Portugal has announced plans to tighten its citizenship rules. While citizens from Portuguese-speaking countries like Brazil will have to wait seven years, those from other countries will have to wait a decade to be able to apply for citizenship. On Monday, the goverrnment said it plans to now double the minimum residency requirement to obtain citizenship.
On Monday, Cabinet Minister António Leitão Amaro said: “We are significantly strengthening the requirements for access to citizenship, naturalisation, in line with the guidelines we were already included in the government’s programme.” Beyond residency length, applicants would also have to demonstrate proficiency in the Portuguese language, show knowledge of Portuguese culture, and uphold the country’s democratic principles.
Those with serious criminal convictions or security concerns will be excluded from eligibility.
Family reunification rules are also tightening. Immigrants must now have lived in Portugal legally for at least two years to bring minor relatives to join them.
The government has just introduced this draft law and the proposed rules must go through various stages before becoming law.
With presidential elections scheduled for January 2026, the timeline may be influenced by political developments.
The announcement comes amid a shifting political climate, with the far right Chega party known for its tough stance on immigration gaining prominence as the main opposition force.
Chega supports the new measures and is likely to back the government’s push for more restrictive citizenship laws.
These changes mark a major shift in Portugal’s immigration policy and could have major implications for thousands of British expats and other foreigners hoping to secure Portuguese citizenship in the coming years.
