Portuguese Nationality in 2025: Current Landscape, Proposed Changes, and Practical Guidance

Portuguese nationality represents, for many foreigners, a gateway to the European Union and all the opportunities that this status offers. In 2025, the process of obtaining Portuguese citizenship is at a crucial turning point, with proposed significant changes in legislation that may drastically alter the requirements and timelines for those seeking to become Portuguese citizens.

This article provides a detailed overview of the current process (May 2025) of acquiring Portuguese nationality, recent and proposed changes in legislation, and practical guidance for those considering starting this journey.

Current Landscape of Portuguese Nationality

Currently, the Nationality Law (No. 37/81) establishes that foreigners who have legally resided in Portugal for at least five years may apply for Portuguese citizenship. This is known as nationality by acquisition, governed by Articles 2 to 9 of the said law. It is one of the most commonly used paths for immigrants who wish to settle permanently in Portugal and gain EU citizenship rights.

The process of obtaining nationality through legal residence involves validation of the residence period by the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA), which forwards the information to the Institute of Registries and Notary (IRN), responsible for handling citizenship applications. However, there are frequent complaints about delays in AIMA providing this information to the IRN, significantly extending waiting times.

Another important point is that the government has not yet regulated a law passed by Parliament a year ago, which allows the time spent waiting for a residence permit to count towards the five-year requirement. This lack of regulation creates uncertainty and may negatively affect applicants. Nevertheless, the IRN itself has stated that applications under this premise are being accepted, and many individuals have already submitted their requests.

Proposed Legislative Changes for 2025

Portugal’s political landscape has sparked debates over possible amendments to the Nationality Law. The most significant and concerning proposed change is to increase the minimum legal residence period from five to ten years. If approved, this would double the waiting time for many immigrants planning to become Portuguese citizens. There is also discussion about tightening integration requirements, including more proof of ties to the Portuguese community.

The proposal is already being publicly discussed and may be officially presented shortly after the new government is formed.

Who May Be Affected by These Changes

The proposed changes could mainly impact:

1. Individuals who have already completed 5 years of legal residence but have not yet applied;

2. Spouses of Portuguese citizens who are waiting to apply through marriage;

3. Immigrants nearing the 5-year mark who plan to wait a few more months.

It is important to note that it is not allowed to apply with less than five years of legal residence assuming it will be evaluated later. The requirement must be fulfilled at the time of the application.

Average Waiting Time for Portuguese Citizenship in 2025

The waiting time to obtain Portuguese nationality can vary greatly depending on the type of application and how well-prepared the documentation is. In recent years, the government has made efforts to improve legislation and processing systems.

On average, citizenship has taken between 24 and 36 months, though this can vary. Some receive citizenship in under two years, while others wait over four.

Estimated average waiting times in 2025:

• Children of Portuguese citizens: 12 to 18 months

• Grandchildren of Portuguese citizens: 25 to 30 months

• Spouses of Portuguese citizens: 24 to 36 months

• Naturalization by residence: 36 to 48 months

  
  

IRN has announced efforts to shorten these timelines, though the high volume of requests remains a challenge.

Why Do Timelines Vary So Much?

Between 2019 and 2025, Portugal received over 1.4 million applications for nationality—an increase of over 350%. In 2024 alone, over 500,000 requests awaited review. The exponential rise in demand overwhelmed the system.

Human resource shortages are another key factor. Despite digital improvements, much of the process still requires manual review by public officials.

Legal changes also contribute to delays. For example, the easing of criteria for grandchildren of Portuguese citizens in 2020 made access easier, but also increased the number of applications.

Changes Implemented in 2025

In 2025, Portugal introduced important changes to improve efficiency, including partial digitalization of the process, allowing applicants to submit and track their requests online via the IRN platform.

There were also updates to the criteria for grandchildren of Portuguese nationals, who must now prove effective ties with Portugal, including language proficiency and a clean criminal record.

Additionally, consular services were expanded, enabling more people to apply from abroad.

Paths to Obtain Portuguese Nationality

Other than time of residence, several paths exist:

By Acquisition:

• Minor children of parents who acquired Portuguese nationality;

• Foreign spouses or partners of Portuguese citizens (minimum 3 years);

• Foreign minors legally residing in Portugal for at least 5 years and enrolled in school;

• Citizens of Portuguese-speaking countries with Portuguese-born children;

• Children of Portuguese parents recognized before turning 18;

• Children of Portuguese parents recognized after 18 (with court validation);

• Children of foreigners born in Portugal if parents resided there for at least 5 years;

• Institutionalized children (per Child Protection Law);

• Those who lost Portuguese nationality but didn’t acquire another;

• Descendants of Sephardic Jews with Portuguese ties and at least 3 years of legal residence;

• Parents of Portuguese-born children, with at least 5 years of prior residence.

By Attribution (bloodline):

• Children of Portuguese citizens born abroad in state service;

• Children born abroad registered by a Portuguese parent;

• Children born in Portugal to foreign parents who’ve lived there legally for at least a year;

• Grandchildren (and sometimes great-grandchildren) of Portuguese citizens;

• Stateless individuals.

  
  

Applications can be denied for reasons like prison sentences over 3 years or national security concerns. Knowledge of Portuguese is required in most cases.

Tips to Speed Up the Citizenship Process

• Document Organization: Ensure all documents are up-to-date and properly apostilled.

• Process Monitoring: Use the IRN’s online platform to track your application and respond to requests quickly.

• Professional Guidance: Hiring a lawyer or consultant can help you avoid mistakes and delays.

• Portuguese Language: Proficiency can be proven through academic certification or a recognized language test.

• Act Promptly: If you meet current requirements, apply now to avoid being affected by future legal changes.

  
  

Portuguese nationality remains a valuable opportunity for immigrants seeking better prospects in Europe. However, current uncertainty and legislative proposals could soon make the process more difficult.

If the proposed increase to 10 years is approved, many applicants will face significant setbacks. That’s why those who already meet the criteria should not delay their applications.

Stay informed, be prepared, and seek professional support to maximize your chances of success.

Want to know more?📧 Email: danielle.adv.pt@gmail.com or daniellebretz-54504L@adv.oa.pt

Danielle Bretz

Lawyer

54504L