The path to an EU passport: now up to 10 years

For years, Portugal had one of the most accessible naturalization rules in the EU — citizenship after 5 years of legal residence. In 2026 that changed: a new citizenship law was passed, extending the timelines and tightening integration requirements.

What the new 2026 law changed

Parliament approved the reform and the president signed the law into effect in May 2026. The key change is the residence period required to apply for citizenship:

• 10 years — for most third-country nationals (including Ukraine).
• 7 years — for nationals of EU countries and the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP).

Previously a five-year period applied to everyone. The new rules apply to future applications; transitional provisions protect cases already filed.

The clock starts from the card, not the application

Another important change: legal residence is now counted from the date your first residence card is issued, rather than from your first residence-permit application. In practice this can push back when you become eligible to apply — especially given the delays with AIMA appointments.

New integration requirements

• Portuguese at an A2 level (proven by a certificate, e.g. CAPLE).
• An integration exam — basic knowledge of Portugal's culture, history and institutions.
• A declaration of commitment to the democratic principles of the rule of law.
• A clean criminal record — serious convictions disqualify you from naturalization.

What this means for you

If you're only planning to move, build a longer horizon to the passport into your strategy and start learning the language early. If you're already a resident, it's important to count your period correctly (from the first card) and avoid gaps in status. Those close to 5 years under the old rules should separately check whether their case falls under the transitional provisions.

A useful milestone on this path is permanent residence (PR), available before citizenship, along with maintaining uninterrupted legal status through timely permit renewals.

The 2026 citizenship law and its implementing regulations are still being rolled out; some provisions may be clarified or challenged. This information is for general guidance only — before applying, check official sources or reach out to us for an analysis of your case.