Portugal's Nationality Law Change: What Changed and What It Means for D7/D8 Applicants
Portugal's Parliament approved a major rewrite of the Nationality Law on 28–29 October 2025, after an intense debate. The bill passed with the backing of PSD, Chega, IL, CDS and JPP. Opposition parties PS, Livre, PCP, BE and PAN voted against. The Government framed the vote as a reset of who qualifies for citizenship.
Next Step: Presidential Ratification
The text now goes to President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, who can ratify, veto, or request Constitutional Court review. Once ratified, it will be published in the Diário da República. According to Essential Business, final text may include clarifications on tests and transitional rules.
The Core Changes at a Glance
📅 Residency Years Doubled for Most Routes to Citizenship
From 5 to 10 years for the majority of applicants
7 years for CPLP nationals (Community of Portuguese Language Countries)
⚠️ Critical Change: Counting of time now starts from the issuance date of your first residence card, not from when you filed.
📚 New Integration Hurdles
- • Mandatory language and civics testing for all applicants
- • Stricter review of personal ties to Portugal including community integration and residence history
- • Applicants must declare adherence to democratic principles
👶 Birth-on-Soil Tightened
A child born in Portugal gains nationality only where parents have 3 years of legal residence and explicitly choose Portuguese nationality for the child. Automatic citizenship at birth has been eliminated.
🚫 Additional Major Changes
Sephardic Pathway Closed
The extraordinary regime for Portuguese Sephardic Jews is terminated.
Loss of Nationality After Serious Crimes
Parliament advanced a related measure enabling judges to revoke nationality for certain serious convictions, with safeguards against statelessness.
Implications for Popular Visa Routes
D7 Visa Holders (Passive Income/Retirees)
What Changed for D7 Holders
- → Citizenship clock runs 10 years in most cases (was 5 years previously)
- → Timeline starts from first residence permit issuance, not application filing
- → Mandatory language and civics preparation required earlier in your journey
- → Must maintain continuous, lawful residence to avoid resetting the clock
D8 Visa Holders (Digital Nomad/Remote Workers)
What Changed for D8 Holders
- → Same baseline: 10 years for citizenship for non-CPLP nationals
- → Counting starts from the first residence card issuance
- → Visa switches or gaps may affect continuity — track your timeline carefully
- → Keep tax, address, and AIMA records clean to prove continuous residence
VFS Portugal Applicants
Expect stronger document scrutiny for integration evidence and language readiness when applying for residence visas abroad.
- ✓ VFS handles submissions to consulates
- ✓ Citizenship criteria are checked much later by national authorities
- ✓ Your early paper trail matters — establish integration evidence from day one
CPLP Applicants
CPLP Fast Track Still Available (But Longer)
- → 7 years to citizenship (was 3-5 years previously)
- → Still counted from first residence card issuance
- → Language and civics obligations apply despite CPLP status
- → CPLP countries: Brazil, Angola, Mozambique, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, São Tomé and Príncipe, Equatorial Guinea, East Timor
Related Foreigners Law Adjustments You Should Know
Parallel Immigration Measures Tightening Entry and Family Reunification
Separate immigration measures moving in parallel tighten family reunification and CPLP permit handling. According to Caiado Immigration, these changes are being operationalized by AIMA and border police.
Family Reunification
- • Two-year lawful residence requirement commonly applies before family reunification
- • Specific exceptions for spouses with minor children (immediate)
- • One-year requirement for parents or dependent adult children
- • Golden Visa and highly qualified professionals exempt
CPLP Residence Requests
- • Narrower entry channels for CPLP nationals
- • More extensive security review processes
- • Enhanced documentation requirements
- • Details being finalized by AIMA
What to Do Now: Action Plan for D7/D8 Visa Holders
1. Adjust Your Expectations
Non-CPLP on D7 or D8
10 Years
From first residence card to citizenship eligibility
CPLP Applicants
7 Years
Reduced timeline for Portuguese-speaking countries
2. Build Provable Integration
Language Classes
- • Enroll in certified Portuguese language courses
- • Target A2/B1 proficiency minimum
- • Keep certificates and attendance records
- • Practice with native speakers regularly
Community Ties
- • Join local associations and clubs
- • Volunteer in your community
- • Attend cultural events
- • Document your social integration
Tax Compliance
- • File annual tax returns on time
- • Maintain NIF registration current
- • Keep payment confirmations
- • Demonstrate financial stability
Uninterrupted Residence
- • Track days spent in Portugal
- • Maintain primary residence address
- • Renew permits before expiration
- • Avoid extended absences
3. Preserve Your Timeline Evidence
Critical Documents to Keep
- 📄 Every residence card and renewal
- 📄 AIMA correspondence and appointment confirmations
- 📄 Lease agreements and housing registration
- 📄 Tax returns and payment receipts
- 📄 Bank statements showing Portuguese residence
- 📄 Utility bills in your name
- 📄 Language certificates and course completion
- 📄 Travel records (entries/exits from Portugal)
⚠️ Why This Matters: Counting starts at card issuance, so proving exactly when you received each permit is critical. Digital backups are recommended.
4. Watch the Ratification Step
The law now goes to President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa for final approval. He has three options:
Ratify
Law takes effect after publication in Diário da República
Veto
Returns to Parliament for reconsideration
Request Constitutional Court Review
Delays implementation pending judicial review
Need Help Navigating Portugal's New Nationality Law?
GetFastVisa provides expert guidance on D7, D8, and all Portugal visa pathways. We help you understand how these citizenship changes affect your timeline and prepare your application for success.
📋 Timeline Planning
Calculate your exact citizenship timeline under the new 10-year rule
📚 Integration Strategy
Build provable language skills and community ties from day one
📄 Document Management
Ensure all residency evidence is properly preserved and organized
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the new nationality law take effect?
The law was approved by Parliament on October 28-29, 2025. It now goes to President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa for ratification. Once ratified and published in the Diário da República, it will take effect. The exact implementation date depends on the President's decision and any transitional provisions included in the final text.
Do current D7/D8 visa holders need to wait 10 years for citizenship?
Yes, under the new law, D7 and D8 visa holders (non-CPLP) will need to complete 10 years of legal residence counted from their first residence card issuance date. CPLP nationals have a 7-year timeline.
Note: Watch for transitional provisions in the final published law, which may clarify how the new rules apply to applications already in progress.
What language level is required for Portuguese citizenship?
The new law mandates language and civics testing but specific proficiency levels (A2, B1, etc.) will be defined in implementing regulations. Based on European standards, expect at minimum A2 Portuguese proficiency for basic citizenship, though requirements may be higher. Start language preparation early to avoid delays.
Can I switch from D8 to D7 visa without resetting my citizenship timeline?
Visa switches can affect your timeline continuity. The key is maintaining continuous legal residence without gaps. If you switch visas but maintain uninterrupted legal status, your time should count from your original first residence card. However, document everything carefully and consult with immigration experts before making switches to ensure timeline preservation.
Are Golden Visa holders affected by the 10-year citizenship requirement?
The nationality law changes apply to all residence permit categories, including Golden Visa holders. However, Golden Visa holders still maintain advantages in family reunification (no waiting period) and may have different physical presence requirements. The 10-year citizenship timeline applies, but consult specialized advisors for your specific situation.
What counts as "legal residence" for the 10-year citizenship requirement?
Legal residence means holding a valid residence permit issued by AIMA (formerly SEF). The timeline starts from the issuance date of your first residence card, not from when you applied. Time spent in Portugal while waiting for permit approval does not count. Maintain continuous renewals without gaps to preserve your timeline.
Related Portugal Visa & Immigration Services
D7 Passive Income Visa
Complete application & renewal support
D8 Digital Nomad Visa
Remote worker visa assistance
D2 Entrepreneur Visa
Business visa solutions
Golden Visa Portugal
Investment-based residency
VFS Appointment Booking
Fast-track VFS appointments
Expert Consultation
Personalized visa & citizenship planning
Sources:
- • Reuters - Portugal Tightens Naturalisation Rules, Doubles Residency Requirement
- • Caiado Immigration - Portugal's Immigration Law Changes: Family Reunification and Visas
- • Essential Business - Portugal's New Nationality Law Approved
Disclaimer: This article provides general information about Portugal's new nationality law and is not legal advice. Immigration laws are subject to change and final implementing regulations may differ. For specific guidance on your citizenship timeline and visa status, consult with qualified Portuguese immigration professionals. GetFastVisa provides administrative support and application services but does not offer legal representation.
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Guilherme Lima
Founder & CEO
Guilherme is the founder and CEO of GetFastVisa, a serial entrepreneur who previously co-founded two Fintechs recognized by the Central Bank of Portugal for his initiatives. Through his company and team, he has helped hundreds of applicants navigate the Portuguese visa application process by streamlining visa services and appointment booking, making Portugal relocation more accessible for digital nomads and entrepreneurs worldwide. Please note: Guilherme is not an attorney and does not provide legal advice.
