Portugal Citizenship Law: A Major Turning Point

The Portugal citizenship law is undergoing major changes as reforms are frozen. Compare old vs. new timelines with tables and understand how the suspension affects residents and investors.

The Portugal citizenship law is facing a decisive moment. A major reform approved by Parliament has been halted after the Socialist Party (PS) triggered a preventive constitutional review, freezing the law before it can take effect. This unexpected turn has left thousands of residents, investors, and migrants uncertain about their future citizenship eligibility.

Understanding the Proposed Changes to the Portugal Citizenship Law

The reform aimed to tighten the naturalization process and significantly extend the residency requirements for applicants.

Old vs. New Proposed Timelines (General Applicants)

Category	Current Portugal Citizenship Law	Proposed Reform
General applicants	5 years	10 years
EU citizens	5 years	7 years
CPLP nationals	5 years	7 years
Start of residency “clock”	Date of application submission	Date the residence permit is issued

These proposed changes would reshape the citizenship journey for nearly everyone living in Portugal.

Impact on Golden Visa Holders Under the Portugal Citizenship Law

Golden Visa investors are among the most affected by the reform due to processing delays and residence permit timelines.

Golden Visa Citizenship Timelines

Stage	Current Timeline	Proposed Timeline
Issuance of the first residence card	12–18 months	12–24 months
Required residency for citizenship	5 years	10 years
Total time from investment to citizenship	~6–7 years	~9–13 years

Under the new rules, the timeline could nearly double — especially harmful given the already slow processing system.

Why the Socialist Party Froze the Reform

The Socialist Party raised several constitutional concerns regarding the Portugal citizenship law reform:

• Lack of legal certainty

• Violation of equality principles

• Harm tothe legitimate expectations of migrants

• Risk of diachronic inequality — where similar applicants receive different treatment based on timing

By requesting a preventive constitutional review, PS triggered an automatic suspension. This prevents the President from signing the law and stops its publication entirely.

Current Status: What Still Applies in the Portugal Citizenship Law

Despite the political turmoil, the existing citizenship rules remain fully active:

Current Naturalization Framework (Still in Force)

Requirement	Current Rule
Residency requirement	5 years
Proof of ties to Portugal	Basic integration test
Language requirement	A2 Portuguese
Families and dependents	Standard reunification applies

Anyone currently eligible can continue applying under the existing 5-year rule.

Possible Outcomes From the Constitutional Court

The fate of the Portugal citizenship law reform will depend on how the Constitutional Court rules.

Potential Outcomes Table

Outcome	Meaning	Impact on Applicants
Fully unconstitutional	Reform violates the Constitution	The current 5-year law stays permanently
Fully approved	Reform considered valid	New 7–10 year timelines will be implemented
Partially approved	Only some articles must change	Mixed adjustments and possible new deadlines

Until the Court decides, nothing changes for applicants.

Broader Implications for Residents and Investors

The debate around the Portugal citizenship law reflects a deeper national conversation about:

• Integration and belonging

• Economic contributions from migrants

• Fairness and equality across different residency categories

• Predictability of long-term legal status

  
  

Many argue the reform could damage Portugal’s reputation as an open, welcoming country, especially for foreign professionals, digital nomads, and investors who choose Portugal as their long-term home.

Conclusion

The Portugal citizenship law has reached a critical turning point. While the reform promised dramatic changes, including a move from a 5-year to a 10-year naturalization period, the Socialist Party’s intervention has paused everything. With the Constitutional Court now involved, Portugal stands at a crossroads.

For now, the original 5-year rule remains in effect, giving current and future applicants a window of stability while the country awaits the Court’s final decision.