Portugal extends citizenship timeline to 7 or 10 years for expats

What the new nationality law changes

Portugal lengthened the residence period for citizenship and added integration tests under Lei Orgânica n.º 1/2026, which took effect May 19. The reform amends the core Nationality Law (Lei n.º 37/81) and applies only to files lodged on or after that date, the Ministry of Justice confirmed.

Naturalization by residence now requires 7 years of legal residence for nationals of EU and Portuguese-speaking (CPLP) countries and 10 years for everyone else. The previous threshold was 5 years. The residence clock now starts the day the permit is granted, reversing a 2024 change that counted the wait time at AIMA toward the qualifying period.

Article 6(1) adds new conditions: knowledge of Portuguese culture, history and national symbols; a solemn declaration of adherence to democratic rule-of-law principles; proof of financial self-sufficiency; and a clean record on terrorism, organized crime and state security offenses carrying sentences above 3 years. The A2 Portuguese language requirement stays.

Who feels the squeeze

Expats on D7, D8 digital nomad, work and family reunification permits face the longest waits, since most non-EU, non-CPLP holders now need a decade of residence before applying. Golden Visa investors retain their separate residence track but fall under the same extended citizenship timeline.

Children born in Portugal to foreign parents qualify for nationality only if at least one parent has lived legally in the country for 5 years at the time of birth. Minors seeking naturalization must also show enrollment in compulsory schooling. Adoption by a Portuguese citizen no longer triggers automatic nationality and now requires a declaration of will.

The law eliminates the special regime for descendants of Sephardic Jews and caps ancestry-based naturalization at great-grandchildren of Portuguese citizens. Short-stay tourists aren't affected.

Filing before and after May 19

Applications registered with the Conservatória or IRN before May 19, 2026 continue under the old 5-year rule and prior counting method. Anything filed on or after that date falls under the new regime.

Permit holders aiming for citizenship should confirm the exact grant date on their residence card, since that date now anchors the 7- or 10-year count. Document checklists for integration knowledge, the solemn declaration and proof of subsistence are pending publication by the IRN.

Read our full Portugal guide for the complete picture and check our latest visa updates for related changes.