Portugal Proposes New Rules for Citizenship and Residency

• Posted on Jun 24, 2025
• In Industry News, Portugal

Proposed Law Introduces Stricter Integration Tests, Revised Timelines, and Family Reunification Changes

On June 23, 2025, Portugal’s Council of Ministers presented a legislative proposal that would significantly change the rules for acquiring citizenship and renewing residency. The draft law includes longer minimum stay requirements, new cultural and language tests, and tighter conditions for family reunification. The proposed changes are currently under review and remain subject to the legislative process, and final approval.

Proposed Updates to Citizenship Regulations

The proposed law outlines revised conditions for naturalization, with a focus on the duration of residency, civic integration, and administrative transparency.

• Extended residency requirements: Naturalization would require 10 years of legal residence for most applicants, and 7 years for nationals from Portuguese-speaking countries (CPLP).
• New reference date: The residency period would begin from the issuance of the residence card, rather than the date of application.
• Integration measures: Applicants would need to demonstrate knowledge of the Portuguese language, culture, political system, and democratic values, and formally declare commitment to the principles of the Portuguese Republic.
• Birthright provisions: Children born in Portugal may be granted citizenship if one parent has held legal residence for at least three years and expresses intent for the child to acquire Portuguese nationality.
• Loss of nationality: In limited cases, naturalized citizens who hold dual nationality may face revocation of citizenship following serious criminal convictions, subject to judicial review.

Residence Permit Renewals and Transitional Measures

In response to the large number of permits automatically extended during the pandemic, the government has introduced a plan to regularize these cases:

• Temporary validity extension: Approximately 280,000 residence permits that were automatically extended during the pandemic will remain valid until October 15, 2025.
• Resumption of renewals: Applications for renewal will reopen on July 1, 2025, with a digital platform expected to support the process.
• Simplified renewals: In cases where biometric data is already recorded and verified, renewals may be completed without the need for new data collection.
• Proof of status: Upon submission, applicants will receive official confirmation of legal residence valid for six months during the processing period.

Legislative Process and Timeline

These measures are part of a draft proposal and have not yet been enacted into law. The legislative process will include:

• Parliamentary debate, voting, and consensus-building;
• Legal refinement through specialty discussions;
• Presidential review and approval;
• Official publication into law.

Upcoming presidential elections in January 2026 may influence the legislative timeline, particularly if parliamentary discussions extend into the election period.

The proposed changes could have implications for both existing applicants and current holders of valid residence permits, who are encouraged to stay informed as the legislative process progresses.

Arton Capital will continue to monitor these developments closely and provide timely updates. Our team remains available to assist clients in understanding how these changes may impact their individual circumstances or future planning.