After several months of discussions in Parliament, Portugal’s new Citizenship Law was approved on October 28, 2025 and sent to the President for consideration. In mid-November, the Socialist Party (PS) moved to bypass a requested review by the Constitutional Court, deepening the legislative process.
April 1, 2026 Update: The revised Nationality Law passed Parliament with a two-thirds majority.
At this stage, the law is with the President, who has the options to sign it, veto it, or submit it again to the Constitutional Court for further review. This means the law is not yet in effect, and the process remains active.
If the proposed changes are eventually enacted, one major adjustment will be an increase in the residency requirement for citizenship—from five years to ten years, while citizens of CPLP countries and EU nationals would qualify after seven years. Additional requirements are also expected under the reform.
Although these changes could significantly impact Portugal’s citizenship system, it’s important to note that they are still pending approval.
What Has Been Approved So Far?
The proposed law introduces several important updates to Portugal’s naturalization process:
1. Residency Requirements for Citizenship
- Most applicants would need 10 years of legal residence in Portugal.
- Citizens from CPLP countries (Portuguese-speaking nations) and EU nationals could qualify after 7 years.
- Importantly, the residency period maywill now be calculated from the issuance date of the first residence card, rather than from the initial application date.
2. Updated Eligibility Criteria
In addition to the existing requirements, the law proposes new criteria:
- Portuguese language proficiency at the A2 level (unchanged).
- Completion of a civic knowledge test, covering Portuguese culture, history, rights, and duties.
- A formal declaration affirming adherence to democratic principles.
- Clean criminal record, with the required period reduced from three years to two years.
- Proof of sufficient means of subsistence to support oneself.
- Confirmation of no sanctions imposed by the UN or EU.
3. Additional Changes
- The Sephardic Jewish ancestry pathway for citizenship would be terminated.
- A new provision allows for the loss of Portuguese nationality in cases of serious criminal convictions.
These updates, if eventually enacted, represent a major shift in the naturalization process and may have implications for current and future Golden Visa holders.
December 15, 2025 – Constitutional Court Assessment
During its preventive review, the Constitutional Court identified several provisions in the proposed law as unconstitutional:
- Automatic exclusion from nationality for individuals with criminal convictions above a set threshold.
- Vaguely defined terms such as “manifest fraud,” which could impact the granting of citizenship.
- Provisions allowing nationality cancellation based on unclear concepts like “rejection of the national community.”
- A rule requiring that pending citizenship applications be evaluated according to requirements at the time of the decision rather than at the time of submission.
- The separate decree introducing loss of nationality as an accessory criminal penalty was also struck down.
These findings highlight the Court’s emphasis on clarity, fairness, and legal precision in Portugal’s citizenship framework. While the law continues through the legislative process, these points will need to be addressed before it can take effect.
April 1, 2026: What Really Happened?
Following the Constitutional Court’s review on December 15, 2025, the proposed citizenship law returned to Parliament for revision.
On April 1, 2026, the revised Nationality Law was approved with a two-thirds parliamentary majority.
Key elements of the revised law include:
- Residency requirements remain extended: 7 years for EU and CPLP nationals and 10 years for all other applicants.
- Criminal conviction threshold adjusted: Applicants with sentences of three years or more are ineligible for Portuguese citizenship.
- Grandfathering provisions: The law does not specify any grandfathering for current residents or applicants under previous rules.
The revised law has now been sent to the President of Portugal, who may sign it into law, veto it, or refer it back to the Constitutional Court for further review. This means the law is not yet in effect, and the final outcome will depend on the President’s decision and any additional legal review.
Is the Portuguese Citizenship Law Already in Effect?
No, the revised citizenship law is not yet in effect.
After being approved by Parliament on April 1, 2026, the law was forwarded to the President of Portugal for review.
What happens next:
- The President may sign the law, veto it, or refer it to the Constitutional Court for further review.
- Until these steps are completed and the law is officially enacted, all current naturalization rules remain unchanged, and the existing timelines for citizenship applications continue to apply.
This means that for Golden Visa holders and other applicants, there is no immediate impact, but it is important to stay informed about any future developments.
What the Revised Citizenship Law Means for Golden Visa Holders
For Golden Visa holders, the proposed changes have no impact on residency rights. The government has not suggested any modifications to the residency provisions of the Golden Visa program.
This reform strictly concerns the pathway to Portuguese citizenship, not the ability to live, work, or travel in Portugal.
- Residency remains fully intact: Golden Visa holders can continue to renew their permits, travel freely within the EU, and reunite with family as before.
- The preventive review requested by the Constitutional Court means that the proposed changes to the citizenship timeline and qualifying period are not currently in effect.
- If the law is eventually enacted as approved by the Parliament, the citizenship application process for Golden Visa holders would follow the new residency timelines, calculated from the issuance date of the first residence card rather than the application date.
In short, the Golden Visa program itself is unchanged.
Already Applied for Portuguese Citizenship? Here’s What You Need to Know
For those who have already submitted a complete citizenship application, the process is expected to continue under the current rules. This means the existing five-year residency requirement still applies.
If the revised law is eventually enacted, only applications submitted after that date would be subject to the new residency timelines—7 years for EU and CPLP nationals, and 10 years for all others.
In practical terms:
- Applications already in progress will continue under the current five-year framework.
- Future applications will follow the new extended residency periods if the law is approved and comes into effect.
- The lack of a formal grandfathering clause has raised constitutional questions, which may be addressed during the Constitutional Court’s preventive review.
This ensures that current applicants are not affected immediately, while highlighting the potential implications for future applicants under the new law.
Next Steps: What to Expect in Portugal’s Citizenship Law Process
The proposed amendments to Portugal’s nationality law are now back in the political process, and several outcomes are possible:
- Parliament may revise or remove the provisions deemed unconstitutional.
- A re-vote could take place on a revised version of the law.
- The law could undergo Presidential review and promulgation before taking effect.
The Constitutional Court’s decision is detailed and technical, and the practical effects—especially regarding residency period calculations and transitional rules for residents who haven’t yet applied for citizenship—will depend on Parliament’s next steps.
For now, the current legal framework remains in effect, meaning there are no immediate changes to naturalization timelines or Golden Visa rights. However, this is not a final resolution. The political process is ongoing, and revised legislation is expected.
Further updates are anticipated in the coming weeks, and applicants should stay informed to understand how the changes may impact their path to citizenship.
Key Takeaways and Guidance for Applicants
The proposed reform marks a major shift in Portugal’s naturalization framework, bringing it closer to European standards. At the same time, it introduces uncertainty for residents and investors who planned their lives based on the previous rules.
At The Golden Portugal, we continue to focus on:
- Delivering clear, factual updates as the process evolves.
- Helping clients navigate Permanent Residency and Citizenship strategies.
This article reflects the situation as of April 1, 2026, based on:
- Official statements from the Portuguese Parliament.
- Legal summaries and expert analyses.
- The text of the approved draft law.
We will provide updates as soon as the President’s decision and related regulation details are published.
For personalized guidance on how these developments may affect your case, we recommend consulting your immigration lawyer or our advisory team.
