Delays in Portuguese nationality: an old problem, a current impact and a petition that is gaining momentum
The delay in granting Portuguese nationality is nothing new. Since 2022, the Portuguese press has been warning that the processes were exceeding all legal deadlines. Three years later, the scenario has not changed — and, given the lack of responses, a collective mobilization has emerged.
A petition, authored by legal experts Isabel Comte, João Roseira and Renato Martins, is collecting signatures online on the Portuguese Parliament's website. The document demands that the government monitor the Institute of Registries and Notaries (IRN) and the registry offices responsible for the processes, and that punitive measures be applied in the event of failure to comply with deadlines.
In practice, while the Code of Administrative Procedure requires a response within 90 days, the IRN website itself informs that the deadline can be as long as 29 months — and, in thousands of cases, this limit has already been exceeded.
The petition also received attention in the Diário de Notícias, increasing pressure on the government to promote structural reforms and solve a problem that affects thousands of families around the world. Read the full article on here.
Martins Castro continues to lead this initiative, reinforcing its commitment to defending the rights of those seeking Portuguese nationality. If you want to keep up with the latest updates, understand your rights and accelerate your path to citizenship, count on our specialized team.
Click here to sign the petition
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