Portugal 10-Year Citizenship Rule 2026
In one paragraph: Since 19 May 2026, naturalisation in Portugal requires 7 years of legal residence for nationals of Portuguese-speaking countries and EU citizens, and 10 years for everyone else, up from the previous five. Applications already pending on that date stay under the old rules. New applicants must also show knowledge of Portuguese language, culture, history and national symbols, and formally declare adherence to the principles of the democratic rule of law.
This article is based on the text of Lei Orgânica n.º 1/2026, de 18 de maio, published in the Diário da República, and on the Ministry of Justice's service page. Where only law-firm commentary supports a point, we say so. This is general information, not legal advice. If you already live in Portugal on a D7, D8, D2, Golden Visa or another permit, read the sections on timing and the checklist carefully, and see our related guide to the Portugal D7 visa bank statement requirements.
Key dates: how the law came into force
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1 April 2026 | Parliament approved the revised text (152 votes for, 64 against, 1 abstention), after the Constitutional Court struck down provisions of an earlier version in December 2025. |
| 3 May 2026 | The President promulgated the law (the official text records this date). |
| 18 May 2026 | Published in the Diário da República, 1st series, no. 95. |
| 19 May 2026 | Entered into force the day after publication (Article 8 of the law). |
| 16 August 2026 | Deadline for the Government to amend the Nationality Regulation (90 days from publication, Article 4). |
What changed in the naturalisation rules
Article 6(1) of the amended Nationality Law lists requirements that must all be met at the time of the application:
- Adult under Portuguese law.
- Legal residence for at least 7 years (nationals of Portuguese-speaking countries and EU member states) or 10 years (nationals of other countries).
- Proof, by test or certificate, of sufficient knowledge of the Portuguese language and culture, history and national symbols.
- Sufficient knowledge of the fundamental rights and duties of Portuguese nationality and of the political organisation of the Portuguese State.
- A solemn declaration of adherence to the fundamental principles of the democratic rule of law.
- No final conviction to an effective prison sentence of more than 3 years for specified crimes: terrorism, violent and especially violent crime, highly organised crime, crimes against State security or aiding illegal immigration.
- No danger or threat to national security or defence.
- Not subject to restrictive measures adopted by the UN or the EU.
- Ability to support yourself (capacity to ensure your own subsistence).
The criminal-record rule in the official text is narrower than some summaries suggest: it refers to an effective sentence of more than three years for the listed categories of crime, and the Public Prosecutor assesses it as a rebuttable presumption, weighing factors such as the sentence, the type and nature of the crime, time elapsed and evidence of genuine integration (Article 6(14)).
Before vs after: quick comparison
| Topic | Before 19 May 2026 | From 19 May 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Residence for naturalisation | 5 years (as reported by law-firm commentary) | 7 years (Portuguese-speaking countries, EU) or 10 years (others) |
| Integration | Language requirement | Language plus culture, history, national symbols, rights and duties, and a declaration of adherence to democratic principles |
| Children born in Portugal to foreign parents | Lower parental residence threshold (commentary: 1 year) | At least one parent legally resident for 5 years at the time of birth, plus a declaration (Article 1(1)(f)) |
| Biometrics | — | Facial image, fingerprints and height collected for identity checks (Article 12-C) |
Who is affected, and who is not
If you filed before 19 May 2026
Article 7(2) says procedures pending on the date of entry into force are governed by the previous version of the Nationality Law. Law-firm commentary reads this as applications filed on or before 18 May 2026 following the old five-year regime. Keep your proof of filing, such as the submission receipt and any reference number, in more than one place.
If you file on or after 19 May 2026
The new 7- or 10-year rule applies. Even if you completed five years of residence, you may still need to wait if you had not filed before the cut-off date.
How residence time is counted
Article 15(3) adds together all periods of legal residence, consecutive or interrupted, as long as they fall within a maximum window of 6 years (stateless persons), 9 years (nationals of Portuguese-speaking countries and EU member states) or 12 years (other nationals). Article 15(1) defines legal residence as holding any title, visa or authorisation under the foreigners and asylum regimes. Article 15(4) was repealed; legal commentary reports that residence is now counted from the date the first residence permit is issued, not from the date of application. Confirm how your own time will be counted with the IRN or a lawyer.
Residence-permit holders (Golden Visa, D7, D8, D2 and others)
The law changes the Nationality Law, not the residence-permit regimes. Sovereign Group notes that for holders of Golden Visa, D7, D2 or D8 permits the timeline for naturalisation is longer and the integration requirements stricter. In practice, residence remains available, but a path to a Portuguese passport now takes longer.
Citizens of Portuguese-speaking countries
Article 6(10) presumes that nationals of Portuguese-speaking countries meet the language requirement unless a clear lack of Portuguese is shown to the authorities. They still face the 7-year residence period and the other conditions.
Illustrative scenarios
Disclaimer: These simplified examples only point to the rules described above and are for illustration. They are not a prediction or assessment of any person's situation. They are not legal advice and do not predict the outcome of any application. Real cases depend on your exact permits, dates and documents, and the authorities decide each application individually.
| Situation | What the cited rule says |
|---|---|
| A non-EU, non-Portuguese-speaking national with 5 years of residence who filed before 19 May 2026 | Article 7(2): procedures pending on 19 May 2026 continue under the previous version of the law. Whether a specific file counts as pending is for the authorities to decide. |
| The same person, with 5 years of residence, who had not filed by that date | The 10-year period in Article 6(1)(b) applies to applications filed from 19 May 2026. |
| An EU citizen with 7 years of legal residence, all within a 9-year period | The 7-year period and the 9-year window in Article 15(3) are the relevant rules. The other Article 6(1) requirements still apply. |
| A national of a Portuguese-speaking country with 7 years of residence | The 7-year period applies. Article 6(10) presumes the language requirement is met unless a clear lack of Portuguese is shown. |
| A non-EU national whose legal residence is spread over more than 12 years with gaps | Article 15(3) adds up periods of legal residence only within the maximum window (12 years for this category). |
Children, spouses and descendants
- Children born in Portugal: Article 1(1)(f) grants nationality at birth on declaration if at least one parent had been legally resident for 5 years at the time of birth. Article 6(2) covers minors born in Portugal who apply later: one parent with 5 years of legal residence and regular attendance at compulsory schooling, where applicable.
- Marriage and de facto unions: Article 3 keeps a three-year marriage (or de facto union) threshold. A de facto union requires a court recognition decision, and the applicant must not fall under the exclusions in Article 6(1)(f)–(h).
- Descendants: Article 6(8) lets the Government waive the 7/10-year requirement for third-degree descendants in the direct line of original Portuguese nationals who have 5 years of legal residence. Article 1(1)(d) covers grandchildren of originally Portuguese nationals who declare their wish to be Portuguese and have effective ties to the national community.
- Sephardic route: Article 6(7), which previously contained a special regime, is among the provisions repealed by Article 5. Commentators report that this closes the Sephardic descendants route; check with the IRN if you were relying on it.
What is still unclear
Article 4 required the Government to amend the Nationality Regulation (Decreto-Lei n.º 237-A/2006) within 90 days of publication, which fell on 16 August 2026. The Ministry of Justice's service page said that some changes depend on this complementary regulation to set the rules for applying them. Until the regulation is in force, details such as the format of the broader culture and civics test may be defined by it. We could not confirm from official sources that the amended regulation has been published, so check the Diário da República and the IRN website before you file. Law-firm commentary notes that, in the meantime, documentary proof may carry more weight than any single new test.
How to apply
According to the Ministry of Justice, if you have a lawyer or solicitador, the request must be submitted online through the Nationality Online service. If you do not have a representative, you can send the request by post or submit it at a Nationality Desk (Balcão da Nacionalidade) yourself. Costs depend on the type of application and are set in the emoluments regulation published by the IRN. The Ministry's page notes that some content is being updated, so always confirm the current form and fee before paying.
Practical checklist: what to do now
- Check your date. Did you file before 19 May 2026? Find your proof of submission.
- Work out your category. Are you a national of a Portuguese-speaking country or an EU member state (7 years), or another nationality (10 years)?
- Collect your residence record. Keep every permit, renewal and receipt so periods can be added together under Article 15(3).
- Prepare language and civics. Start Portuguese language certification and study Portuguese history, symbols, rights and duties while the final test rules are clarified.
- Gather criminal records. Article 6(11) refers to certificates from Portuguese authorities and from the countries of birth, nationality and residence after criminal responsibility age.
- Show means of support. Be ready to prove your capacity to support yourself.
- Speak to a qualified lawyer if you are close to a cut-off or hold an unusual permit.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Assuming the old five-year rule still applies when you have not filed before 19 May 2026.
- Counting time from the wrong date. Check which date your residence is counted from and keep your first permit's issue date.
- Letting permits lapse. Gaps in legal residence can affect what counts, so renew on time.
- Relying on summaries alone. Use the official text and ask the IRN or a lawyer about anything that affects your case.
- Waiting for the regulation to start preparing. Documents and language study take time whatever the final test format is.
Is Portugal still worth it?
Portugal remains attractive as a place to live: the law does not abolish residence permits, and the residence-by-investment, D7 and D8 routes still exist. What changed is the length and difficulty of the final step. If a Portuguese or EU passport within five years was central to your plan, compare other pathways. If your priority is lifestyle, healthcare and access to the EU as a resident, the decision may be unchanged. This is a general observation, not a recommendation: the right choice depends on your own circumstances.
Frequently asked questions
When did Portugal's new nationality law take effect?
Organic Law 1/2026 was published on 18 May 2026 and entered into force the next day, 19 May 2026.
How many years of residence are needed for Portuguese citizenship now?
Seven years for nationals of Portuguese-speaking countries and EU citizens, and ten years for nationals of other countries (Article 6(1)(b)).
Does the new law apply if I applied before 19 May 2026?
No. Under Article 7, procedures pending on that date continue under the previous version of the law.
How is the residence period counted?
Article 15(3) adds all periods of legal residence, consecutive or not, within a maximum window of 9 years (7-year category) or 12 years (10-year category).
Does the law change Portuguese residence permits or visas?
It amends the Nationality Law, not the permit regimes. What changes is how long and under what conditions residents wait before they can naturalise.
Legal disclaimer: This article is general information only. It is not legal, immigration or professional advice, and reading it does not create a lawyer-client or any other professional relationship. It reflects our understanding of the sources listed below as of October 14, 2026. Nationality law and its regulations can change, different readings of the same provision are possible, and we do not guarantee that the content is complete, accurate or up to date. Points attributed to law-firm commentary are the views of those authors, not official rules. We are not responsible for decisions taken or losses suffered because of this article, or for the content of external websites. Before filing an application or making decisions about residence or citizenship, check the official sources below and, for questions about your own case, consult a qualified Portuguese lawyer or solicitador. For questions about procedure, you can also contact the IRN or a Nationality Desk (Balcão da Nacionalidade).
Sources and further reading
- Official: Lei Orgânica n.º 1/2026, de 18 de maio – Diário da República (full text, including the republished Lei n.º 37/81)
- Official: Justiça.gov.pt – Submit a nationality request
- Official: Justiça.gov.pt – Guide: How to obtain Portuguese nationality
- Official: Instituto dos Registos e do Notariado (IRN)
- Commentary: Sovereign Group – Portugal brings new Nationality Law into force
- Commentary: MCS – Portuguese citizenship requirements 2026 and the regulation still to come
- Commentary: Clark Hill – Portugal: key changes to the Nationality Law
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