Portugal's amended Nationality Law (Lei Orgânica 1/2026) sets 10 years' legal residence for most non-EU, non-CPLP applicants. What the gazette says.
Portugal's amended Nationality Law, Lei Orgânica n.º 1/2026, was published in the Diário da República on 18 May 2026 and took effect the next day. For most applicants outside the EU and the Portuguese-speaking (CPLP) countries, naturalisation now requires at least 10 years of legal residence in Portugal, up from the previous five. This article summarises what the published text says; it is general information, not advice on any individual case.
What changed
The text of Article 6 sets two residence periods for naturalisation:
| Applicant | Legal residence required |
|---|---|
| Nationals of Portuguese-speaking countries and EU Member States | At least 7 years |
| Nationals of other countries | At least 10 years |
The same article adds requirements to show sufficient knowledge of the Portuguese language and culture, history and national symbols, and of the fundamental rights and duties of nationality, plus a solemn declaration of adherence to the principles of a democratic state governed by law. It also sets conduct conditions, including no final sentence of more than three years' effective imprisonment for specified serious crimes.
How residence periods are counted
The law allows periods of legal residence to be added together, whether consecutive or not, provided they fall within a maximum window of 6, 9 or 12 years depending on the applicant (stateless persons, nationals of Portuguese-speaking or EU countries, and other nationals respectively). The published law also repeals Article 15(4) of the earlier nationality law. Commentators read this as ending the rule introduced in 2024 that let time count from the date a residence application was filed; how the clock starts in practice should be confirmed with a Portuguese lawyer for your own situation.
Pending applications
Article 7 says administrative procedures already pending when the law took effect continue under the earlier version of the law (Lei n.º 37/81). Whether a particular file counts as pending is a legal question for Portuguese counsel.
Legal challenges
Portuguese and international media report that parts of the wider reform package have been referred to the Constitutional Court, including a separate decree on loss of nationality after criminal conviction. We have not confirmed the current status of that review on an official Portuguese source, so treat it as reported only.
Who is affected
Anyone planning to reach Portuguese citizenship through residence, including investors holding or considering a residence-by-investment permit, because residence permits alone do not shorten the naturalisation period. Citizens of EU and CPLP countries face the shorter seven-year period. Anyone who already holds Portuguese nationality is not affected by the residence rule.
What it does not change
Portugal's Golden Visa is a residence permit, not citizenship, and nothing in this law decides whether any investment route is open, suitable or worth its cost. Permit requirements are set by separate rules and can change.
Residence-by-investment outcomes are never guaranteed, and processing times are estimates.
What to do next
If you are comparing residence options, see our Portugal residence-by-investment page and the wider residence-by-investment overview. For Canada, compare the timelines on the Express Entry page. Always confirm Portuguese rules with a Portuguese-qualified lawyer; ITC iLand Immigration Inc. does not give Portuguese legal advice.
Source: Lei Orgânica n.º 1/2026, de 18 de maio, Diário da República n.º 95, 1.ª série (read 13 October 2026). Law and processing times change; this is not legal advice.
