Portugal is advancing further in its citizenship law amendments.
On April 1, 2026, the Portuguese Parliament approved a revised version of the nationality law with a two-thirds majority. The changes are not yet in force. The bill has been sent to the President for review.
The President can sign the law, veto it, or send it to the Constitutional Court. Until one of these steps is completed, the current rules remain in place.
Citizenship Reform in Detail
Earlier versions of the bill were reviewed by the Constitutional Court in December 2025. Some provisions were found unconstitutional. These included parts related to automatic refusal of citizenship and unclear legal definitions.
After that decision, the text was revised and voted on again on April 1st, 2026.
The most important change is the extension of the residence period required for citizenship.
If the law enters into force in its current form:
- Most applicants will need 10 years of legal residence
- EU nationals and citizens of Portuguese-speaking countries (CPLP) will need 7 years
This is an increase from the current 5-year requirement.
The bill changes how the residence period is calculated.
The timeline will start from the date of the first residence card issuance, not from the date of the initial residency application.
This may extend the effective waiting period in practice.
The revised law keeps some existing requirements and adds others.
Key points include:
- Portuguese language requirement at A2 level (unchanged)
- Introduction of a civic knowledge requirement
- Requirement to declare adherence to democratic principles
- Need to show sufficient means of subsistence
- Requirement to have a clean criminal record
The criminal threshold has also been adjusted. Individuals sentenced to 3 or more years in prison may not be eligible for citizenship. Now, this threshold is 5 years.
There are also provisions allowing loss of nationality in cases of serious crimes, although earlier versions of such measures were challenged in court.
The current version of the law does not clearly include any transitional measures.
There is no explicit confirmation of:
- Grandfathering for existing residents
- Protection for those already in the system
- Preservation of current counting rules
Golden Visa: No Direct Changes
The reform does not change the Portugal Golden Visa program itself.
The Golden Visa remains a residency program. The following points are unchanged:
- Residency rights
- Renewal process
- Family reunification
- Eligibility for permanent residency after five years
However, the reform affects the path from residency to citizenship, not the residency status itself.
At present, the existing law still applies.
This means:
- The 5-year rule for citizenship eligibility remains valid until the amendments are put into force.
- Current procedures continue as before
Once the law is in place, future applications will be subject to the new, extended timelines and requirements.
The treatment of pending or future applications will depend on the final version of the law and any further legal review.
What Happens Next
The next step is the President’s decision.
There are three possible outcomes:
- Approval of the law
- Veto and return to Parliament
- Referral to the Constitutional Court
If the law is reviewed again by the Court, implementation may be delayed.
As of April 2026, the legislative process is still ongoing.
Further advances in these legislation amendments confirm a shift in Portugal’s approach to citizenship.
The proposed changes focus on:
- Longer residence periods
- More structured eligibility requirements
- A revised legal framework
Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or investment advice. The information reflects the status of the legislative process as of April 2026 and may be subject to change. Readers should seek independent professional advice tailored to their individual circumstances before making any decisions based on this content.