Exciting Changes in Portuguese Nationality Law

 

I'm thrilled to share some fantastic news. It's sure to interest anyone on the path to Portuguese residency. This is especially true if you're navigating the D visas like the D7 or the ever-popular Golden Visa. Let's dive into these exciting updates!

Recently, Portugal's Parliament made a significant change to the nationality law, specifically Article 15, now incorporating paragraph 4. This update is a game-changer for anyone working towards Portuguese nationality. Here's why: the waiting period for your residency application often felt like an endless bottleneck. Now, it will count towards the mandatory five-year residency period required for nationality applications.

The Portuguese Nationality Law has undergone significant changes in recent years. One of the most notable changes is that the five-year residency period required for obtaining Portuguese citizenship now begins when you submit your application for a residence permit, rather than when the permit is issued¹.

Key Changes:

Faster Eligibility: The residency clock starts sooner, potentially shortening the path to citizenship.
Clearer Timeframe: The start date of the five-year period is now clearly defined, allowing for more precise planning.
Proactive Approach: Applicants can begin preparing for the naturalization process while their residence permit application is under review.
Streamlined Paternity Recognition: Individuals who establish paternity after the age of 18 can now claim Portuguese citizenship based on parentage through a simplified process.
Sephardic Citizenship: Descendants of Portuguese Sephardic Jews must now have legally resided in Portugal for at least three years to apply for citizenship.
Electronic Processing: Nationality cases can now be processed fully by electronic means, and applicants can consult their files online ².

These changes aim to streamline the naturalization process, reduce delays, and provide clearer guidelines for applicants. For the most up-to-date information, you can consult the official Portuguese government websites or contact the relevant authorities.

You can find more information about the recent changes to Portugal's nationality law by visiting the following official websites:

• Portuguese Parliament (Assembleia da República)
• Portuguese Government (Governo de Portugal)
• Portuguese Immigration and Borders Service (Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras)

These resources will offer detailed insights and official documentation regarding the modifications to the nationality law and related processes.

Let's break it down with a couple of examples:

- If you applied for a Portuguese Golden Visa or D7 residency in December 2021 and are still waiting, your waiting period now counts. This means you could be applying for nationality as soon as December 2026.

- If you applied in March 2019 and faced an 18-month wait, you're on track to apply for nationality by March 2024.

This change is particularly beneficial for Golden Visa holders, offering one of the fastest routes to European residency, and now, a quicker path to Portuguese citizenship.

At Global Citizen Solutions, we understand how vital these updates are for you. We are here to guide you through this new chapter, whether you're exploring the Golden Visa, a D7, or any other residency option in Portugal. For more detailed information and personalized guidance, visit our website, Global Citizen Solutions.com, or get in touch with us. We are committed to helping you navigate this journey to becoming a global citizen with ease