Portugal’s reputation as a gateway to EU citizenship may be about to shift. In October 2025, the Portuguese Parliament approved a major reform to the country’s nationality law, including a proposal to double the required residency period for naturalisation. Investors, long-term residents, and global mobility planners are now facing an uncertain legal landscape, as the reform is suspended pending constitutional review.
For applicants pursuing Portuguese citizenship, particularly through routes like the Golden Visa, the stakes are high. While the current five-year rule remains in effect for now, the proposed changes signal a clear tightening of Portugal’s naturalisation pathway. Here is what you need to know.
What Are the New Rules in Portugal’s Citizenship Law?
The 2025 reform introduces several substantial changes to Portugal’s citizenship eligibility framework. Chief among them is the extension of the required residency period from five years to ten years for most applicants. Citizens of CPLP countries and EU member states would still benefit from a reduced timeline of seven years.
Another major change concerns how residency is counted. Under the proposed law, the start of the naturalisation clock would be tied strictly to the date a residence permit is issued. This would exclude any prior waiting period, including time spent in Portugal legally but without a formal card in hand.
Other notable adjustments include:
- Stricter integration criteria, with formal assessments on Portuguese civic knowledge and national values
- Citizenship by birth for children of foreign residents only if one parent has held legal residency for at least five years
- Removal of the citizenship route for descendants of Portuguese Sephardic Jews
- A controversial provision that would allow the revocation of citizenship following conviction for serious crimes, under separate review
These changes, if enacted, would reshape Portugal’s citizenship regime, aligning it more closely with countries that demand longer integration before full nationality is granted.
When Will the New Law Take Effect?
Although Parliament passed the legislation on 28 October 2025, it has not yet entered into force. The Socialist Party, which opposed the changes, submitted a request for preventive constitutional review on 13 November. This legal mechanism immediately suspended the law, pending a ruling from Portugal’s Constitutional Court.
As a result, the current citizenship rules remain unchanged. Applicants may still apply for naturalisation after five years of legal residence, with prior waiting periods often included in that calculation. The new rules cannot be applied unless and until the Court confirms their constitutionality and the President formally promulgates the law.
Who Is Affected by the 10-Year Residency Requirement?
Golden Visa Holders and Foreign Investors
The reform would impact Golden Visa participants most significantly. Investors who had planned their path to citizenship around the five-year benchmark could see that timeline double. According to SEF data, more than 12,000 Golden Visa residence permits have been issued since 2012, many with the intent of future naturalisation.
Since many rely on the investment route as a stepping stone to EU citizenship, the absence of transitional protections is of particular concern. Applicants already part-way through the process would be subject to the new rules without exception.
Long-Term Residents and Professionals
Professionals and retirees living in Portugal on D7, digital nomad, or family reunification visas would also face a longer wait for citizenship. The change to how residence time is calculated may penalise those who have experienced delays with immigration services. These delays, common under the former SEF and now handled by the AIMA, could result in lost time that no longer counts toward citizenship.
In 2024 alone, more than 45,000 residence permits were granted across various visa types, many to applicants from Brazil, the US, and India. These individuals may now face extended naturalisation timelines.
CPLP and EU Citizens
Nationals of Portuguese-speaking countries and EU member states retain a modest advantage under the reform. The proposed seven-year timeline reflects Portugal’s ongoing commitment to Lusophone and European ties. Still, these applicants would be required to meet the same enhanced integration standards.
Families With Children Born in Portugal
Birthright citizenship will become more restrictive. Previously, children born in Portugal could acquire nationality even if their parents had only short-term legal residency. The new rule sets a five-year legal residency requirement for at least one parent at the time of birth. This change would significantly reduce access for families still in the early stages of settlement.
According to government figures, more than 30,000 children born in Portugal to foreign parents received nationality between 2018 and 2023. Many of these cases would not qualify under the new rules.
Sephardic Jewish Descendants
The reform ends the path to citizenship for descendants of Portuguese Sephardic Jews. Introduced as a gesture of historical justice, this route has been one of the more accessible non-residency pathways. Its removal eliminates a unique avenue that thousands have used since 2015. Over 63,000 Sephardic citizenship applications were submitted between 2015 and 2023, with a notable spike following policy tightening in 2022.
Why Is the Citizenship Reform Under Constitutional Review?
The Socialist Party requested preventive review on legal grounds. Their concerns centre on the lack of transitional provisions, which they argue violates the principle of legal certainty. For residents who have structured their lives around the five-year rule, an abrupt change without grandfathering creates unpredictability and undermines trust in the law.
The party also questioned whether the proposed clause allowing loss of citizenship following a serious criminal conviction is compatible with Portugal’s Constitution. Such penalties are rare in Portuguese law and may conflict with protections for dual nationals or stateless individuals.
The Court has until mid-December to rule. If it upholds the law in its entirety, it returns to the President for final decision. If the Court finds constitutional violations, the law will be partially or fully blocked.
What Does This Mean for Current and Future Applicants?
For now, the five-year rule remains valid. Those already eligible for citizenship or approaching the five-year threshold can proceed under current rules. However, processing timelines may be affected by administrative caution while the Court’s review is pending.
Applicants considering long-term residency in Portugal should closely monitor the outcome. If the reform passes unchanged, future citizenship applicants will face more rigorous requirements and a longer wait. Investors and families should consult qualified legal advisors to protect their timeline and residency status.
How Might the Constitutional Court Rule?
Legal experts suggest the Court will focus on proportionality, legal certainty, and procedural fairness. The absence of transitional rules may be seen as disproportionately harmful to applicants already meeting current criteria. There is precedent for the Court to strike down or require revisions to laws that disrupt legitimate expectations without adequate notice.
In recent years, the Constitutional Court has ruled against retroactive effects in nationality and residence laws, particularly where they interfere with family rights or prior legal expectations. If the Court rejects the reform in part, Parliament may need to redraft and reapprove the law. If it validates the full proposal, the President will still need to decide whether to sign it or issue a political veto. In either case, the outcome will shape the future of Portugal’s citizenship model for years to come.
What Should Investors and Residents Do Now?
Those eligible under the five-year rule should consider submitting their citizenship applications promptly. Golden Visa investors and others in early stages should review their timelines with legal advisors and ensure documentation is complete.
The current suspension provides a window of opportunity, but the outcome is far from guaranteed. A constitutional green light could activate the 10-year rule as early as January 2026, depending on presidential action. Strategic planning now could prevent years of additional waiting later.
Legal Certainty Delayed, Not Denied
Portugal’s 2025 citizenship reform reflects a broader shift toward stricter integration standards and longer timelines for naturalisation. While the law is currently on hold, the debate has already reshaped expectations for those seeking to become Portuguese citizens.
As the Constitutional Court prepares to rule, investors and residents must navigate this period of transition with care. Next Generation Equity continues to monitor developments closely and supports clients in protecting their paths to citizenship under both current and future frameworks.
For tailored guidance on securing Portuguese citizenship or exploring alternative EU pathways, speak with an advisor at Next Generation Equity today.
FAQs
What Is Preventive Constitutional Review in Portugal?
Preventive review allows certain political bodies to request legal scrutiny from the Constitutional Court before a law is enacted. In this case, the Socialist Party triggered it to challenge the citizenship reform. The process halts the law’s enforcement until the Court rules on its constitutionality.
Will the 10-Year Rule Apply Retroactively?
Yes, the proposed law would apply to all applicants regardless of when they started residing in Portugal. This includes those already close to five years of residency, as there are no transitional provisions to protect in-process applications.
Can the President Still Veto the Reform After the Court Rules?
Yes. If the Constitutional Court upholds the law, the President retains the right to issue a political veto. This would send the law back to Parliament for reconsideration, even if it passes constitutional review.
How Long Will the Constitutional Court Take to Decide?
Under Portuguese law, the Court typically rules on preventive reviews within 25 working days. A decision on the 2025 citizenship reform is expected by mid-December unless an extension is formally granted.
Is the Citizenship Route for Sephardic Jews Still Available?
No. The reform eliminates Article 6(7), which allowed citizenship for descendants of Portuguese Sephardic Jews. If enacted, this route will no longer be available, and no replacement pathway has been announced.
