Law that tightens nationality in Portugal takes effect today and changes rules that may delay citizenship for Brazilians

Written by Caio Aviz

Published on 19/05/2026 at 17:00

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New rule increases residency time, changes naturalization paths, and directly affects Brazilians living in Portugal

A major change for foreigners was made official in Portugal this week, attracting the attention of thousands of Brazilians living in the country. The new Nationality Law was published in the Diário da República on Monday, the 18th, and came into effect this Tuesday, the 19th, altering deadlines for obtaining Portuguese citizenship. The update establishes that CPLP citizens, including Brazil, need to prove seven years of residence in Portugal to apply for nationality. Previously, the period was five years. This move extends the waiting time for new applications and reorganizes the planning of Brazilians who were looking to start the process.

New rule reveals direct impact on Brazilians

The change affects citizens of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries and also the European Union. After all, these groups now need to prove seven years of residence in the country to apply for Portuguese citizenship. Foreigners from other countries, in turn, will have to prove at least 10 years of residence in Portugal. The IRN, Institute of Registries and Notaries, a body under the Ministry of Justice of Portugal, informed that the new rules only apply to applications submitted after the law comes into effect. Therefore, those who started the process by Monday, the 18th, will not be affected.

Children of foreigners born in Portugal are also included in the change

The new legislation also affects children of foreigners born on Portuguese territory. Now, these children will only be considered Portuguese after living in the country for five years. Previously, foreign parents of children born in Portugal had the right to apply for citizenship based on parentage. With the new law, this possibility no longer exists for new cases. This scenario makes nationality recognition more restrictive and modifies an important avenue for foreign families residing in the country.

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Citizenship by descent remains unchanged

Although the law has tightened some of the rules, the process of Portuguese citizenship by descent has not changed. Brazilians who are children or grandchildren of Portuguese people can still apply for nationality, even if they have never lived in Portugal. This permanence keeps open one of the main alternatives used by families with a direct link to Portuguese citizens. Thus, the new legislation mainly focuses on tightening applications based on residence and birth on Portuguese territory.

Increase in requests generates alert on official platforms

After the approval of the changes last month, the IRN recorded elevated levels of access on its online service platforms. The agency also reported a significant increase in the number of nationality requests. Due to the large number of accesses, the institute warned that technical difficulties may occur in the processing following the requests. This movement indicates that many interested parties tried to anticipate their requests before the new requirements came into effect.

Brazilians in Portugal form a directly affected group

According to a survey by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, based on 2023 data, 513,000 Brazilians lived in Portugal that year. The Brazilian community, therefore, appears among the groups most sensitive to the change, especially because of the link with the CPLP. The new seven-year period alters expectations and requires more attention to dates, documents, and process stages. This impact also reinforces the importance of following the rules applied by the IRN in new requests.

The future of Portuguese citizenship requests

The new Nationality Law now integrates a stricter scenario for foreigners who wish to obtain Portuguese citizenship by residence. The longer period for CPLP citizens, the requirement of 10 years for other foreigners, and the change for children of foreigners born in Portugal reorganize access to nationality. Meanwhile, requests already initiated before the new rules take effect remain outside the new regulations.
In this scenario, will Portuguese citizenship become more distant for Brazilians who have not yet started the process?

Law that tightens nationality in Portugal takes effect today and changes rules that may delay citizenship for Brazilians

New rule increases residency time, changes naturalization paths, and directly affects Brazilians living in Portugal

New rule reveals direct impact on Brazilians

Children of foreigners born in Portugal are also included in the change

Citizenship by descent remains unchanged

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Brazilians in Portugal form a directly affected group

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Law that tightens nationality in Portugal takes effect today and changes rules that may delay citizenship for Brazilians

New rule increases residency time, changes naturalization paths, and directly affects Brazilians living in Portugal

New rule reveals direct impact on Brazilians

Children of foreigners born in Portugal are also included in the change

Citizenship by descent remains unchanged

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Increase in requests generates alert on official platforms

Brazilians in Portugal form a directly affected group

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