PORTUGAL’S NEW NATIONALITY LAW

The new regulations came into force on 19 May.

Among the main changes is an increase in the minimum period of legal residence required to apply for Portuguese citizenship:

- 7 years of legal residence in the country for citizens of the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP) and of European Union member states;

- 10 years for citizens of other countries;

- children of foreign nationals born in Portugal: it is now necessary for at least one parent to have been legally resident in the country for five years at the time of the child’s birth;

- minors born on Portuguese territory may obtain citizenship by naturalisation only if they are enrolled in and attend compulsory schooling, where applicable;

- further integration criteria are introduced:

• knowledge of the Portuguese language;

• proof of integration into the community;

• knowledge of Portuguese culture, rights and civic duties.

The new law also introduces new criteria relating to security and criminal records: applications from individuals sentenced to more than three years’ imprisonment for serious offences, such as terrorism and organised crime, may be rejected.

The law also provides for the collection of biometric data during naturalisation procedures.

The new legislation further stipulates that the waiting period for a residence permit will no longer be counted towards the time required to obtain citizenship.

The count will only begin once the residence permit has been issued.

The text retains the abolition of the special scheme for descendants of Sephardic Jews.

Despite these changes, administrative procedures already underway will continue to follow the previous rules, with no retroactive application.

National Official Journal: https://diariodarepublica.pt/d...