Immigration · Portuguese Citizenship by Residence

You May Already Qualify for Portuguese Citizenship

The 5-Year Rule Remains in Effect — But Parliament is expected to reappraise the vetoed Nationality Law in April 2026. A revised version, with unconstitutional provisions removed, could pass and increase the residency requirement. Apply now while the current law is in force.

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Find out if you qualify under the current 5-year rule before it may change.

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If you've been living in Portugal on a D7, D8, Golden Visa, or work permit, you may be closer to Portuguese citizenship than you realize. The Constitutional Court blocked key provisions of the proposed Nationality Law in December 2025, and President Marcelo vetoed the legislation — the current 5-year requirement remains in effect for now. However, Parliament is expected to reappraise the vetoed law in April 2026, potentially passing a revised version with the unconstitutional provisions removed. Under current law, the residency period counts from when you had your biometrics appointment — not when you received your card. Now is the time to secure your pathway to citizenship before the law may change.

The legal situation

What's Happening with Portuguese Nationality Law

On October 28, 2025, the Portuguese Parliament approved amendments to the Nationality Law (Lei n.º 37/81) with 157 votes in favor (PSD, Chega, IL, CDS-PP, JPP) and 64 against (PS, Livre, PCP, BE, PAN). The proposed changes would have increased the minimum residency requirement from 5 to 7 years (or 10 years for certain categories).

The Socialist Party (PS) submitted a constitutional challenge, and on December 15, 2025, the Constitutional Court ruled four key provisions unconstitutional — three unanimously. The Court also struck down the proposed loss of nationality as a criminal penalty.

On December 19, 2025, President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa vetoed the legislation and returned it to Parliament.

Parliament is expected to reappraise the vetoed law in April 2026. The Government intends to remove the unconstitutional provisions and resubmit the law for approval by the new President, António José Seguro, who took office in March 2026.

Key message: Applications submitted now should be decided under the current 5-year law (Article 6, n.º 1, alínea b) of Lei n.º 37/81). Acting promptly is critical — once a revised law is enacted, the residency requirement may increase significantly.

Sources: Lei n.º 37/81, de 3 de Outubro (current Nationality Law) | Constitutional Court ruling, December 15, 2025 | Presidential veto, December 19, 2025 | Parliamentary reappraisal expected April 2026

Time counting

Your Residency Clock Started Earlier Than Your Card Arrived

Under Article 15, n.º 4 of the current Nationality Law (introduced by Lei Orgânica n.º 1/2024, effective April 1, 2024), your legal residency period begins counting from the date you had your biometrics appointment — not from when you received your residence permit card. Under the current law, that waiting time counts toward your 5 years.

  • iGolden Visa application filed online: January 2021.
  • iiAIMA appointment for the biometrics: October 2022.
  • iiiResidence card finally issued: May 2023.
  • iv5 years complete under current law: January 2026 — versus May 2028 if counted from card issuance, or May 2033 under the proposed law.

Golden Visa

Golden Visa Holders: Your Path to Citizenship

If you obtained Portuguese residency through the Golden Visa program, you have full eligibility for citizenship by naturalization — regardless of how much time you've physically spent in Portugal.

  • iGolden Visa residence time fully counts toward the 5-year nationality requirement.
  • iiThe 7-day (year 1) and 14-day (years 2-5) requirements don't affect your nationality eligibility.
  • iiiDependent family members on your Golden Visa can also apply for citizenship once they meet residency requirements.

Requirements

Current Requirements for Citizenship by Residence

  • iLegal residence: minimum 5 years under current law (counting from visa application submission).
  • iiPortuguese language: A2 level certificate required (CPLP nationals — Brazil, Angola, etc. — are exempt).
  • iiiClean criminal record: no conviction resulting in 3+ years imprisonment (Portugal and country of origin).
  • ivNo security concerns: no involvement in terrorism, violent crime, or threats to national security.
  • vAge: 18 years old or legally emancipated.
  • viGovernment fee: €250 application fee.

Our process

How We Guide Your Citizenship Application

  1. Eligibility assessment. We review your complete residence history, entry dates, visa applications, and documentation to confirm you qualify under current law and calculate your exact timeline.
  2. Document compilation. We prepare a comprehensive document checklist tailored to your situation, including criminal record certificates, proof of residence, language certification, and any additional requirements.
  3. Application preparation. We draft and review your nationality application, ensuring all information is accurate and complete before submission to the Conservatória dos Registos Centrais.
  4. Submission & tracking. We submit your application and monitor its progress, handling any requests for additional documentation or clarification from authorities.
  5. Registration & certificate. Upon approval, we assist with your civil registration as a Portuguese citizen and obtaining your Portuguese citizenship certificate and passport application.

Current processing times at Conservatória: 12-18 months from submission to decision.

FAQ

Frequently Asked.

Yes, for now. On December 15, 2025, the Constitutional Court ruled key provisions of the proposed law unconstitutional. On December 19, 2025, President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa vetoed the legislation and returned it to Parliament. However, the Parliament is expected to reappraise the vetoed law in April 2026. A revised version — with the unconstitutional provisions removed — may be approved and sent to the new President for signature. The current 5-year rule remains in force until new legislation is enacted.
Parliament approved amendments to the Nationality Law on October 28, 2025 (157-64 votes). The Constitutional Court ruled four provisions unconstitutional on December 15, 2025, and the President vetoed the legislation on December 19, 2025. The law was returned to Parliament, which is expected to reappraise it in April 2026 by removing the unconstitutional provisions. The new President, António José Seguro, may then sign the revised law into effect.
Yes, fully. Time under Golden Visa residence authorization counts toward the 5-year nationality requirement. The minimal physical presence requirements don't affect your nationality eligibility. If you received your Golden Visa in 2019 or 2020, you may already qualify.
Under Article 15, n.º 4 of the current law, your residency period counts from when you submitted your Residence Permit application — not from when you received your card. In your example, the 5 years would count from 2020.
Applications submitted under the current law should be decided under the 5-year requirement. However, with Parliament expected to reappraise the law in April 2026, it is critical to submit your application promptly to benefit from the current rules. The sooner your application is filed, the stronger your position.
Yes, you need to demonstrate A2-level Portuguese proficiency through a certified test. Exception: Nationals of CPLP countries (Brazil, Angola, Mozambique, etc.) are exempt from the language requirement.
Portugal allows dual (and multiple) citizenship. You do not need to renounce your current nationality to become Portuguese. However, your home country's rules may differ.
The government application fee is €250. Our Attorney Fees start at 1.150,00€ and depend on the complexity of your case. We provide fee estimates after an initial assessment.

All our Attorneys-at-Law are enrolled in the Portuguese Bar Association (Ordem dos Advogados). This website provides general information about Portuguese nationality law and does not constitute legal advice for your specific situation. The legal framework regarding Portuguese nationality requirements is actively evolving — Parliament is expected to reappraise the vetoed Nationality Law in April 2026. Information on this page reflects the law as of March 2026 and is subject to change. We recommend consulting with a lawyer to understand how current and proposed laws apply to your individual circumstances. No one can guarantee outcomes or processing times. Any other information is misleading and/or not following all the legal procedures.

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