Portugal’s Parliament Votes to Extend Citizenship Timeline to 7–10 Years
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Portugal is preparing to increase the minimum residency period for citizenship from five years to between seven and ten years, depending on the applicant’s nationality. The updated rule is part of a broader reform of Portugal’s Nationality and Immigration Law and aims to align the country with European Union standards.
What Are the New Proposed Timelines?
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7 years → Citizens of Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP)
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10 years → All other foreign nationals and most Golden Visa residents
This means non-CPLP applicants could face double the current wait time before becoming eligible for a Portuguese passport.
Will the Rule Apply Retroactively?
The reform still requires final approval and official publication before it becomes law.
Legal experts say one major question remains:
Will the new requirement apply to current residents already counting toward citizenship — or only to newcomers?
As of now, clarity on retroactive impact is still pending.
Why Is Portugal Making This Change?
Portugal’s growing popularity as a residency-by-investment hub has brought international scrutiny and rising application volumes.
Government officials say the change aims to:
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Align with EU naturalization practices
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Ensure stronger integration before citizenship
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Manage the high demand created by Golden Visa programs
How Could This Affect Foreign Residents and Investors?
If implemented, the change may:
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Extend the citizenship path by several extra years
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Prompt residents close to eligibility to file faster
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Influence new investors evaluating Golden Visa programs
For many applicants, especially those relying on slow residence permit processing, the full pathway to naturalization could stretch close to 9–13 years, depending on administrative timelines.
Final Vote and Next Steps
Portugal’s Parliament has voted in favor of the measure.
However, it is not yet legally in force — the proposal must still:
1️⃣ Receive final approval in Parliament
2️⃣ Be reviewed by the President
3️⃣ Be officially published in the government gazette
Only then will the extended timeline take effect.
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