Nationality Law: Time for Nationality Determination Begins from Date of Resident Card Application

Attention Immigrants in Portugal: Your Path to Citizenship Just Got Easier

Send Your Query Now: Portugal Immigration Affair

Portugal's Citizenship Law has been officially ratified and made public in the Diário da República. Following a ruling by the Portuguese Constitutional Court, the President of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, gave his approval to the amended Portuguese Citizenship Law.

This recent alteration is poised to greatly benefit numerous immigrants residing in Portugal. In mid-January, the Portuguese Parliament passed an amendment to Article 15 of the Portuguese Nationality Law, which redefines the calculation of residency periods for nationality applications. The amendment, promulgated on February 24th, now includes the time elapsed since the submission of the temporary residence permit application as part of the residency period considered for nationality requests.

The precise wording of the amendment as published in the Diário da República states:

"For the purposes of counting legal residence periods provided for in this law, the time elapsed from the moment the temporary residence permit was requested shall also be considered, provided that it will be granted.."

This change aims to facilitate the naturalization process for immigrants by allowing the period since the submission of their residence application to count towards the required residency period of at least five years. This adjustment is particularly significant for those individuals who have been awaiting the issuance of their residence permit before initiating the official countdown toward their eligibility for Portuguese nationality.

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Portugal Immigration Affair

Updates to Portugal's "Nationality Law": Important changes in the rules for gaining citizenship.

 Revisions in Calculating Residence Time for Nationality Requests in Portugal

A significant change involves the way the period of residence in Portugal is counted for nationality applications based on residence time. Previously, the 5-year legal residence requirement was calculated from obtaining the residence permit. Now, it is calculated from the permit application, acknowledging the waiting time for approval. This aims to address delays in processing and correct potential injustices. For instance, an investor applying for a Golden Visa in 2019 and receiving the permit in 2021 due to the pandemic can now apply for nationality in 2024, considering the 5-year count from the initial permit application.

These amendments to the Nationality Law mark a substantial advancement in gaining citizenship in Portugal. By adapting procedures and criteria, the Parliament aims to align the legislation with current challenges, providing a more inclusive path for those seeking Portuguese nationality.

The approved changes, dated January 5th, are pending official documentation publication. It is anticipated that the document will be published by the end of January, with the changes taking effect in early February.

For specific guidance on how these recent changes impact citizenship acquisition processes in Portugal, consulting with Portugal Immigration Affair and nationality matters is recommended.

Portugal Immigration Affair