Major Reform of the Portuguese Nationality Law (2026): What's changing in residency periods and access requirements?

On 19 May 2026, Organic Law no. 1/2026 of 18 May entered into force, introducing one of the most profound and demanding reforms of the Portuguese Nationality Law in the last few decades. The new diploma focuses on stricter integration requirements, significantly alters the legal residency periods, and redefines several routes to citizenship. That said, an important message of reassurance first: pending applications are not affected — the new rules apply only to applications submitted after the law came into force. Below, we look at the main changes and their direct impact on anyone planning to apply for Portuguese nationality.

Extended legal residency periods

The most striking change in this revision concerns the minimum period of legal residence in Portugal required to apply for naturalisation (Article 6, no. 1). The general period, previously 5 years, has been substantially extended:

• Nationals of CPLP and European Union countries: must now prove a minimum of 7 years of legal residence in Portugal (applies, among others, to Brazilian, Angolan and Cape Verdean citizens).
• Nationals of other States (general regime): the period doubles, now requiring a minimum of 10 years of legal residence in the country.

Stricter requirements in the naturalisation process

In addition to the time factor, the legislator introduced much more rigorous criteria for social integration and good standing. From now on, on top of knowledge of the Portuguese language, the following must also be met cumulatively:

1. Cultural integration: sufficient knowledge of Portuguese culture, national history and national symbols.

2. Civic awareness: knowledge of the fundamental rights and duties enshrined in the Constitution and of the political organisation of the State.

3. Democratic commitment: a solemn declaration of adherence to the fundamental principles of the democratic rule of law.

4. Means of subsistence: proof of economic capacity to support oneself.

5. Reinforced criminal good standing: no conviction to an actual prison sentence exceeding 3 years for terrorism, violent or highly organised crime, crimes against the security of the State, or aiding illegal immigration. The absence of restrictive measures approved by the UN or the European Union is also assessed.

Other relevant changes

While the change to residency periods has drawn the most attention, Organic Law no. 1/2026 has reshaped several other areas of nationality law.

End of the Sephardic Jews regime

The special regime for acquiring nationality through descent from Portuguese Sephardic Jews is definitively abolished, closing the application window that operated under specific criteria.

Extension to great-grandchildren and stateless persons

On a more open note, the law now expressly provides for the possibility of obtaining nationality by great-grandchildren of an originary Portuguese citizen. Additionally, the right to acquire nationality is granted to stateless persons who have been legally resident in Portugal for at least four years.

Children born in Portugal (children of foreign nationals)

The rules for minors born on Portuguese soil change significantly. Originary nationality now requires that, at the time of birth, one of the foreign parents has been legally resident in Portugal for at least five years (strictly evidenced by a valid residence permit). For the naturalisation of minors (Article 6, no. 2), the requirements are now cumulative: five years of residence by a parent and enrolment / regular attendance of compulsory schooling.

Adoption proceedings

Acquisition of nationality through full adoption is no longer automatic. It now necessarily depends on an express declaration of will for that purpose.

Protection of institutionalised minors

The diploma provides legal clarification for the situation of institutionalised minors, safeguarding their rights through the express inclusion of administrative measures of promotion and protection.

Transitional regime and next steps

The Government now has 90 days to issue complementary regulations and adapt the Regulation of Portuguese Nationality to the new legal provisions. Until then, it bears repeating: anyone whose application was already pending before 19 May 2026 retains their rights under the previous law.

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