Portugal Announces New Residency Requirements for Citizenship

Applicants Must Now Spend 7 to 10 Years Legally in the Country to Qualify

Portugal has officially approved new rules that increase the required period of legal residence for immigrants applying for Portuguese citizenship. As of the latest decision by the Council of Ministers, foreign nationals will now need to live legally in Portugal for 7 to 10 years before they can apply for nationality, up from the previous five-year minimum.

The new timeline depends on the applicant’s country of origin:

• 7 years for nationals of Portuguese-speaking countries
• 10 years for all other applicants

In addition, the residency period will now count from the date the residence permit is issued, rather than the date of initial application.

Updated Conditions for Children Born to Foreign Nationals

The changes also impact children born in Portugal to foreign residents. Portuguese nationality will no longer be granted automatically at birth. Instead, parents must have lived legally in the country for at least three years and must formally request citizenship for their child.

New requirements have also been introduced for naturalization applicants, who must now:

• Show basic knowledge of Portuguese language and culture
• Pass an assessment covering rights and responsibilities
• Sign a declaration of commitment to Portugal’s democratic principles

These reforms are meant to ensure a stronger sense of national belonging and clearer integration into the Portuguese community.