Portugal has approved a major overhaul of its Nationality Law, and foreign residents now face sharply longer waits before they can apply for citizenship. President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa promulgated the decree amending Law No. 37/81 on May 3, 2026.

The law is not yet in force. As of May 5, 2026, the government had not yet published the text in the Diário da República, Portugal's official gazette. Under the approved wording, the changes take effect on the day after publication. That gap matters for anyone who is already eligible, close to filing, or waiting on a pending nationality application.

The new residence requirements

The headline change is the naturalization timeline. Portugal has long allowed many legal residents to apply for citizenship after five years of residence. Under the approved framework, EU citizens and nationals of Portuguese-speaking countries — including Brazil and other CPLP states — would need seven years of residence. Most other foreign nationals would need 10 years.

The law also adds or clarifies integration requirements. Applicants must show knowledge of the Portuguese language, culture, history and national symbols, plus basic knowledge of rights and duties. They must also declare adherence to democratic rule-of-law principles.

A further change concerns how residence time is counted. The approved text revokes Article 15(4), a 2024 rule that let time count from the moment a temporary residence permit was requested, provided the permit was later approved. That provision mattered for applicants hit by long processing delays at Portuguese authorities. The President's statement stressed the importance of ensuring legal timelines for nationality are not harmed by state delays. The practical effect will depend on the final published law, updated regulations and administrative guidance.

Pending applications appear protected

For people who already have a nationality application pending, the decree includes a transition rule. Administrative procedures pending when the law enters into force continue under the previous version of the Nationality Law. In practical terms, someone who filed before the law starts applying should not automatically be moved onto the new seven- or 10-year timeline.

This is not a broad grandfathering rule for everyone living in Portugal. The wording covers pending administrative procedures only, not residents who simply expected to apply under the old five-year framework. For people who are already eligible but have not yet filed, timing may now be critical.

Impact on Golden Visa, D7 and digital nomad residents

The change does not end Portugal's Golden Visa programme, D7 visa, digital nomad visa or other residence routes. This is a nationality-law change, not a cancellation of residency pathways.

For Golden Visa investors, the practical shift lies in citizenship planning. Portugal remains attractive as a residence option with relatively low physical presence requirements, but the path to a passport may lengthen once the new law takes effect.

The same planning issue applies to D7, D8, work, study and family visa residents. People who expected to apply after five years of legal residence may need to reassess their timeline under a seven- or 10-year framework. Permanent residence after five years may also become a more important milestone, especially if citizenship is no longer available as quickly as expected.

What still has to happen

The next legal milestone is publication in the Diário da República. After publication, the Government must update Portugal's nationality regulation within 90 days. Those regulations and later administrative guidance will shape practical questions: how authorities handle pending cases, how residence time is counted, and how applicants affected by state delays are treated.

The President also referred to a separate decree that would amend the Penal Code and create an accessory penalty involving loss of nationality. That is distinct from the Nationality Law decree approved on May 3, and according to the Presidency it still awaits a Constitutional Court decision following a request for preventive constitutional review.

What residents should do now

Residents who already filed a citizenship application should keep proof of submission, payment and any official confirmation showing when their procedure became pending. Those already eligible but not yet filed should urgently seek case-specific advice before the law is published. People close to five years of residence should review their dates, documents and whether they can realistically file before the law enters into force. Those not yet eligible should update their long-term plan around the likely seven- or 10-year timeline while managing residence renewals and permanent residence eligibility.

The key point: Portugal's new citizenship law has passed a major political milestone, but the operative legal trigger remains publication in the Diário da República. Readers should follow the official gazette and the Presidency's announcements for confirmation of the entry-into-force date.