The effects on the Portuguese Immigration Legal Framework and Panorama following the initiatives presented by the Ministers’ Cabinet

This Monday, June 23rd, 2025, the Ministers’ Cabinet approved a set of legislative proposals introducing substantial changes to the immigration legal framework which is targeted at correcting and solving the serious and major issues currently being faced in the legal framework concerning the entrance into Portuguese National Territory, AIMA’s operational incapacity and to ensure the efficiency and functionality of all border control systems, as well as the correct and just integration of immigrants.

The proposed amendments affect both the Citizenship Law and the Immigration and Foreigners Law and may mark a significant tightening of eligibility criteria for naturalization, potentially making it more demanding to obtain Portuguese citizenship and creating limitations for the establishment of residence in Portugal. It is evident in this proposal that the main objective of this newly elected Government is to show that Portugal’s doors are not ‘wide open’ anymore and, consequently, that other principles like national security are at the top of the Government’s agenda.

In view of the context provided above, the Government approved and presented a set of proposals, duly summarized and capped by their importance and impact, are as follows:

 

Amendments to the Portuguese Citizenship Law:

1. Amendment of the time requirement for legal residence

Under the current Portuguese Citizenship Law, the minimum period of legal residence required before applying for citizenship is five years. This duration applies uniformly to all applicants regardless of their country of origin. However, the recent proposal approved by the Ministers’ Cabinet intends to significantly change this requirement by extending the minimum residency period. According to the proposal, nationals from Portuguese speaking countries must now reside legally in Portugal for at least seven years before they can apply for citizenship.

For nationals from all other countries, the intention is to extend even further this period to ten years. This adjustment aims, according to the Government, to strengthen the connection between applicants and the Portuguese community by ensuring a longer and more substantial period of integration before citizenship is granted.

2. Integration Examination:

It is proposed that applicants may be required to demonstrate proficiency in the Portuguese language and knowledge of Portuguese civic culture, including democratic principles, rights, and duties.

As part of the revised citizenship requirements, the intention is that applicants may be compelled to successfully pass an integration examination. This examination is designed to assess the applicants’ proficiency in the Portuguese language, ensuring they possess the necessary communication skills to fully participate in the Portuguese society. In addition to language proficiency, the examination shall evaluate the applicant’s knowledge of Portuguese civic culture, including a comprehensive understanding of the country’s democratic principles, as well as the rights and duties of citizens.

This proposal aims to promote deeper integration by confirming that new citizens are not only linguistically capable but also well-versed in the social and political values that underpin the Portuguese state. By emphasizing both language skills and civic knowledge, the government seeks to foster a more cohesive national community and ensure that naturalized citizens are prepared to contribute actively and responsibly to the democratic life of the country.

3. Children Born in Portugal:

It is intended that automatic nationality for children born in Portuguese territory with foreign parents is no longer granted. It shall be, according to the proposal, conditional upon at least 3 years of legal residence of one parents in Portugal at the time of birth and through an express application.

4. Abolition of Sephardic Descent Clause:

It is proposed that the specific pathway to nationality for descendants of Sephardic Jews is repealed.

5. Loss of Citizenship:

There’s the intention to allow for the revocation of those who accessed citizenship through naturalization in cases involving serious criminal convictions.

 

Amendments to Immigration Law:

1. New Enforcement Body:

The Government shall create a National Unit for Foreigners and Borders (UNEF) within the Public Security Police (PSP). This new unit shall be responsible for handling immigration enforcement tasks that were previously managed by the SEF (Foreigners and Borders Service), which has meanwhile been dissolved. Essentially, UNEF shall take over all immigration control and border security duties, and maintain public safety and regulate the entry and stay of foreigners in the country.

2. Family Reunification:

The Government has announced plans to restrict the general conditions for granting family reunification. Among the proposed changes, sponsors would need to have lived legally in the country for at least two years before a family member can apply for the reunification. Reunification within the national territory shall be limited to minor children, and all applicants must prove they have adequate housing and sufficient financial resources.

In addition, both sponsors and family members shall be required to take part in integration measures, such as learning Portuguese and understanding the country’s constitutional values.

It is important to highlight that these proposed changes aim to modify the general framework for family reunification. However, the current law may still offer alternative legal solutions, depending on the specific circumstances of each family. Individuals affected by these changes are encouraged to seek legal advice to explore all available options under the existing legal framework.

3. Job-Seeker Visa:

The job-seeker visa shall now limited to highly qualified activities, as defined by a government ordinance.

 

Legislative Objectives:

• Strengthen the effective connection between applicants and Portugal;
• Prevent misuse of the nationality process;
• Promote a model of “regulated and humane immigration,” as stated by the Government;
• Respond to growing public and parliamentary pressure for stricter immigration oversight.

 

Renewals of Residence Permits Valid Until 30 June

The government has announced a new extension of the validity of visa/residence permits, now generally valid until 15 October 2025. This applies to most residence permits while the renewal process is being restructured.

However, it is important to note that under the current legislation (still in force), residence permits held by citizens who already have a scheduled appointment for renewal, or who have already attended their appointment and submitted their renewal request, remain valid until the end of 2025 (31 December 2025).

From 1 July 2025, AIMA will begin processing renewal applications, which can be submitted either in person or through a new digital platform to be launched soon. Upon submission, applicants will receive a renewal certificate confirming their legal status in the country. This certificate will be valid for 6 months, while the new residence permit is being issued.

AIMA will use its existing mission structure and operational capacity to handle the processing efficiently.

 

Conclusion

In light of the above and taking into account the separation of powers and the competence of the existing legislative body in Portugal, these measures still need to be approved by the Portuguese Parliament, ratified by the President of the Republic and duly regulated. A full legislative process will now begin and despite the general information circulating online that assume these proposals are already approved and in force, such is not the case on this date.

The information contained in this legal notice is of general interest and should not be used to make any specific decision without proper legal advice. Should you wish to obtain further guidance on the amendments implemented by the Law-Proposal aforementioned with regards to the Residence Permit for Investment Activities regime, please contact the Immigration Department of the Ana Bruno & Associados team and, in particular, the Partner, Filipe Eusébio (filipe.eusebio@anabruno.pt), the Associate Lawyer, Maria Teresa Roldão (mariateresa.roldao@anabruno.pt), as well as Catarina Bárbara, Trainee Lawyer (catarina.barbara@anabruno.pt).