We would like to update you on the current legislative process regarding the Portuguese Nationality Law.
A general vote in Parliament on the government's proposed amendments was scheduled for today.
As expected, the debate ended in controversy after several MPs expressed concerns about the unconstitutionality of some provisions of the bill, including its retroactive effect and violation of legitimate expectations. This view is shared by prominent academics, including the so-called "father" of the Portuguese Constitution.
Consequently, the government withdrew its proposal from the general vote and requested that the amendments to the Nationality Law and the Immigration Law be returned to parliamentary committees for more detailed discussion, without a vote at this stage, in order to ensure broader consensus with opposition parties.
During the committee stage, various political parties can discuss the proposed amendments, reach consensus, and propose alternative formulations. The government has stated its intention to conduct this discussion within a compressed timeframe, but with the aim of adopting a final text that will "unite the country and make it more cohesive."
To date, no date has been set for the next discussion, and no other events have occurred that could impact the routine processing of current or new applications under current legislation. An agreement was reached this morning, September 9, in the Committee on Rights, Freedoms, and Guarantees. The government party has agreed to hold a hearing to hear experts on this issue if it takes place before the third week of September.
The goal is to resolve this issue before the start of the State Budget Law debate and avoid adopting a final formulation that could lead to unconstitutional provisions.
According to parliamentary reports, the delay, as expected, was caused by controversy surrounding the initial draft law, as well as opinions expressed by several constitutional law professors and immigration lawyers who deemed parts of the proposal unconstitutional, as well as lobbying and pressure from various stakeholders.
Please note that parliament will recess on July 17 and resume in September, making it particularly challenging to complete the legislative process before the end of the current parliamentary session given the particular importance of the law under consideration.
We would also like to remind you that Natlan Invest, together with the entire legal community and industry representatives, continues to actively participate in various initiatives to protect the interests of clients and their rights. We are confident that the final version of the new law will differ significantly from the current draft and will respect applicants and their fundamental rights under the Portuguese Constitution.
A general vote in Parliament on the government's proposed amendments was scheduled for today.
As expected, the debate ended in controversy after several MPs expressed concerns about the unconstitutionality of some provisions of the bill, including its retroactive effect and violation of legitimate expectations. This view is shared by prominent academics, including the so-called "father" of the Portuguese Constitution.
Consequently, the government withdrew its proposal from the general vote and requested that the amendments to the Nationality Law and the Immigration Law be returned to parliamentary committees for more detailed discussion, without a vote at this stage, in order to ensure broader consensus with opposition parties.
During the committee stage, various political parties can discuss the proposed amendments, reach consensus, and propose alternative formulations. The government has stated its intention to conduct this discussion within a compressed timeframe, but with the aim of adopting a final text that will "unite the country and make it more cohesive."
To date, no date has been set for the next discussion, and no other events have occurred that could impact the routine processing of current or new applications under current legislation. An agreement was reached this morning, September 9, in the Committee on Rights, Freedoms, and Guarantees. The government party has agreed to hold a hearing to hear experts on this issue if it takes place before the third week of September.
The goal is to resolve this issue before the start of the State Budget Law debate and avoid adopting a final formulation that could lead to unconstitutional provisions.
According to parliamentary reports, the delay, as expected, was caused by controversy surrounding the initial draft law, as well as opinions expressed by several constitutional law professors and immigration lawyers who deemed parts of the proposal unconstitutional, as well as lobbying and pressure from various stakeholders.
Please note that parliament will recess on July 17 and resume in September, making it particularly challenging to complete the legislative process before the end of the current parliamentary session given the particular importance of the law under consideration.
We would also like to remind you that Natlan Invest, together with the entire legal community and industry representatives, continues to actively participate in various initiatives to protect the interests of clients and their rights. We are confident that the final version of the new law will differ significantly from the current draft and will respect applicants and their fundamental rights under the Portuguese Constitution.
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.