What are the main changes?
1. To obtain a naturalization passport, you will need to live in the country for 10 years, for citizens of the EU and Portuguese-speaking countries for 7 years.
Previously, this period was 5 years. Those whose citizenship applications are already under consideration are not subject to the new rules. However, holders of a residence permit who have not yet applied for citizenship, but planned to do so after five years in accordance with the old conditions, will now have to be guided by the new law.
2. The required time period begins only after the authorities issue a residence permit, and not from the moment of applying for it.
Legal experts say that it usually takes two to three years for authorities to issue a residence permit to foreigners, so for most, naturalization will actually take about 9-13 years, unless the process of obtaining a residence permit accelerates.
3. A new rule for calculating the length of stay: all periods of legal residence for 10 years, continuous or interrupted, will be summed up.
Parliament is due to hold a final vote on the bill on Tuesday, October 28, 2025.Most likely, it will be adopted in the current version.If this happens, the Assembly will send the bill to the President. He can sign it or send it to the Constitutional Court for consideration.The law comes into force after its publication in the official journal of Diário da República.
Source: IMI
