Portugal announces proposal to change Nationality Law and Foreigner Law
The Portuguese government presented, at a meeting of the Council of Ministers, proposals to change the Nationality Law and the Foreigners Law. According to legal expert Isabel Comte, from Martins Castro, the measures do not yet have legal effect since the content needs to be transformed into a bill, approved by Parliament and sanctioned by the President of the Republic. In the meantime, the current rules remain valid.
Check out the main points of the proposals:
- End of the Sephardic regime: naturalization by descent from Sephardic Jews would be terminated.
- Expansion of citizenship by ancestry: would include great-grandchildren of Portuguese people in the right to nationality.
- Minimum residence time increased:
- 7 years for CPLP citizens
- 10 years for foreigners from other countries
- New naturalization criteria:
- Mandatory Portuguese language test
- Assessment of the country's culture, history and political system
- Declaration of adherence to democratic values
- Possibility of loss of nationality: for those sentenced to more than 5 years in prison.
The proposals have not yet become law, but it is important to act soon
If you are eligible for Portuguese nationality, the best time to act is now. Avoid being impacted by possible changes: click here and request your free analysis with Martins Castro.
Has the new Nationality Law proposal been approved? Isabel Comte clarifies what is actually in force
In an exclusive interview, jurist Isabel Comte — a master in Law and specialist in Portuguese nationality — answers the main […]
Per Marketing Martins Castro
on July 1, 2025
Transmission of Nationality: what changes with the new proposal from the Portuguese government?
By Isabel Comte In recent weeks, the proposed amendment to the Nationality Law — Bill No. 1/XVII/1st […]
Per Marketing Martins Castro
on July 1, 2025
Martins Castro event in Monterrey highlights routes to Portuguese nationality
Martins Castro successfully held another edition of the event Paths to Portuguese Nationality, this time in Monterrey. […]
Per Marketing Martins Castro
on July 1, 2025