The long-awaited Portugal Nationality Law Reform of 2025 has been delayed once more, after the Socialist Party (PS) and far-right party Chega introduced last-minute changes. The two parties submitted proposals with new naturalization targets and, in Chega’s case, contentious denaturalization provisions.
The passing of former Prime Minister Francisco Pinto Balsemão has halted parliamentary proceedings, leaving the final vote uncertain and further delaying a months-long legislative process that interests thousands of residence permit holders and Golden Visa investors. For comparison, similar policy changes are taking shape across Europe, such as the recent UK Botswana visa amendment, highlighting a continent-wide tightening of migration systems.
A Last-Minute Delay in the Portugal Nationality Law Reform Debate
Parliament had initially intended to pass the draft Portugal Nationality Law Reform 2025 last week. Two last-minute amendments, however, derailed the timetable.
The Socialist Party (PS) submitted its full amendment at 09:18 on Tuesday morning, introducing several new provisions and transitional safeguards. Chega, meanwhile, sent its draft by email late Monday night, primarily seeking to add the power to revoke Portuguese nationality in certain criminal cases.
Because the new text unexpectedly became available for the law, the Constitutional Affairs, Rights, Freedoms, and Guarantees Committee (CACDLG) voted to put the vote off until Thursday so that time could be made for a thorough constitutional and legal review. This intention was, however, promptly dashed when the parliament proceedings were unexpectedly suspended for two days after the passing of previous Prime Minister Francisco Pinto Balsemão.
Lawmakers have yet to set a date, leaving the fate of the Portugal Nationality Law Reform uncertain. The delay frustrates political analysts and thousands of investors and residents eager to know when they can gain citizenship.
The Socialist Party’s Amendment to the Portugal Nationality Law Reform – Longer Residence Periods but Transitional Safeguard
The Socialist Party proposal balances tighter naturalization criteria with protection for those already in process. It sets different residence timeframes by nationality and retains “grandfathering” provisions for applicants who began their residence under existing rules.
Six-Year and Eight-Year Naturalization Tracks
Under the PS proposal, EU and CPLP nationals can obtain Portuguese citizenship after six years of residence, while other foreign nationals must complete eight.
This represents a significant jump from the previous versions, which had presented five and seven years, respectively. The Socialist Party contends that the amendments bring Portugal’s nationality regime closer to wider European standards without losing linguistic and regional affinities with the Lusophone world.
The new reforms under the Portugal Nationality Law Reform will begin on January 1, 2026, if they pass. This provides the government and applicants with enough time to adjust to the new system.
Grandfathering for Golden Visa Holders and Existing Residents
Arguably the most significant feature of the PS amendment is its comprehensive transitional protection for existing Golden Visa investors, residence permit holders, and those already in the process of obtaining citizenship.
Article 5, Section 2 states that applicants who file for citizenship by June 30, 2026, under the current nationality law, will remain subject to the existing five-year residence requirement. This basically gives a one-sixth grandfathering period after the effective date of the law.
Article 5, Section 3 also protects residence permit holders, counting their prior residence toward naturalization if they apply by December 31, 2027.
This provision allows Golden Visa investors and other permanent residents to pursue citizenship without losing eligibility because of administrative or legislative delays.
In 2024, Portugal issued 4,987 Golden Visas, a growth of 72% over 2023, to prove the popularity among investors. For these applicants, transitional protection under the Portugal Nationality Law Reform is not just legal it is economic and strategic survival.
Protection of Applicants from Administrative Delays
Administrative backlogs have long besmirched Portugal’s residence and naturalization regimes. The Socialist Party amendment within the Portugal Nationality Law Reform recognizes this issue and retains Article 15, Section 4 as essential protection against administrative delays.
Such residence time continues to accrue notwithstanding non-timely action by the AIMA (or predecessor SEF) on residence permits in the authorized time frames. Once the permit is issued, authorities count the waiting period toward the required years of residence.
Lawmakers widely praised this provision in earlier drafts of the nationality reform because it stops state inefficiency from penalizing applicants who followed the law in full.
In practice, if an applicant submits a residence renewal and the process takes months to complete as often happens that time still counts toward their citizenship eligibility.
Transitional Naturalization and Restored Rights
The PS amendment to the 2025 Portugal Nationality Law Reform introduces Article 5-A, a transitional clause that restores nationality rights and offers citizenship in specific historical or humanitarian cases.
Children of Foreign Residents Born in Portugal
Article 5-A allows children born in Portugal to legally resident foreign parents to gain nationality after five years of residence, if they apply by December 31, 2026.
This measure reinforces Portugal’s historic jus soli (birthright) principle by recognizing long-settled families within the country.
Restoration for Those Who Lost Nationality After 1974
The amendment also addresses earlier cases under Decree-Law No. 308-A/75, where some residents lost Portuguese citizenship after the Carnation Revolution due to insufficient residence periods. Article 5-A allows them and their Portugal-born children to apply for naturalization under simplified rules.
This reform reflects Portugal’s intent to correct past injustices and promote a more inclusive nationality policy under the current Portugal Nationality Law Reform.
Tougher Eligibility – Lower Criminal Thresholds
The second significant aspect of the Socialist Party amendment is making criminal eligibility standards tougher.
The new regulation bars applicants convicted of crimes carrying prison sentences of two years or more under Portuguese law. The previous threshold was higher, marking a significant tightening of eligibility.
The government’s aim is to strengthen the prestige of the Portuguese passport one of the world’s most respected and ensure that applicants demonstrate good moral character.
While right-wing parties welcomed the proposal, critics argue it could unfairly impact individuals previously convicted of minor offenses long before submitting their citizenship applications.
Chega’s Proposal in the Portugal Nationality Law Reform – Stripping Citizenship for Serious Crimes
While the Socialist Party’s proposal focuses on administrative reform and transitional measures, Chega’s version of the Portugal Nationality Law Reform is more punitive and nationalist, calling for the revocation of Portuguese citizenship following conviction for serious crimes.
Insertion of Article 69-D – Loss of Nationality
Chega’s proposed Article 69-D allows courts to revoke the Portuguese nationality of dual citizens convicted of serious crimes.
The proposal targets individuals sentenced to at least three years in prison for crimes such as homicide, terrorism, sexual assault, organized crime, or drug and arms trafficking. However, it limits this power to offenses committed within 20 years of naturalization and excludes politically motivated convictions.
Conditions for Revocation
To impose revocation, courts must assess the offender’s integration, length of residence, adherence to national values, and connection to Portuguese society.
Individuals who lost Portuguese citizenship may reapply after ten years, but only if their criminal record has been cleared.
This bill has ignited fierce controversy. Its supporters argue that it maintains the dignity of Portuguese nationality and deters serious offenders from abusing naturalization. Its opponents predict that it will inevitably contravene constitutional and international human rights norms, since it will lead to de facto statelessness for certain individuals.
Legal Review and Political Deadlock
The Constitutional Affairs, Rights, Freedoms, and Guarantees Committee (CACDLG) in charge of Portugal Nationality Law Reform could not incorporate the proposals laid down at short notice within the rolled-up draft in time for Wednesday’s plenary debate.
The Portuguese parliament’s rules require a full review of a bill’s legality and constitutionality before it proceeds to a vote. The President of the Assembly, therefore, adjourned debate and vote to Thursday.
But by the two-day parliament adjournment in honor of former Prime Minister Balsemão, the session was once again interrupted.
A series of delays has left the reform timeline highly uncertain. Parliament now has only 11 weeks to debate, amend, and approve the bill for presidential promulgation if it is to take effect on January 1, 2026.
Adding to the uncertainty is the upcoming State Budget debate, which often overshadows other legislative discussions in the year’s final quarter.
Implications for Golden Visa Investors and Residents of Long Stay
Foreign investors, immigration lawyers, and residence permit holders are closely monitoring the ongoing delays and evolving drafts of the Portugal Nationality Law Reform 2025.
Golden Visa holders now question whether their existing five-year path to citizenship will remain intact.
The Socialist Party amendment explicitly guarantees that applicants already qualified under current rules can continue applying until June 30, 2026.
For thousands of pending AIMO applicants typically taking over 18 months to conclude it is a critical protection against administrative incompetence undercutting years of residence.
Compare this with applicants applying after 2026, who will endure longer residence periods, increased checking of criminal records, and the threat of further detailed checks on admissibility.
Broader Context – How the Portugal Nationality Law Reform Balances Integration and Security
The controversy surrounding reforming Portugal Nationality Law is symptomatic of a deeper tension within the European Union between integration policy and border security in priority.
Portugal traditionally has had one of Europe’s most liberal systems of citizenship, particularly for individuals residing in Portuguese-speaking countries. But increased migration flows, internal political tensions, and bureaucratic inefficiency have induced policymakers to close the door to easier access.
The Socialist Party amendment draft is a sensible effort to remain open but bringing more procedural rigor and harmonization with the rest of the EU. The more radical Chega amendment, however, is the populism and security-oriented rhetoric opening its wings all over Europe.
The resulting political impasse shows how citizenship, once an administrative matter, has become a powerful symbol of national identity, social cohesion, and sovereignty.
What Happens Next in the Portugal Nationality Law Reform Process
Portugal Nationality Law Reform 2025 is now at stake pending the timing of the next parliamentary sitting.
If debate can commence almost as soon as the period of mourning, there is still a prospect albeit narrow of approval before year end. If the process extends into December, the reform will likely be delayed until 2026, once again leaving applicants in limbo.
Witnesses note that, to meet the January 1, 2026 start date, the final law must appear in the Official Gazette (Diário da República) by early December. Any further slippage in committee scrutiny makes it challenging to meet this schedule.
Conclusion – Reform Delayed but Not Dismissed
The fate of the Portugal Nationality Law Reform remains among the most significant legislative bills in the last few years, with a direct impact on thousands of foreign residents, investors, and families.
While the Socialist Party tries to update the system with longer residence periods and increased administrative transparency, Chega’s initiative to introduce revocation powers underscores the ideological dividing line that defines Portugal’s immigration and citizenship agenda.
For now, the delay in voting adds another page to an already long process. It remains to be seen whether legislators can reconcile competing priorities by year’s end. One thing is certain the outcome will redefine Portuguese citizenship for decades to come.
FAQ: Portugal Nationality Law Reform 2025
Q1: The vote on the nationality law reform was delayed. Why?
The vote was postponed after the Socialist Party and Chega submitted their amendments too late for review. Parliamentary proceedings then paused for two days following the death of former Prime Minister Francisco Pinto Balsemão.
Q2: What are the new residence requirements for citizenship?
Under the Socialist Party plan, EU and Portuguese-speaking nationals need six years of residence, while others must complete eight.
Q3: Will existing holders of the Golden Visa lose their right?
No. Current Golden Visa holders are protected under transitional rules, allowing them to apply under the existing five-year qualification if they submit their application by June 30, 2026.
Q4: How does the reform safeguard applicants from administrative slowness?
The reform maintains Article 15, Section 4, so delays in residence renewals still count toward the citizenship requirement.
Q5: What does Chega’s solution establish?
Chega proposes adding Article 69-D, allowing Portuguese courts to revoke dual citizenship if the person is convicted of a serious offense within 20 years of naturalization.
Q6: When can the new law come into effect?
If passed on time, the new Portugal Nationality Law Reform will take effect on January 1, 2026. Parliament must complete its discussions and finalize the legislation before the end of 2025.
