On May 3, 2026, President António José Seguro officially promulgated the revised Nationality Law, ending months of political uncertainty. While the law brings stricter requirements for naturalization, the President’s accompanying reservations have signaled potential legal challenges regarding administrative delays and the protection of pending applications.
The New 10-Year Requirement
The most significant change in the legislation is the substantial increase in the naturalization timeline. For most foreign nationals, the period required to apply for Portuguese citizenship has doubled from five years to ten years.
However, certain groups receive more favorable terms:
- EU and CPLP Citizens: Nationals of European Union Member States and Portuguese-speaking countries (CPLP) face a seven-year residency requirement.
- The Residency Clock: In a reversal of a 2024 amendment, the clock for naturalization now starts only when the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) issues the physical residence permit, rather than from the date of the initial request.
Presidential Reservations and "Bureaucratic Slowness"
President Seguro did not sign the decree without concerns. In an official statement, he emphasized that such a fundamental law should be based on broad consensus rather than “ideological hallmarks of the moment.”
Crucially, the President addressed the chronic delays at AIMA. Given that permit issuance can currently take two to three years, legal experts estimate the effective path to citizenship could now stretch to nine or even 13 years. Seguro stressed that “the legally fixed timelines for obtaining nationality should not be affected by the slowness of the state.”
Protection for Pending Applications
For thousands of investors and migrants currently in the system, the President offered a note of reassurance. He highlighted the importance of guaranteeing that pending processes are not adversely affected by these legislative changes, calling any such shift an “undesirable breach of trust in the state.”
This sentiment is particularly relevant for Golden Visa holders. While the 5-year path to permanent residency remains unchanged, many investors had challenged the new citizenship timelines at the Constitutional Court in late 2025. The President’s remarks, while not legally binding, are expected to carry significant weight in future court interpretations.
What Happens Next?
The new Nationality Law will take effect immediately upon its publication in the Diário da República. While the naturalization path has become longer, the Golden Visa program remains a viable route for those seeking permanent residency, which is still obtainable after five years of investment.
As Portugal moves toward a more restrictive citizenship policy, the focus now shifts to how the government will address AIMA’s administrative backlog to ensure the new timelines remain fair and transparent for all applicants.
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