What is Portugal´s new Nationality Law in 2026?
Immigration News Portugal - Here is Portugal´s new Nationality Law in 2026 through the Decree-Law that was approved by the Council of Ministers on October 29th, 2026. Portugal´s new citizenship law specifies the new requirements for the granting and acquisition of Portuguese nationality including changes that have also been made to make the processes faster and reduce delays. Here are the minimum number of years of legal residence and the requirements for obtaining Portuguese citizenship under Portugal´s new Nationality Law:
What is Portugal´s new Nationality Law for obtaining Portuguese citizenship for non EU nationals in 2026?
Portugal´s new Nationality Law for obtaining Portuguese citizenship for non EU nationals in 2026, that was approved on October 29th, 2026 is 10 years of legal residence for nationals of non EU countries.
What is Portugal´s new Nationality Law for obtaining Portuguese citizenship for children born in Portugal to foreign parents in 2026?
Portugal´s new Nationality Law for obtaining Portuguese citizenship for children born in Portugal to foreign parents in 2026, that was approved on October 29th, 2026 is that the child´s original nationality depends on one of the parents having at least 5 years of legal residence at the time of birth.
What is Portugal´s new Nationality Law for obtaining Portuguese citizenship for EU citizens in 2026?
Portugal´s new Nationality Law for obtaining Portuguese citizenship for EU citizens in 2026, that was approved on October 29th, 2026 is 7 years of legal residence.
What is Portugal´s new Nationality Law for obtaining Portuguese citizenship of PALOP countries in 2026?
Portugal´s new Nationality Law for obtaining Portuguese citizenship for nationals of PALOP - Portuguese-speaking African countries in 2026, that was approved on October 29th, 2026 is 7 years of legal residence.
What is Portugal´s new Nationality Law for obtaining Portuguese citizenship in case of marriage or civil partners in 2026?
1- A foreigner married to a Portuguese national for more than 3 years may acquire Portuguese nationality
by declaration made during the course of the marriage.
2 - A declaration of nullity or annulment of marriage shall not prejudice the nationality acquired by the spouse
who contracted the marriage in good faith.
3 - The foreigner who, at the date of the declaration, lives in a long-term civil partnership for more than 3
years with a Portuguese national may acquire Portuguese nationality, after an action for recognition of that
situation to be filed in the civil court
What are the requirements to obtain Portuguese citizenship under the new Nationality Law in 2026?
The requirements to obtain Portuguese citizenship under the new Nationality Law in 2026 are:
1 - 7 years of legal residence for EU citizens and nationals of the PALOP countries, and 10 years for nationals of other countries. For children born in Portugal to foreign parents, original nationality depends on one of the parents having at least 5 years of legal residence at the time of birth.
2 - Tests of knowledge of the Portuguese language, culture, history and institutions
3 - Subsistence requirements
4 - The declaration of adherence to the principles of the democratic rule of law
5 - The procedure for collecting biometric data
6 - It simplifies and digitizes procedures, promoting interoperability between public services and the obtaining of documents, with the aim of reducing bureaucracy and accelerating the decision-making process for nationality applications
7 - Approval shall depend on not having been sentenced to a prison sentence of three years or more, with the sentence having become final and conclusive, for a crime punishable under Portuguese law, and on the non-existence of danger or threat to national security or defence, through involvement in activities related to the practice of terrorism, under the terms of the respective law.
"We have made the granting of Portuguese citizenship more demanding in terms of demonstrating an effective connection" - António Leitão Amaro, Minister of the Presidency of Portugal.
