In June 2025, Portugal approved a draft law to tighten its citizenship rules — increasing the residency requirement from 5 to 10 years and introducing stricter integration tests. Find out what changes are coming, who may be affected, and how to prepare for Portugal’s new naturalization process

In June 2025, the Portuguese government approved a draft law significantly tightening the country’s immigration and citizenship policies. The most notable change: increasing the minimum legal residency period for naturalization from 5 to 10 years. If adopted by Parliament, the new rules could come into force as early as autumn 2025.

This marks a sharp turn from Portugal's traditionally liberal approach to citizenship. Once seen as one of the most accessible EU countries for naturalization, Portugal now appears to be aligning with a growing European trend of restricting fast-track citizenship and reinforcing integration requirements.

About changes in the procedure for obtaining citizenship for representatives of various countries, including Trinidad and Tobago, Morocco, and Zimbabwe, in this article.

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What will change under the new law?

On June 21, 2025, the Council of Ministers approved a comprehensive reform of Portugal’s immigration and nationality law. The proposed legislation, introduced by the ruling Democratic Alliance, is even stricter than previous proposals made by the far-right Chega party — some of which had been declared unconstitutional. It’s a clear message: the government wants to demonstrate it can be “tougher than the right.”

Key changes in the draft law

- Residency period doubled: Citizenship would be granted only after 10 years of legal residence (7 years for citizens of Portuguese-speaking countries).

- Automatic denial of citizenship applications for anyone with a criminal record, regardless of the offense.

- Mandatory tests on Portuguese language, culture, and civic duties will be introduced for all applicants.

- Citizenship revocation for individuals convicted of serious crimes punishable by 5 or more years in prison.

- Children born in Portugal would only be eligible for citizenship if their parents have held legal residence for at least 3 years.

- Family reunification will be permitted only via consular visa procedures, requiring family members to apply from abroad.

- No reunification rights with children under the new rules.

- Abolition of visa-free entry for citizens of CPLP countries (Portuguese-speaking nations), who would lose the right to apply for residence upon arrival.

Will the new law apply retroactively?

This remains unclear. While Portugal, like most EU countries, typically does not apply citizenship laws retroactively unless explicitly stated, the final wording of the transition clauses is still unknown. Whether the new 10-year rule will affect those who have already applied or have several years of residency completed will depend on parliamentary discussions.

What’s next?

The bill is expected to pass, as the ruling coalition holds a parliamentary majority, and no major opposition has yet been voiced. Once approved by Parliament and officially published, the law would likely take effect within a few months.

Why is Portugal changing its citizenship law?

These reforms reflect a broader European shift towards more restrictive naturalization pathways. Governments across Europe, including the UK, France, and Germany, are increasingly requiring longer residency, deeper integration, and “earned” citizenship, rather than offering rapid naturalization based on short stays or simple legal residence.

If passed, Portugal’s new citizenship law will dramatically change the path to naturalization, making it one of the strictest in Western Europe. Foreign residents, migrants, and investors eyeing Portugal for long-term settlement should carefully monitor the developments and seek legal advice to understand how these rules might affect their current or future applications.

Need help navigating Portugal’s new immigration laws or citizenship process? Our legal experts are here to guide you through the changes.

Reminder! In order to improve the efficiency of processing applications and solve the problem of delays in issuing Golden Visas, the Portuguese authorities have introduced certain changes. We have already told you how to get one of the most popular Golden Visas in Europe in 2025.

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