Portugal's nationality law changed on 19 May 2026, doubling the residence needed for most applicants and adding a civic knowledge requirement. Many online guides still describe the old five-year rule. Check whether your plan is based on the current law.
Lei Orgânica 1/2026 raised the naturalisation requirement from 5 to 10 years of legal residence for most nationalities.
EU and CPLP nationals have a shorter path: 7 years of legal residence, up from 5 under the previous law.
Lei Orgânica n.º 1/2026 was published in the Diário da República on 18 May 2026 and entered into force on 19 May 2026. Lei 61/2025 is the separate Foreigners Law reform covering visas and family reunification.
The clock now starts when AIMA issues your residence permit, reversing a 2024 rule that counted from the application date. AIMA processing delays therefore no longer count towards citizenship.
Under the transitional rule, nationality applications filed on or before 18 May 2026 continue to be assessed under the previous five-year regime.
Residency and citizenship are governed by separate laws. Permanent residence and EU long-term resident status remain available after 5 years of legal residence.
Applicants must show at least A2-level Portuguese through an approved test or certificate, most commonly the CIPLE exam.
The law adds a civic knowledge requirement covering history, culture, national symbols, fundamental rights and duties and the organisation of the state. Its exact test format is still being set by regulation.
Source: Citizenship civic knowledge requirement (The Golden Portugal)
The 2026 nationality reform closed the Sephardic Jewish descent route to new applicants.
Children born in Portugal now qualify only if at least one parent had completed five years of legal residence when the child was born.
Most applicants use the CIPLE, the A2 Portuguese exam run by CAPLE at the University of Lisbon. It requires 55% overall and does not expire.
Source: The A2 language test (CIPLE) for citizenship (Portugalist)
The Constitutional Court struck down the decree that would have allowed loss of nationality as a criminal penalty for naturalised immigrants who commit serious crimes. The 10-year residence rule took effect on 19 May 2026.
Source: 2026 in Portugal (Wikipedia)
The law sets the topics — culture, history, symbols, rights and duties, and the organisation of the state — but the test format, number of questions and pass mark are still to be defined by regulation.
Source: Citizenship civic knowledge requirement (The Golden Portugal)
This quiz is general information based on Portuguese rules in force on the review date above, not legal advice. Immigration thresholds change every January with the minimum wage, and laws change often. Confirm your case with a lawyer before applying.