Authorities intend to counter widespread petitions for citizenship
In a shift that's got everyone talking, the 25th Portuguese Constitutional Government hasredefined the country's nationality regime, focussing mainly on residence requirements for naturalization. Here's what's changed:
- For most foreigners, the legal residence period to apply for Portuguese nationality has been bumped up from 5 years to a solid 10 years.
- Good news for residents of Portuguese-speaking countries (CPLP, like Brazil, Angola, Mozambique, etc.): they only need to put in a 7-year stint, as compared to 10 years for others.
- The countdown starts from the moment you receive your first residence permit.
These new regulations toughen the naturalization process substantially - in line with the government's efforts to fortify immigration rules while keeping CPLP citizens in the loop, thanks to cultural and linguistic ties, of course.[2][3][4]
Rule changes also demand applicants to prove their knowledge of Portuguese language, culture, and civic duties via official tests. Kids born to foreign nationals can now become Portuguese citizens provided one parent has been legally resident for at least 3 years – with formal applications obligatory.[4]
Unfortunately, the nationality route via Sephardic Jewish descent is no longer available to new applicants. Plus, ancestry-based nationality acquisition is limited to the third generation, and requires solid proof of connections to Portugal.[4]
So, the Government Programme significantly extends residence requirements, effectively doubling it from 5 to 10 years for most foreigners, yet shows leniency towards CPLP citizens with a more accommodating 7-year requirement.[4][3][2]
The new policy-and-legislation changes in Portugal's nationality regime, as part of the 25th Portuguese Constitutional Government's efforts, have extended the residence period for most foreigners seeking Portuguese nationality from 5 to 10 years. In the realm of politics, this policy shift demonstrates a focus on fortifying immigration rules, but offers leniency towards residents of Portuguese-speaking countries (CPLP), requiring them to reside for only 7 years.
