Portuguese Citizenship: 10 Years Before Naturalization? President Signs Amendments

On May 3, 2026, the President of Portugal signed amendments to the Citizenship Law. They will enter into force as soon as they are published in the official gazette, which is expected in May 2026, although the exact date has not yet been announced.

What does this mean? For most foreign nationals from non-EU countries, including Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus, the naturalization period — that is, the time required to obtain citizenship through residence — will increase from 5 to 10 years. For citizens of EU countries and Portuguese-speaking countries such as Brazil, the required period will rise from 5 to 7 years.

However, this does not mean that everything is changing dramatically right now. We are not making any rushed decisions and are taking this information calmly.

The situation may still develop in a way similar to last year. A response from political parties and the public is expected.

For this reason, we are monitoring the situation closely and will definitely keep you informed.

The NATLAN will continue to monitor amendments to Portuguese legislation and will promptly inform you of any new developments. If you have any questions or require an individual assessment of your situation, you may schedule a consultation with our company.