Portugal has taken another step toward reshaping its citizenship framework, as parliament approved a revised nationality law decree following a last-minute agreement between the Social Democratic Party (PSD) and Chega.
The decree passed with a 152–64 vote, with one abstention, securing the two-thirds majority required for nationality legislation after months of legal challenges and political negotiation.
Alongside this, lawmakers approved a separate measure introducing the possibility of loss of nationality as a criminal penalty, which passed 151–65, also with a two-thirds majority.
The revised decree does not include transitional protections for current applicants, removing a key safeguard that had been expected during earlier stages of the debate.
Background: Reform Push Accelerated in 2025
The current phase of Portugal’s nationality law reform accelerated in 2025, when parliament approved amendments to extend the residency requirement for naturalization.
The proposed framework shifts the timeline:
- From 5 years under current law
- To 7 years for EU and CPLP nationals
- And 10 years for most other applicants
Before the law could take effect, it was referred to the Constitutional Court for preventive review, delaying implementation.
In December 2025, the court struck down several provisions while allowing the broader structure, including longer residency timelines, to remain in place.
What the Deal Changed
The final outcome was shaped by a last-minute political agreement, announced less than an hour before the parliamentary debate.
The deal moved the final text closer to Chega’s position on key points.
One of the most significant changes concerns the criminal threshold for blocking citizenship, which was reduced from five years to three years, aligning with Chega’s earlier proposal.
In addition, the scope of offenses that can lead to loss of nationality was expanded in the Penal Code. These now include:
- Leadership in criminal associations
- Arms trafficking
- Drug trafficking
At the same time, some proposals were not included. A suggested requirement that would have restricted access to citizenship for applicants receiving social benefits was not adopted.
What the New Decree Does
Following the court’s decision, the decree was revised and secured sufficient political support to pass in parliament. It has now been approved, but remains subject to presidential promulgation or potential veto before becoming fully effective.
1. Residency Timeline Direction Maintained
The decree maintains the direction set in earlier legislative approvals:
- Up to 10 years of residence for most foreign nationals
- Around 7 years for EU and CPLP nationals
These timelines reflect the proposed structure of the reform, but are not yet fully implemented in practice.
2. Residency Calculation Remains Unclear
A key unresolved issue is how residency time will be calculated.
Questions remain around:
- When the qualifying period begins
- Whether applicants will be assessed under rules at the time of application or final decision
These issues were raised during constitutional review and have not been fully clarified.
3. No Transitional Protections
The most significant aspect of the decree is the absence of transitional protections.
This means:
- There is no grandfathering mechanism for applicants already in the system
- Proposals such as a phase-in period and application-date-based counting were rejected
This represents a clear break from earlier expectations and has been one of the most debated elements of the reform.
4. Loss of Nationality as Criminal Penalty
Alongside the nationality decree, parliament approved amendments to the Penal Code introducing loss of nationality as an accessory criminal penalty.
This reflects a broader tightening of Portugal’s approach to nationality, linking it more directly to criminal conduct under defined thresholds.
Political Context: PSD–Chega Alignment
The approval reflects a political alignment between the PSD-led government and Chega.
The government required additional support to pass the decree, while Chega has consistently advocated for stricter nationality and immigration policies.
This alignment enabled the revised decree to pass and signals a broader shift toward a more restrictive citizenship framework.
What Happens Next
The approved decrees now move to the President for promulgation.
The President has the authority to:
- Sign the decree into law
- Veto it and return it to parliament
- Or refer it again to the Constitutional Court for review
If vetoed, parliament can override the decision with an absolute majority (116 votes).
As a result, the process is not yet complete, and further legal or political developments remain possible.
What This Means for Applicants and Investors
The direction of policy is now clearer, but the outcome is not fully settled.
Key implications:
- The current 5-year citizenship pathway remains in force for now
- Longer timelines are part of the approved reform direction
- The absence of transitional protections introduces uncertainty for existing applicants
- Citizenship planning timelines are becoming less predictable
Importantly, permanent residency after five years remains unchanged, and the Golden Visa program itself was not part of this legislative debate.
Bottom Line
Portugal is moving toward a longer and stricter pathway to citizenship.
The latest step does not just extend timelines. It removes a key assumption that applicants relied on.
There is no confirmed protection for those already in the system.
The direction is clear.
The final outcome is still evolving.
