The new law was officially published in Portugal’s Diário da República today.

The changes become effective tomorrow.


One of the biggest changes:

Time spent waiting for residency approval will no longer count toward citizenship eligibility.

The countdown now starts only after the residence permit is issued.

  • For CPLP citizens, including Brazilians, the minimum legal residency period increases from 5 to 7 years before applying for Portuguese nationality.

  • For non CPLP citizens, the minimum residency period increases to 10 years.

This changes citizenship timelines for many future applicants.

Another major update:

Children born in Portugal to immigrant parents will now require 5 years of regular legal residency from at least one of the parents to qualify for nationality rights.

What remains unchanged?

Permanent residency rules remain unchanged.

Residents can still apply for permanent residency after 5 years of legal residency in Portugal, and once granted, the permit is valid for 5 years.

Stage

Duration

Status

Temporary Residence

5 years (renewable every 2 years)

Temporary Residence Permit

Permanent Residence

5 years

Permanent Residence Permit

Citizenship Eligibility

After completing 10 years of legal residency for most nationalities and 7 years for CPLP citizens

Eligible to apply for Portuguese Citizenship

If you already live in Portugal or are planning your move, these changes may directly affect your future timeline.

Frequently Asked Questions

Automatically Created

When do the changes to Portugal's nationality law take effect?
The changes become effective the day after their publication in Portugal’s Diário da República.
How has the residency requirement changed for CPLP citizens applying for Portuguese nationality?
For CPLP citizens, the minimum legal residency period has increased from 5 to 7 years before they can apply for Portuguese nationality.
What is the new residency requirement for non CPLP citizens seeking Portuguese nationality?
Non CPLP citizens now need to complete a minimum of 10 years of residency before applying for Portuguese nationality.
Does the time waiting for residency approval count towards citizenship eligibility in Portugal?
No, the time spent waiting for residency approval no longer counts; the countdown starts only after the residence permit is issued.
What are the requirements for children born in Portugal to immigrant parents to gain nationality rights?
Children born in Portugal to immigrant parents now require 5 years of regular legal residency from at least one parent to qualify for nationality rights.