On the morning of 24 October 2025, proposed amendments to the Portuguese Citizenship Law were debated in Parliament following four months of intense discussions and several postponements.
The proposed changes, which significantly tighten the requirements for obtaining Portuguese citizenship, did not garner broad political support, with concerns raised by legal experts and institutions regarding key aspects of the Government’s proposal.
The legislative process remains ongoing. The final version of the amendments is scheduled for confirmation during the Parliament’s plenary session on Tuesday, 28 October 2025. Following this final vote, the President of the Republic may request a constitutional review by the Constitutional Court before promulgating the law.

I. Major Reforms Proposed
The proposed amendments introduce significant changes for individuals seeking Portuguese citizenship.
The main updates under consideration include:

1. Extended legal residency period: The proposed legislation significantly extends the minimum period of legal residency required for naturalization, raising it from 5 to 10 years. However, in recognition of cultural and regional ties, citizens of Portuguese-speaking nations and European Union Member States would be eligible for a shorter residency requirement of 7 years, fostering a balanced approach to integration.
2. New eligibility criteria: Applicants would need to demonstrate knowledge of Portuguese culture, understand the civic duties associated with Portuguese nationality, pose no security threat, not be subject to UN or EU sanctions, and prove financial self-sufficiency.
3. Residency period calculation: The proposed amendments revise the calculation of the minimum legal residency period for naturalization, stipulating that it will commence from the issuance date of the initial residence card. This marks a shift from the current practice, effective since 1 April 2024, which allowed the period to begin upon submission of the residence permit application, a measure previously adopted to mitigate extended processing delays.
4. Termination of the Sephardic Jewish citizenship regime: This regime would be revoked, closing the pathway for new applicants.
5. Stricter access to nationality by birth: Children born in Portugal would only be eligible for citizenship if at least one parent has legally resided in the country for a minimum of 5 years at the time of the child’s birth. This introduces a stricter requirement compared to the current law, which allows eligibility if one parent has legally resided in Portugal for at least 1 year or, alternatively, has resided in the country for at least 1 year regardless of legal status. The proposed amendment eliminates the provision for residency without legal status, mandating that parents must have legal residency in Portugal, and now, for a minimum of 5 years.

II. Safeguards Measure for a Just Transition
During the consultation process, the need for transitional provisions or grandfathering clauses to protect applicants close to submitting their applications was a key point of discussion.
The proposed final version includes limited safeguards but does not fully protect such applicants:

1. Non-retroactive Application: The proposed amendments will not apply retroactively, taking effect solely for new applications submitted after the law’s entry into force, on the day following its publication in Portugal’s Official Gazette. All applications pending at that time will continue to be evaluated under the existing legal framework, ensuring continuity for current processes.
2. Absence of Transitional Protections: Individuals who already hold residence cards or have submitted residence permit applications will not benefit from grandfathering provisions. They will be subject to the stringent new criteria, marking a definitive shift in eligibility requirements for future applicants.

This legal notice provides general information regarding the proposed amendments to the Portuguese Nationality Law debated in Parliament on October 24, 2025, with the final version scheduled for confirmation on October 28, 2025. It is not intended to serve as a basis for specific decisions without professional legal counsel.

For detailed guidance on the implications of these amendments, please contact the Immigration Department of Ana Bruno & Associados. You may reach out to Partner Filipe Eusébio (filipe.eusebio@anabruno.pt), Associate Lawyer Maria Teresa Roldão (mariateresa.roldao@anabruno.pt), or Trainee Lawyer Catarina Bárbara (catarina.barbara@anabruno.pt) for further assistance.