Portugal's Proposed Changes

Portugal is on the brink of some of the most significant overhauls to its immigration and nationality laws in decades. Though no legislation has been officially passed yet, a sweeping package of reforms was recently unveiled by the center-right government, and the implications are far-reaching for foreign residents, investors, and prospective citizens.

These proposals still require parliamentary approval and are subject to change, but here’s what we know so far.

1. A Longer Road to Citizenship

Perhaps the most headline-grabbing reform is the proposed extension of the legal residency period required for naturalization. Currently, most foreign nationals can apply for Portuguese citizenship after five years of legal residence. Under the new proposal, this would increase to 10 years for most applicants.

Exceptions are being made for citizens of Portuguese-speaking countries such as Brazil, Angola, and Mozambique, who would see the timeline extended to seven years.

In addition to the longer wait, applicants would need to meet stricter criteria. Besides demonstrating proficiency in the Portuguese language, candidates would be expected to prove their understanding of Portuguese culture, history, and democratic values. A personal declaration of commitment to the rule of law and democracy would also become mandatory.

Furthermore, naturalization would no longer be available to individuals with any effective prison sentence, which tightens the current rule that only disqualifies those sentenced to more than three years.

2. Citizenship Revocation and Criminal Convictions

Another controversial aspect of the proposal is a mechanism to strip citizenship from naturalised Portuguese citizens convicted of serious crimes. This measure would apply only to those naturalized for less than ten years and would be used as an accessory punishment following a court judgment.

According to the proposal, this would target crimes such as terrorism, homicide, and other severe offenses, and would require judicial oversight.

Critics have already raised questions about the constitutionality of this provision, though the government insists it complies with Portuguese and European legal frameworks.

3. Family Reunification – More Delays and Narrower Access

Proposed changes would also affect family reunification rights. Under the new rules, legal residents would need to live in Portugal for at least two years before applying to bring family members into the country.

Even then, the reunification would be limited to minor children. Requests for adult family members would only be considered if they are made from outside of Portugal. Applicants must also meet higher standards in terms of housing, income, and integration measures like language acquisition and school attendance. Only applicants considered as “highly skilled” may be waived of this requirement.

4. The End of Sephardic Jewish Naturalization

Another major shift involves the termination of the special naturalization regime for descendants of Sephardic Jews, a program established in 2013 to provide historical reparation for Jews expelled from Portugal in the 15th century.

While the program originally required only proof of descent, increasing scrutiny (especially after the high-profile case of Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich) led to tighter conditions. Now, the government has decided that the measure has fulfilled its historical purpose and will be phased out.

5. A New Path for Great-Grandchildren of Portuguese Nationals

At the same time as certain immigration rules are tightening, Portugal has also proposed extending citizenship eligibility to the great-grandchildren of Portuguese citizens born abroad. The current law allows such access only up to grandchildren and excludes many with deep ancestral ties to Portugal.

Officials say the change would particularly benefit communities in countries like Venezuela and the United States, where emigration from Portugal spans several generations.

6. Golden Visa Program: Still Safe For Now

With citizenship requirements tightening for most, what about Portugal’s famous Golden Visa? Experts say it appears to be largely unaffected for now.

While the new rules could theoretically extend the path to citizenship for investors to 10 years, the government has not confirmed any changes to the Golden Visa program itself, which operates under a separate legal framework.

In fact, Cabinet Minister António Leitão Amaro has hinted that the government intends to make the Golden Visa more attractive, possibly by introducing tax advantages or streamlining bureaucratic hurdles.

Stakeholders remain cautiously optimistic, though they stress the importance of continued dialogue with lawmakers to protect investor confidence and ensure legal predictability for applicants already in the system.

7. A “Green Way” for Researchers and Students

Not all the proposed changes involve tightening. The government has indicated plans to introduce a streamlined visa process (referred to as a “green way”) that targets foreign teachers, researchers, and students. This initiative would expedite entry procedures and ensure that Portugal remains attractive to academic talent despite broader restrictions.

8. CPLP Visas Now Require Consular Pre-Approval

Citizens from Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) (who previously could regularize their status within Portugal) would now need to apply for a residence visa through consular channels before arriving. This move aims to close loopholes that allowed individuals to bypass more traditional immigration controls.

These proposed reforms come amid a broader European trend toward tighter immigration rules and rising populism. In Portugal, the far-right Chega party recently surged in national elections and became the second-largest force in Parliament. Citizenship reform was a central issue in its campaign, and it is expected to support the proposed legislation.

However, the passage of all of its laws is not guaranteed. Because the reforms require a two-thirds majority in Parliament, the government must secure broad political consensus. Experts note that no draft legislation has been published yet, and even if introduced, the law must undergo three readings, committee review, and final approval by the President of the Republic.

If signed, the new rules will be published in the official Diário da República and could come into effect within weeks. However, legal professionals caution that significant changes to the draft are likely during the legislative process.