Portugal residency: Wait time for citizenship extended from 5 to 10 years

Dubai: Portugal is set to make it significantly harder for most foreigners to obtain citizenship, with the government approving a proposal to double the residency requirement from five to ten years.

This is part of a wider immigration overhaul announced on Monday by the centre-right minority government.

According to Cabinet Minister Antonio Leitao Amaro, the stricter rules reflect the government's commitment to tightening control over migration. The changes are yet to be approved in Parliament.

Key changes announced

• 10-year residency: Most foreigners must now reside legally in Portugal for ten years before applying for citizenship.

• 7-year exception: Immigrants from Portuguese-speaking countries such as Brazil, Angola, and Mozambique will be eligible after seven years.

• Cultural requirements: Applicants will need to prove knowledge of the Portuguese language and culture, demonstrate understanding of citizen rights and responsibilities, and declare support for democratic principles.

• Crime and security clauses: Individuals who have served a prison sentence or are considered a national security threat will be disqualified.

• Revocation powers: The government will be able to strip citizenship from naturalised individuals convicted of serious crimes.

Why now?

Portugal has seen a rapid increase in immigration over recent years. As of late 2024, over 1.5 million foreign nationals were legally residing in the country — nearly 15% of the total population. In 2023 alone, 141,300 foreigners were naturalised, a 20% drop from 2022, according to Pordata.

The recent surge in migration was a key issue during last month’s elections, which saw Chega become the main opposition party. The government’s new measures appear to align with this political shift.

Impact on other immigration programs

The changes could also affect Portugal’s golden visa scheme, which allows non-EU nationals to gain residency through investments, such as contributing €500,000 to eligible funds. Currently, many golden visa holders apply for citizenship after five years — a timeline that may now shift to ten.

In addition, the government has decided to:

• End automatic nationality for descendants of Sephardic Jews of Portuguese origin

• Create a new border police force to support immigration enforcement

If approved in Parliament, the changes will introduce some of the most restrictive citizenship pathways in Portugal’s recent history — a move that may influence migration decisions for Indian expats and investors considering the country as a second home option.