LISBON – The fate of thousands of immigrants in Portugal hangs in the balance as the Citizenship Law amendment nears its final stage. Approved by Parliament on April 1st, 2026, the bill increases the residency requirement for citizenship from 5 to 10 years. It is currently awaiting the signature of President António José Seguro, with a decision expected by mid-May.
1. Doubling the Path to Citizenship The new regulation fundamentally shifts Portugal’s image from being one of the most accessible EU countries for citizenship:
- The 10-Year Requirement: For most non-EU nationals, the period has doubled to 10 years (7 years for EU citizens and CPLP nationals).
- New Calculation Method: The clock now starts from the issue date of the first residence card, not the application date, adding significant waiting time due to bureaucratic delays.
2. Critical Timeline: Mid-May President Seguro has three options:
- Signature: If signed by mid-May and published in the Official Gazette (Diário da República), it takes effect immediately.
- Political Veto: The President could return the bill to Parliament if he deems it unfairly penalizing. This would delay the process by several months.
- Constitutional Review: He may send the bill to the Constitutional Court for scrutiny.
3. The “Acquired Rights” Legal Battle The biggest uncertainty lies with those already living in Portugal and approaching their 5-year mark. While the Constitutional Court suggested protecting existing applicants in late 2025, the Parliament’s final text lacks a clear transition period. Experts predict a wave of lawsuits if the law is enacted without protecting current residents.
4. Border Alerts (EES) and Tax Deadlines
- EES System: The new biometric border system is live. Note that “administrative extensions” for expired cards are only valid within Portugal. Do not risk international travel via other Schengen countries (like Germany or France) with expired documents.
- IRS Tax Filings: The deadline for 2025 income is June 30th. Ensure Annex J is filed for any foreign income, as Finanças has increased global oversight.
