Updated: August 5, 2026

On 18 May 2026, Lei Orgânica n.º 1/2026 — the new Portuguese Nationality Law was published in Diário da República (n.º 95/2026, Série I), entering into force the following day, on 19 May 2026.

For non-EU nationals, the residence period for citizenship by naturalization was increased from 5 to 10 years. CPLP and EU citizens enjoy a shorter 7-year route.

Portuguese nationality applications filed on or before 18 May 2026 under the transitional rule (Artigo 7.º.2) are processed based on the old timeline, which is 5 years.

Goldcrest is a buyer’s agent in Portugal, and we compiled a detailed guideline of the latest changes to the Portuguese nationality law. Here’s all you need to know before you can become a Portuguese citizen.

Portuguese Nationality Law: Key Takeaways

  • Portugal’s new citizenship rules took effect on 19 May 2026, and it is one of the biggest change to the Nationality Law in the last 10 years.
  • For citizenship by naturalization, the residency requirement went from 5 years to 10 years for most foreigners (7 years for EU and CPLP citizens).
  • The clock begins from the day your first residency permit is issued.
  • If you filed your citizenship application before 18 May 2026, you can enjoy the old 5-year rule.
  • You can still obtain permanent residency after 5 years of legal residence – that rule stays the same.
  • The Golden Visa is still a popular pathway to citizenship by naturalization, mainly because the new law affects only the citizenship timeline.

What is the new Nationality Law in Portugal?

Portuguese Nationality Law Portugal’s citizenship requirements are set out in the Portuguese Nationality Law, which is managed by the Central Registry Office and is part of Portugal’s Civil Code.

The new Portuguese Nationality Law is Organic Law No. 1/2026 (Lei Orgânica n.º 1/2026), published on 18 May 2026 in the official gazette Diário da República, which entered into force on 19 May 2026.

There are different ways to obtain Portuguese citizenship. The main pathways are citizenship by descent, marriage, adoption, and naturalization. Each pathway has its own eligibility criteria and specific laws.

Portuguese citizenship by naturalization is the most popular option for non-EU citizens seeking long-term residence. It can help them qualify for Portuguese nationality. For that, you need legal residence first.

Under the new Nationality Law in Portugal, holders of the Portugal Golden Visa, Portugal D8 Visa, and Portugal D7 Visa can qualify for citizenship through naturalization after 10 years of legal residence (7 years for EU or CPLP citizens). Each option has its own application requirements and eligibility criteria.

Here’s a quick look at the differences between the old Nationality Law and the new one.

Feature

Old law

New law

Residency period

5 years

10 years (7 for EU/CPLP nationals)

Residency clock

Starts at the application date

Starts at card issuance

Integration test

A2 language test

A2 language test + civil or cultural exam

Criminal record

Less than 3-year sentence

Less than 2-year sentence (still discussed)

The Latest Changes to the Portuguese Nationality Law: Timeline

Portugal’s Nationality Law (Law No. 37/81) has been changed many times since its launch. The Portuguese Parliament suggested major amendments in 2018, 2020, 2023, 2024, and 2025.

Here is a quick timeline:

  • October 2025: Portugal’s Parliament approved the first version of the proposed amendments to the nationality law.
  • December 2025: Portugal’s Constitutional Court ruled that 4 out of the 7 challenged provisions were “unconstitutional”. However, it upheld other major reforms, which were the 10-year residency requirement and the rule that the qualifying residency period should start on the date the first residence permit is issued.
  • 1 April 2026: After making the required revisions, Parliament passed the amended legislation again with a two-thirds majority.
  • 3 May 2026: The President promulgated the law.
  • 18 May 2026: The law was published in Portugal’s official gazette – Diário da República as Lei Orgânica n.º 1/2026 (n.º 95/2026, Series I).
  • 19 May 2026: The new law entered into force.

Portugal’s New Citizenship Rules: 2026 Updates

GC-ICON-70 Extended naturalization period

The biggest change to the Portuguese nationality law is the increase in the minimum legal residence period required for citizenship by naturalization.

Previously, the majority of foreign nationals could apply for Portuguese nationality after 5 years of legal residence. Now, under the new law:

  • CPLP citizens and EU nationals require 7 years of legal residence
  • Non-EU citizens require 10 years of legal residence

GC-ICON-67 Stricter Integration and language rules

To meet one of the Portuguese citizenship requirements, you still need to demonstrate A2-level Portuguese if you are a citizen of a non-Portuguese-speaking country. That rule remains the same.

However, in addition to the A2-language proficiency, the 2026 Portuguese nationality law adds a civic-knowledge requirement. That means you need to pass a civic test that covers Portuguese history, culture, and other basic principles. The exact testing format is still being discussed.

GC-ICON-48 Stricter criminal record

The 2026 Portugal nationality law has introduced stricter criminal record rules. These rules affect foreign nationals who apply for citizenship by naturalization. But the exact thresholds are also still discussed.

Citizenship by birth

The new law introduced stricter requirements for children born in Portugal. To obtain Portuguese citizenship by birth, there are minimum periods of legal residence for the child’s parents. The child must also attend compulsory education.

End of the Sephardic Jewish ancestry route

The 2026 law closed the Sephardic citizenship program in Portugal. The Jewish Community of Lisbon (Comunidade Israelita de Lisboa – CIL) officially stopped accepting new applicants on 4 May 2026 onwards.

Who is affected by the new changes to Portugal's Nationality Law?

1. Non-EU residents who do not qualify for citizenship yet

  • You will be affected the most by the new rules.
  • You used to expect citizenship eligibility after 5 years of legal residence.
  • You will now need to live in Portugal for 10 years before applying.
  • You may need to rethink your long-term plans in Portugal.
  • You are especially affected if you are: A retiree on a D7 Visa, an investor using the Golden Visa program, an entrepreneur on the D2 Visa, or a remote worker living in Portugal on the D8 (Digital Nomad Visa).

2. EU or CPLP citizens who have yet to apply for citizenship

  • You are also affected by the changes, but less severely.
  • You previously needed 5 years of residency to apply for citizenship.
  • You will now need 7 years of legal residence instead.
  • You still have a shorter path than non-EU citizens.
  • You will no longer have access to the previous faster-track timeline.

3. Expats who’ve already submitted their citizenship application

  • You may still qualify under the old rules.
  • You will not automatically be forced to follow the new, longer residency requirements.
  • The Constitutional Court ruled that pending applications cannot simply be switched to the new system.
  • You should receive transitional protections while your case is being processed.
  • You will only face the new rules if you apply after the updated law officially takes effect.

4. Children born in Portugal

  • Parents should pay attention to the new citizenship rules for children.
  • Your child will only automatically receive Portuguese citizenship at birth if residency conditions are met beforehand.
  • If you are from a CPLP country, you must have lived legally in Portugal for at least 3 years before your child is born.
  • If you are from another country, you must have lived legally in Portugal for at least 4 years before the birth of your child.

Is the new Portugal nationality law already in effect?

Portuguese Nationality Law Changes Yes, the amendments to the Portuguese Nationality Law were officially published on 18 May 2026 and entered into force the next day on 19 May 2026.

Since then, Portugal has officially doubled the citizenship wait from 5 to 10 years for most foreign nationals, which is 7 years for CPLP and EU citizens.

On another note, the Portuguese immigration authorities have also implemented changes. To address backlogs, the AIMA (Agency for Integration, Migration, and Asylum) launched a new digital system in January 2026. This was designed to clear the backlog and finally provide transparency on residency timelines, making it easier for applicants to prove their “legal stay” duration.

How does it affect Golden Visa holders?

Portugal Golden Visa Nationality Law Change For Portugal Golden Visa holders, the new Nationality Law can create moderate changes. While obtaining a passport takes longer, the path to residency and the ability to live in the EU stays the same at the five-year mark.

To qualify for citizenship, the approved reform extends the required period of citizenship from 5 to 10 years (or 7 years for citizens of CPLP countries). The “residency clock” for future applicants starts after you receive the actual residence card.

While there is no way to get Portugal citizenship by investment, the Golden Visa allows investors to secure residency by investment.

GC-ICON-12 Previous changes to the Portugal Golden Visa

Previous changes to the Portugal Golden Visa reached a turning point in September 2023. Although the program is not ending, the investment options have changed to focus on economic growth rather than the housing market.

You can read more about this residency by investment program in our article: Is the Portugal Golden Visa Program Suspended?

What is no longer available?

The most notable of the previous changes to the Golden Visa is the total removal of the real estate route.

For example:

What are the current top options?

As the real estate doors closed, two pathways have become the new standard:

  1. Investment funds: The Portugal Golden Visa Investment Fund option is now the most popular choice, requiring a €500,000 investment in non-real estate funds.
  2. Cultural production: The Cultural Production Visa Portugal (starting at €250,000) is increasingly popular for those looking for a lower entry point while supporting Portuguese heritage.

Obtaining a Golden Visa through job creation or scientific research is also a popular option. The path to citizenship after maintaining legal residency is strict. To apply, you must have a clean criminal record and hold an A2-level Portuguese certificate. This certificate is received after you pass the Portugal Golden Visa language test.

Read our Portugal real estate ultimate guide by local experts

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Does it affect pending citizenship applications?

It depends on when you filed your citizenship application.

If you filed your citizenship application with the IRN (Instituto dos Registos e do Notariado) on or before 18 May 2026, you will be processed under the old 5-year residency rule. Your case won’t be affected by the new law.

If you filed your application after 19 May 2026 and onward, the new rules apply to you. This also applies if you already obtained a 5-year legal residence and haven’t filed your citizenship application yet.

Does it affect the timeline for permanent residency in Portugal?

No, the 2026 changes to the Portuguese Nationality Law do not affect the timeline for permanent residency. That stays the same because a Portuguese citizenship is separate from permanent residence.

You can still obtain permanent residency in Portugal after 5 years of legal residence, provided that you meet the eligibility criteria.

EU citizens don’t need a visa to become legal residents. They only need to register for a CRUE (Certificado de Registo de Cidadão da União Europeia) after three months of living in Portugal. After 5 years of legal residence, they can apply for permanent residence status.

Non-EU citizens need 5 years of legal residence under a specific Portugal residency visa, such as the Portugal Golden Visa, Portugal D2 Visa, or the Portugal Retirement Visa (D7), to name a few.

Important Strategy for Families

family reunification with Portuguese Nationality Law The rules for obtaining Portuguese citizenship for children born in Portugal are also tightening.

Under the new law, a child born in Portugal would only receive citizenship at birth if at least one parent has resided in the country for 5 years before the child’s birth. Currently, a child becomes a citizen if a parent has lived in Portugal for 1 year.

Families should coordinate their residency applications to ensure everyone hits the “application date” clock simultaneously. Families can also move to Portugal if they have a family member already living in the country, under the Portugal D6 Visa for Family reunification.

Goldcrest: How We Can Help You 

Goldcrest is the first buyer’s agent in Portugal. We provide expert, impartial advice on real estate investments and how to buy property in Portugal. From scouting out the perfect property through to property acquisition, we have you covered throughout the process. 

Unlike traditional real estate agents in Portugal who represent the seller, we are dedicated exclusively to protecting the buyer’s interests. 

If you are looking to purchase property in Portugal, don’t hesitate to get in touch. Our team of skilled experts is available to solve all your real estate doubts, helping you with the property search and offering insightful expertise and strategic advice. 

Why choose Goldcrest?

  • Local knowledge: With offices located across Portugal, our presence nationwide allows us to assist you personally across the country.
  • Independent service: As an independent buying agent, we do not represent any development or project. Our service is entirely tailored toward each individual client, providing you with everything you need to secure the perfect property at the best possible price.
  • Streamlined process: Our real estate agents speak English and Portuguese, and our service is completely focused on providing you with a hassle-free buying experience, saving you time. We can also help you buy property remotely.
  • Experienced team: Our expert real estate team has a vast local knowledge of the Portuguese property market. We have cutting-edge technology and metasearch tools at your disposal to provide full market coverage, ensuring the best investment choices and negotiated prices.
  • Network of partners: We have a close network of partners, including lawyers, property management services, builders, architects, designers, and landscape gardeners, again saving you time and hassle by providing you with trusted experts in their field of work.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Portuguese Nationality Law Changes

The Portuguese Nationality Law has new rules for the naturalization residency requirement, which is now 10 years for most foreign nationals and 7 years for CPLP and EU citizens. The Sephardic descent route is closed; there are stricter birthright citizenship, language, integration, and criminal record requirements.

Under the 2026 Portuguese Nationality Law, the residency clock starts on the date your residence permit is issued. The time you spend waiting for appointments, processing visa applications, or holding a temporary entry visa does not count toward your residency clock.

The new Portugal Nationality Law doesn’t change the basic requirements for nationality by marriage, or recognized de facto unions. But it introduces tighter requirements, such as stricter background checks and effective ties to the Portuguese community.

The approved amendments extend the residency period for Portuguese citizenship for foreign nationals. For all applicants via naturalization, the requirement for legal residency is set to increase from 5 years to 10 years. For EU citizens and CPLP nationals, this would change from 5 to 7 years.

To a certain extent. Nationality in Portugal based on Portuguese descent has its own legal framework. But the reform did include stricter requirements for the Portuguese community and, in some cases, integration-related concepts.

Yes. US citizens can obtain Portuguese nationality through several pathways, such as naturalization, marriage, and descent. For American nationals, the new Portuguese nationality law increased the 10 years of legal residence for the naturalization pathway.

Yes, UK citizens can obtain Portuguese nationality in different ways, mainly naturalization, descent, and marriage. Since British nationals are no longer part of the European Union, applying for naturalization takes 10 years of legal residence.

Yes, you can have dual citizenship in Portugal with no restrictions. You can have both Portuguese and foreign citizenship, provided your country of origin also allows dual citizenship.

There are several benefits to obtaining Portuguese nationality. This includes acquiring the right to live, work, and study in any EU country, visa-free travel within the Schengen Area, and greater financial and mobility freedoms.

The Portuguese nationality processing time is different based on the route you choose. The baseline processing times for Portuguese citizenship are 3 to 4 years for most routes, while citizenship by descent from Portuguese parents can take roughly 2 to 3 years.