legal framework.
What additional requirements are included in the new nationality law?
The reform introduces new integration requirements, such as demonstrating knowledge of the Portuguese language, culture, history, national symbols, and civic principles.
If I completed five years of residence before the law changed but did not apply for citizenship, do the old rules still apply to me?
Not necessarily. Meeting the previous residence requirement alone does not guarantee the old rules apply if you did not submit your nationality application before the new law took effect.