Portugal has officially approved major changes to its nationality law in 2026, significantly extending the timeline for foreign residents seeking Portuguese citizenship through naturalisation.
The reform affects citizenship applications based on years of legal residency in Portugal and introduces new rules on how residency time is calculated.
Residency Requirement Increased From 5 to 10 Years
Under the previous rules, most foreign nationals could apply for Portuguese citizenship after 5 years of legal residency.
Under the new law, the minimum residency period is now:
→ 10 years for most non-EU nationals;
→ 7 years for: EU nationals; and citizens of Portuguese-speaking countries (CPLP), including Brazil, Angola, Cabo Verde, Guiné-Bissau and Mozambique.
These changes apply specifically to citizenship by naturalisation, meaning applications based on long-term lawful residence in Portugal.
Residency Time Will No Longer Start From the Application Date
One of the most important changes concerns how legal residency time is counted.
In recent years, Portugal had adopted a more favourable interpretation allowing the waiting period between the submission of a residence application and the issuance of the first residence permit to count toward the citizenship timeline.
This was particularly important for:
→ Golden Visa applicants;
→ Applicants under the former Expression of Interest system, where administrative delays could sometimes last two or even three years.
The new law reverses that approach.
From now on, the residency clock only starts on the date the first residence permit is officially issued by AIMA. Time spent waiting for approval of the initial application no longer counts toward the citizenship requirement.
For many applicants, this may substantially delay eligibility for Portuguese citizenship in practice.
Permanent Residency Still Available After 5 Years
Importantly, the new law does not change the rules for permanent residency.
Foreign residents who complete 5 years of legal residency in Portugal may still apply for:
→ Permanent residence status; or
→ EU long-term resident status.
This means that even individuals affected by the longer citizenship timeline can still secure stable long-term residency rights in Portugal after five years.
Final Thoughts
The 2026 nationality reform represents one of the most significant changes to Portuguese citizenship law in decades.
For many foreign residents — particularly investors, Golden Visa holders, and applicants affected by long AIMA processing delays — the path to Portuguese citizenship is now considerably longer than before.
At the same time, Portugal continues to offer a route to permanent residency after five years, preserving an important long-term immigration option for residents planning to remain in the country.
This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice.
Published: 11th May 2026
