On June 25, 2025, the Portuguese Government presented proposed amendments to the Immigration Law and the Nationality Law. The main changes concern the process of acquiring citizenship based on legal residence (naturalization) and include the following:
1. Duration of Residence for Citizenship:
It is proposed to increase the minimum period of legal residence from 5 to 7 years for citizens of Portuguese-speaking countries and to 10 years for all others.
2. New starting point for calculating this period:
It is proposed to calculate the period of residence not from the date of application, but from the date of issue of the first residence permit.
3. Additional Requirements:
In addition to knowledge of the Portuguese language, applicants are also proposed to demonstrate:
– knowledge of Portuguese culture,
– knowledge of the fundamental rights and obligations inherent in Portuguese citizenship,
– knowledge of the political structure of the Portuguese state,
– and to sign a declaration of commitment to the fundamental principles of a democratic state governed by the rule of law.
4. Tightening the criminal record requirements:
It is proposed to deny citizenship to individuals convicted by a final court decision to a term of imprisonment for crimes punishable under Portuguese law.
5. Application of the new rules:
The new rules will apply to all citizenship applications submitted after June 19, 2025.
Attached is a more detailed summary of the proposed amendments, information on the legislative process, and a short "Questions and Answers" section.
Natlan, like the entire legal community, expresses serious concern about a number of proposals that may violate legal and constitutional standards.
It is important to emphasize that these are currently only proposals and have no legal force. The amendments still require parliamentary hearings and a vote (which have not yet been scheduled). The current government does not have a majority in Parliament, meaning that a broad consensus of at least two-thirds will be required to adopt the new version. Political discussions are currently underway, and the final text of the law may change significantly.
At the same time, we want to assure you that we are closely monitoring the situation and will consider all available legal measures to protect your rights and interests should they be affected.
It is also important to note that the current proposals do not mention the Golden Visa (GV) program. The government's promised improvements to this program have not yet been specified. For now, the Golden Visa program remains in effect under existing legislation.
As a reminder, the Golden Visa continues to provide the opportunity to obtain permanent residency after five years, without the need to relocate or maintain an investment. The Golden Permanent Residency program requires no continued investment, physical residence in the country, or tax obligations. It remains a reliable legal pathway for long-term residence in Portugal and citizenship—should you wish to pursue it.
We will keep you informed of any significant changes and are already working to ensure that the final draft law includes transitional provisions to ensure the protection of applicants with ongoing or approved residence permit processes.
If you're planning to obtain a residence permit, invest in a country's economy, or purchase foreign real estate, we invite you to a consultation with our company. During a personal online meeting, we'll discuss your questions in detail and create a step-by-step action plan for you.
1. Duration of Residence for Citizenship:
It is proposed to increase the minimum period of legal residence from 5 to 7 years for citizens of Portuguese-speaking countries and to 10 years for all others.
2. New starting point for calculating this period:
It is proposed to calculate the period of residence not from the date of application, but from the date of issue of the first residence permit.
3. Additional Requirements:
In addition to knowledge of the Portuguese language, applicants are also proposed to demonstrate:
– knowledge of Portuguese culture,
– knowledge of the fundamental rights and obligations inherent in Portuguese citizenship,
– knowledge of the political structure of the Portuguese state,
– and to sign a declaration of commitment to the fundamental principles of a democratic state governed by the rule of law.
4. Tightening the criminal record requirements:
It is proposed to deny citizenship to individuals convicted by a final court decision to a term of imprisonment for crimes punishable under Portuguese law.
5. Application of the new rules:
The new rules will apply to all citizenship applications submitted after June 19, 2025.
Attached is a more detailed summary of the proposed amendments, information on the legislative process, and a short "Questions and Answers" section.
Natlan, like the entire legal community, expresses serious concern about a number of proposals that may violate legal and constitutional standards.
It is important to emphasize that these are currently only proposals and have no legal force. The amendments still require parliamentary hearings and a vote (which have not yet been scheduled). The current government does not have a majority in Parliament, meaning that a broad consensus of at least two-thirds will be required to adopt the new version. Political discussions are currently underway, and the final text of the law may change significantly.
At the same time, we want to assure you that we are closely monitoring the situation and will consider all available legal measures to protect your rights and interests should they be affected.
It is also important to note that the current proposals do not mention the Golden Visa (GV) program. The government's promised improvements to this program have not yet been specified. For now, the Golden Visa program remains in effect under existing legislation.
As a reminder, the Golden Visa continues to provide the opportunity to obtain permanent residency after five years, without the need to relocate or maintain an investment. The Golden Permanent Residency program requires no continued investment, physical residence in the country, or tax obligations. It remains a reliable legal pathway for long-term residence in Portugal and citizenship—should you wish to pursue it.
We will keep you informed of any significant changes and are already working to ensure that the final draft law includes transitional provisions to ensure the protection of applicants with ongoing or approved residence permit processes.
If you're planning to obtain a residence permit, invest in a country's economy, or purchase foreign real estate, we invite you to a consultation with our company. During a personal online meeting, we'll discuss your questions in detail and create a step-by-step action plan for you.