Amendments to the Portuguese Nationality Law: What changes under Organic Law no. 1/2026

In force since May 19, 2026, the new statute strengthens the legal requirements relating to integration, suitability and effective connection to the national community, with direct implications for naturalisation applications, acquisition of original nationality and pending administrative proceedings.

1. Strengthening of naturalisation requirements

Among the most significant amendments is the extension of the minimum period of lawful residence required for naturalisation purposes. Under the new regime, applicants who are nationals of Portuguese-speaking countries (CPLP) and citizens of the European Union must now demonstrate seven years of lawful residence in Portugal, whereas nationals of other States are required to complete 10 years of lawful residence.

Requirements concerning knowledge of Portuguese society have also been reinforced. Applicants must demonstrate sufficient proficiency in the Portuguese language, as well as adequate knowledge of Portuguese culture, history and national symbols. The law further requires familiarity with the fundamental rights and duties inherent to Portuguese citizenship and with the political and constitutional organisation of the Portuguese State.

The acquisition of nationality is now additionally subject to the submission of a solemn declaration of adherence to the fundamental principles of the democratic rule of law, thereby reinforcing the formal commitment to Portuguese constitutional values.

2. Security, suitability and means of subsistence

The new legislation introduces stricter standards concerning security and personal suitability. Individuals sentenced to an effective prison term exceeding three years for terrorism-related offences, violent crime, offences against State security or facilitating illegal immigration are barred from acquiring Portuguese nationality. The exclusion also applies to people deemed to constitute a threat to national security or defence, as well as individuals subject to restrictive measures adopted by the United Nations or the European Union.

Another significant innovation is the requirement that applicants demonstrate sufficient means of subsistence, evidencing adequate financial resources to ensure their economic self-sufficiency.

3. Original nationality and recognition of special ties to Portugal

Children born in Portugal to foreign parents may continue to acquire Portuguese original nationality, although subject to more stringent requirements. It is now necessary for one parent to have been lawfully resident in Portugal for at least five years at the date of birth and not to be serving the respective foreign State.

Regarding minors, the law additionally requires, where applicable, enrolment and regular attendance in compulsory education, as well as compliance with the requirements relating to security and criminality whenever the minor has reached the age of criminal responsibility.

The revised legal framework also places greater emphasis on special ties to Portugal by allowing the government to grant nationality to third-degree direct descendants of Portuguese nationals by origin who have lawfully resided in Portugal for at least five years. Furthermore, the law establishes the possibility of waiving certain requirements for foreign nationals who have rendered, or are called upon to render, services of recognised relevance to the Portuguese State.

4. Procedural amendments and transitional regime

From a procedural standpoint, applicants are now subject to the collection of biometric data, including facial image, fingerprints and height, thereby reinforcing identity verification and control mechanisms. In addition, declarations made before Portuguese consular authorities are now subject to the applicant’s mandatory physical presence.

The law further establishes a nationality consolidation regime, according to which the good-faith holding of Portuguese nationality for at least 10 years definitively consolidates such legal status. This protection does not apply, however, where nationality has been obtained fraudulently.

Lastly, particular attention should be given to the transitional provision establishing that pending administrative proceedings remain governed by the previous wording of the Nationality Law, thus excluding the automatic application of the new regime to ongoing cases.

In practical terms, the reform represents a far-reaching legislative change with significant impact on foreign nationals, emigrant communities and professionals involved in nationality matters.

Read Dr Eduardo Serra Jorge’s last month’s article: Condominiums: rights, duties and good administration — what the law says