Portuguese Nationality Law (2020 to 2025)

Over the last five years, Portugal has implemented several necessary reforms in both Nationality Law and Family Law. These changes significantly impact immigrants, foreign residents, and their families. Below is a step-by-step, year-by-year summary of these significant legal developments:

The Government will increase the current minimum period of five years of “legal residence to qualify for obtaining nationality” to seven years for those coming from countries in the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries and 10 years for other countries.

2020: Reforms in the Nationality Law

Major update to the Portuguese Nationality Law (Law no. 37/81).

For children born on Portuguese territory:

• If at least one parent has maintained legal residence for at least 1 year (previously 2 years), the child now has the automatic right to acquire Portuguese nationality.

This reform greatly benefited thousands of immigrant families living in Portugal.

2021: Simplification of Administrative Processes

The Portuguese government launched efforts to simplify the nationality application process.

New guidelines aimed to reduce processing times, although delays (backlog) remain.

Digital submission of documents was introduced.

Online tracking of application status became available.

2022: Family Law – Recognition of Non-Marital Partnerships

Essential changes in Portuguese Family Law:

• Non-marital partnerships (“união de facto”) received stronger legal recognition.
• More rights were granted to non-married partners, such as inheritance rights, social benefits, and immigration privileges.

This provided new options for international couples residing in Portugal.

2023: Enforcement of Language & Civic Knowledge for Nationality

Stronger focus on language and civic knowledge for nationality applicants:

Civic understanding of Portuguese history, culture, and democratic values began to be formally assessed for some categories.

Applicants are required to pass certified Portuguese language tests (A2 level minimum).

2024: Family Reunification Improvements

Changes in Family Reunification Law:

Increased attention to humanitarian cases, such as family members of asylum seekers and vulnerable applicants.

Simplified procedures for family members of foreign residents to apply for reunification.

More flexible criteria for family ties (including extended family in exceptional cases).

2025: Latest Changes to the Nationality Law (Announced in June 2025)

The most significant update since 2020 announced by the Portuguese Government:

Any person with an effective prison sentence on record will be excluded (the previous rule only excluded sentences above 3 years).

For children of foreign residents born in Portugal:

Parents must now have at least 3 years of legal residence before the child can acquire nationality.

Nationality will not be granted automatically — an express application is required.

For naturalisation applicants:

The required period of legal residence increases:

7 years for citizens of Portuguese-speaking countries (CPLP).

10 years for citizens of other countries.

The residence period now starts counting from the date the residence permit is granted, not the date of initial application.

Applicants must demonstrate:

Sufficient knowledge of the Portuguese language and culture.

Understanding of fundamental rights and duties under the Portuguese Republic.

Pass formal assessment tests.

Sign a declaration of loyalty to the democratic rule of law.

Criminal record standards are raised: