Portugal’s president has signed into law a bill that sharply raises the minimum residency period for naturalisation, responding to an unprecedented surge in the country’s foreign-born population.
The legislation, approved by parliament on April 1, was ratified by President António José Seguro on May 3. It overhauls the previous five-year residency requirement, introducing a two‑tier system based on the applicant’s country of origin.
Under the new rules citizens of CPLP (Community of Portuguese‑Speaking Countries) or EU member states must reside legally in Portugal for at least seven years.
All other foreign nationals face a ten‑year legal residency requirement.
The reform also tightens access to citizenship for children born in Portugal to foreign parents. Previously, only one year of legal residency by either parent was required at the time of birth. Now, at least one parent must have lived legally in the country for a minimum of five years.
In a public statement, President Seguro stressed that applications already submitted will not be affected by the changes. The final wording and transitional provisions will take legal effect once the law is published in Portugal’s official gazette, the Diário da República.
