Portugal has officially approved one of the most significant overhauls of its citizenship law. On October 28, 2025, the Portuguese Parliament voted in favor of amendments extending the naturalization timeline, adding new eligibility criteria, and tightening the definition of residency.
The reform now awaits the President’s signature before publication in the Diário da República, after which it will take immediate effect. Importantly, there will be no transitional period, and the new rules will apply to all citizenship applications submitted after the law comes into force.
Major Changes Introduced by the 2025 Citizenship Law Amendments
The revised framework affects both EU and non-EU residents, reshaping how time, eligibility, and integration are measured in the citizenship process.
1. Naturalization Period Extended to 7 or 10 Years
The most consequential reform extends the naturalization timeline.
- EU citizens and nationals of Portuguese-speaking countries (CPLP) will now need to reside in Portugal for 7 years before applying for citizenship.
- All other foreign nationals must complete 10 years of lawful residence.
Previously, the rule allowed citizenship after just five years of residency. The government argues that the longer timeline will promote stronger integration and alignment with broader EU standards.
2. Language and Culture Requirement
Applicants for Portuguese citizenship must show they have a basic understanding of the Portuguese language and culture. This reflects the government’s intention to ensure that new citizens can communicate, participate in community life, and share a sense of belonging within Portugal’s social and cultural environment.
3. Stricter Criteria for Children of Foreign Nationals
Under the amended law, children born in Portugal will only qualify for citizenship if at least one parent has legally resided in the country for five years or more.
This replaces the previous, more flexible rule and aligns with the government’s intent to link citizenship to sustained, lawful residence rather than temporary presence. For many migrant families, this change adds a new dimension to long-term settlement planning.
4. Residency Count Begins from Residence Permit Issue Date
A technical but significant adjustment redefines how the “residency period” is calculated. Under the new rule, the countdown for eligibility begins from the date the residence permit is issued, not from the date the application for residency was filed.
This means applicants who have spent time in Portugal while waiting for their residence card approval will not be able to count that period toward the citizenship requirement. For Golden Visa holders and other residents, this could push back the effective start of their naturalization timeline.
5. Citizenship Revocation for Serious Crimes
The new law allows revocation of citizenship in cases where a naturalized citizen commits a serious crime punishable by imprisonment of four years or more.
This measure brings Portugal in line with other EU jurisdictions that treat nationality as a privilege subject to forfeiture when the bond of good conduct is broken. It also reinforces Portugal’s emphasis on maintaining public integrity within its citizenship framework.
Who Will Be Affected by the New Rules
The revised law will impact a broad range of residents, including EU nationals, CPLP citizens, digital nomads, retirees, and investment residents.
- Current applicants whose files are already under review before the new law takes effect should remain under the previous five-year rule.
- Future applicants submitting after publication will face the extended timelines and new documentation standards.
For families, the five-year parental residency rule will determine whether children born in Portugal can acquire nationality at birth. Legal experts are advising residents to review their permit dates carefully and prepare supporting documentation well in advance.
Implications for Golden Visa Holders
The Portugal Golden Visa program remains unaffected at the residency level, investors can still obtain residence permits through qualifying investment routes. However, the pathway to citizenship is now longer and more complex.
- Golden Visa investors can continue applying for permanent residency after five years, but citizenship eligibility will now be at seven or ten years, depending on nationality.
- Since the start of the residency period is now counted from the first residence card issuance date, delays in card processing could extend the journey further.
This change may alter the strategic planning of investors who previously viewed Portugal as one of Europe’s fastest routes to EU citizenship. Nonetheless, the program retains its attractiveness as a residency destination offering flexibility, safety, and family inclusion.
Looking Ahead
The new citizenship law represents a paradigm shift in how Portugal balances openness with integration. The country remains a leading destination for global investors and expatriates, but the message is clear: citizenship will now require deeper commitment, longer residence, and proven social integration.
