Portugal Tightens Immigration and Citizenship Rules: July 2025 Update

Significant Changes in Immigration Rules in Portugal

In July 2025, Portugal enacted sweeping changes to its immigration and nationality framework, triggered by a pivot in political alignment and mounted administrative challenges. These changes are expected to significantly affect foreign nationals residing or planning to relocate to Portugal.

Final adoption of major immigration reform

On July 16, the Portuguese Parliament approved amendments to Law No. 23/2007 (Immigration Law), ending the “expression of interest” regularisation route, tightening work‑seeker and re‑unification visas, and setting deadlines for transitional applications

Creation of UNEF (National Unit Foreigners & Borders)

A new unit within the PSP will now oversee border control, visa issuance, expulsion procedures, and temporary accommodation centers—restoring centralized border management functions formerly held by SEF.

Another significant change concerns family reunification. In the past, immigrants could bring many family members to join them, like in-laws, cousins, and other relatives. Under the new law, only close family members, such as dependent children, will be allowed to join. The government claims this is to simplify and focus the process.

Presidential referral to Constitutional Court

President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa forwarded the law to the Constitutional Court on July 28, citing constitutional concerns over discriminatory provisions—particularly visa and family reunification clauses that favour highly skilled immigrants and “golden visa” holders

Citizenship Law Reforms.

Residency requirements doubled
Proposed amendments would extend minimum residency for citizenship from 5 to 10 years for most applicants, and 7 years for nationals from Portuguese‑speaking countries (CPLP) a. Importantly, the residency clock begins only when a first residence permit is issued—not at application submission

Stricter integration criteria
New applicants will be required to pass a civic knowledge exam on Portuguese constitutional values, history and democratic principles, in addition to existing language proficiency tests. Applicants must also sign a formal pledge to uphold Portugal’s constitution

Citizenship reform delayed to September
A parliamentary committee postponed the final vote on nationality law revisions until September, allowing time for expert consultations and public hearings