Gizane Campos
The Portuguese Council of Ministers has announced significant proposed reforms to its immigration and nationality policies, which could extend the residency requirement for citizenship from five years to 10 years for most applicants.
While the government has yet to publish the draft proposal, this move signals a shift toward a model described as “regulated and humanist immigration,” which aligns more closely with broader European Union standards.
It is important to note that these policy updates have not yet been enacted into law. Current rights and ongoing applications remain unaffected, supported by constitutional protections that prevent retroactive application of laws.
Proposed Changes
The government’s proposals indicate notable adjustments in both citizenship and immigration processes, which will affect Portugal Golden Visa and Portugal D7 Visa holders, among others:
- Extended minimum residency periods from five years to 10 years for Portuguese citizenship eligibility for most applicants
- Increasing the time to citizenship for CPLP countries from five years to seven years.
- The period begins from the date the first residence permit is issued, not from the date of application.
The proposal also outlines new requirements when applying for Portuguese citizenship. Currently, applicants only have to demonstrate a proficiency in the Portuguese language, but it is proposed that it should include:
- A2-level Portuguese language proficiency
- Portuguese civic knowledge test on the culture, history, and rights of Portugal
- No criminal record for crimes that resulted in imprisonment
In addition to these proposals, the draft law also includes other recommendations regarding the Portuguese Nationality Law.
- Stricter entry controls are linked to the country’s integration capacity.
- Job-seeker visas are restricted to highly qualified candidates.
- Mandatory Portuguese language proficiency for certain residence permit renewals.
- Creation of streamlined institutional structures, including new border management units.
Not Yet Signed Into Law
As mentioned, the draft proposal is only a set of recommendations, and there are a few more steps in the process before it becomes law. Implementing these reforms will require:
- Debates in Parliament
- Potential amendments
- Support from coalition parties since the government’s current lack of an absolute majority.
- Approval by the Portuguese Parliament.
- Development of necessary regulatory and administrative frameworks.
The timeline for these reforms is expected to be gradual, providing ample notice before any changes take effect.
“While the government has expressed its intention to move forward with reforms, these proposals have not yet been approved by Parliament and are not in effect. And even if these proposals do pass, it’s important to understand that Portuguese law includes strong constitutional protections especially for individuals who have acted in good faith under the law as it stood,” explains Patrícia Casaburi, CEO of Global Citizen Solutions.
Operational Improvements by AIMA
Alongside these policy proposals, the Agency for Integration, Migration, and Asylum (AIMA) has introduced several operational enhancements:
- From January 2026: Launch a new digital platform designed to improve transparency and communication for applicants and legal representatives.
- Since June 2025: Online renewal processes without needing in-person appointments if biometric data remains valid.
The Portuguese government has also prioritized applications for the Golden Residence Permit and family reunifications, anticipating faster processing times in these categories in the latter half of 2025.
These reforms aim to bring Portugal’s immigration policies into closer alignment with broader European Union expectations, emphasizing integration, language proficiency, and legal residency.
How it Affects Current Residency Holders
A huge concern for current temporary and permanent residency permit holders is how it will affect their timeline to citizenship, especially if they are close to the current five-year waiting period. According to the government’s announcement:
- The revised citizenship regulations will not affect naturalization applications submitted before June 19, 2025.
- Applications submitted after 19 June, or incomplete submissions could be subject to the new regulations once they are officially enacted.
It’s important to note that the draft law doesn’t make any mention of changing the time required for permanent residency, as that will remain at five years.
“Even if these laws are ratified, we expect a strong legal and institutional response to protect the rights of those who have already begun the process or are residing in Portugal. We remain confident that a fair and lawful outcome will be upheld. People who are going through the application process for residency or citizenship, or are planning to lodge their applications, should act without delay where eligibility is already established and continue your application processes under the current legal structure,” Casaburi concludes.
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