⚖️ Final Approval: Parliament Confirms Drastic Changes to Portuguese Immigration and Nationality

The Portuguese Parliament today gave final approval to the package of legislative reforms, confirming the proposals presented by the Council of Ministers in June. These laws, which will come into force after their promulgation and publication in the Official Gazette, mark the end of historical flexibility in Portugal and establish stricter rules for obtaining citizenship and residency.

This approval signals a fundamental shift in immigration policy, focusing on a “genuine, robust, and lasting link” for naturalization and tightening entry and residency requirements.

• The Path to Citizenship Gets Longer:

  • The new Nationality Law will require a longer residency period (expected to increase from 5 to 7 or even 10 years, depending on the status).
  • New tests of the Portuguese language, culture, and civics will be introduced to demonstrate a strong connection to the country.
  • The naturalization path for Sephardic Jewish descent will be terminated.
  • Individuals who qualify under the current rules (5 years of residency, etc.) should proceed with their applications immediately to avoid the new, longer deadlines.

• Tighter Rules for Residency and Family Reunification:

  • Family Reunification: The legal resident will have to meet a general requirement of 2 years of legal residency in Portugal before being able to sponsor the arrival of family members, with limited exceptions (such as minor children). Furthermore, adult relatives must apply abroad, ending the possibility for many to change their status in-country.
  • Job Seeker Visas: The generic Job Seeker Visa is eliminated. It will be replaced by a more restricted Highly Qualified Job Seeker Visa, meaning that for most people, a pre-arranged job offer will be necessary to move to Portugal.

• End of CPLP Flexibility at the Border:

  • Citizens of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) must now obtain an appropriate residence visa at a Portuguese consulate before traveling. The ability to enter without a visa (as a tourist) and regularize residency status upon arrival ends.

Although these laws still await final promulgation and formal publication, their parliamentary approval means that the foreign community must now urgently adjust their plans. The era of easy immigration is ending, being replaced by a system that prioritizes qualification and a more rigorous path to legal residency.