What are the new immigration and citizenship laws in Portugal in 2025?

What are the new immigration and citizenship laws in Portugal in 2025? - Portugal Business News

Immigration News Portugal - Here are the new immigration and citizenship laws in Portugal in 2025 that were published on June 23, 2025:

New immigration laws were approved by Portugal’s Council of Ministers, namely the Portuguese Nationality (Citizenship) Law, the Foreigners Law for obtaining Portuguese Residency Permits, and the creation of a Foreigners and Borders Unit called UNEF. With these new immigration laws, Portuguese citizenship will become more difficult to obtain and may even be lost if convicted of serious crimes. 

Here are the new immigration and citizenship laws in Portugal in 2025:

1 – What is Portugal’s new Nationality (Citizenship) Law in 2025?

Portugal’s new Nationality (Citizenship) Law is based on the principle of “a genuine, robust, lasting connection” to Portugal.

Here are the changes to obtain Portuguese citizenship in 2025:

i – What is the number of years to obtain Portuguese nationality (citizenship)?

The number of years for foreigners residing in Portugal to obtain Portuguese nationality (citizenship) has been changed to a period of seven years for citizens of Portuguese-speaking countries and to a period of ten years for citizens of other countries. Moreover, this period begins to count from the date of obtaining the residence permit.

ii – What are the new requirements to obtain Portuguese nationality (citizenship)?

The new requirements to obtain Portuguese nationality (citizenship) are:

·      Knowledge of the Portuguese language and culture

·      Sufficient knowledge of the duties and rights of Portuguese citizens that will be proven through tests.

·      Sufficient knowledge of Portugal’s political organization that will be proven through tests.

·      In the application for Portuguese naturalization (citizenship), a solemn declaration of adherence to the fundamental principles of the democratic rule of law is to be made.

·      Foreigners who have been sentenced to effective prison sentences will not be allowed to obtain Portuguese nationality.

iii – What are the new requirements for descendants of foreigners residing in Portugal to obtain Portuguese nationality (citizenship)?

The granting of nationality to descendants of foreigners residing in Portugal now requires parents to have had legal residence for three years, and only if the desire for the child to be Portuguese is expressed.

iv – What are the changes to Portugal’s nationality law for Sephardic Jews?

Portugal’s nationality law for Sephardic Jews is abolished.

v - What are the changes to Portugal’s nationality law for foreigners with Portuguese ancestors?

Foreigners with Portuguese ancestors will only be allowed to obtain Portuguese nationality (citizenship) if they are not more that the great-grandchildren of Portuguese citizens.

vi – Can you lose Portuguese nationality – citizenship?

It is possible to lose Portuguese nationality (citizenship) in the case of citizens who have recently obtained citizenship when it is decreed by a judge for highly serious crimes equivalent to an effective prison sentence of five years or more.

2 – Portugal’s new Immigration Law in 2025: What is the Foreigners Law for obtaining Portuguese Residency Permits

Portugal’s new Immigration Law to obtain Portuguese residency is called the Foreigners Law and here are the changes in 2025:

i – What are the changes for citizens of Portuguese-speaking countries to obtain residency in Portugal?

These are the changes for citizens of Portuguese-speaking countries to obtain residency in Portugal (CPLP citizens):

·      The application for a CPLP residence permit is limited to those who have a residence visa, and it is no longer possible to apply for it in Portugal with tourist visas or with a visa exemption.

·      An opinion from Portugal’s border unit of the Internal Security System is now required when granting these visas as requests may be rejected for reasons of public order, security and public health.

·      The current tacit approval system is cancelled.

·      Family members must learn the Portuguese language and minors must attend compulsory education.

·      It is mandatory to prove adequate accommodation and means of subsistence without including social benefits.

ii – What are the changes to the Family Reunification Law in Portugal in 2025?

·      Two years of legal residence are required for the right to Family Reunification to be exercised.

·      The request for reunification of people who are in Portugal is restricted to minors. Adults will have to request it outside Portugal and be subject to approval by the Portuguese authorities.

iii – What are the changes to Work Search Visas to enter Portugal in 2025?

Visas for entry into Portugal without a contract or promise of work will remain only for highly qualified people. The Government will begin negotiations with higher education institutions to create a scheme to attract talent, also creating a dedicated channel at AIMA.

iv – What happens to Portuguese Residency permits that expire on June 30th, 2025?

Portuguese Residency permits that expire on June 30th, 2025, are automatically extended to October 15th, 2025.

3 – What is Portugal’s new Foreigners and Borders Unit in 2025?

Portugal will create a National Unit for Foreigners and Borders within the PSP police department called UNEF. 

This is because “Portugal must once again have a border police force that controls entry, inspects and returns to their countries those who do not comply with the rules.”

This includes the creation of a rapid and effective system for the removal of foreigners in an illegal situation, in line with the new European regulations.