Portugal has extended the waiting period for citizenship to 10 years: new rules for Ukrainians

Portugal has officially tightened the rules on citizenship for foreigners. Most migrants, including Ukrainians, will now have to live in the country for at least 10 years instead of 5. Find out more about the new naturalisation requirements, who will be affected by the changes, and whether they will impact applications that have already been submitted

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The President of Portugal has signed amendments to the citizenship law that significantly alter the naturalisation rules for foreign nationals. The main change is an increase in the minimum period of legal residence required to obtain a Portuguese passport, from 5 to 10 years. The new rules will affect most migrants, including Ukrainians. At the same time, the authorities emphasise that the changes will not be retroactive and will not affect applications already submitted.

In our previous article, we explained how to obtain temporary protection in Portugal after other countries.

What will change in the rules for obtaining Portuguese citizenship?

The new version of the law tightens requirements in several areas. The most significant change is the extension of the period of legal residence required to apply for citizenship to 10 years. For citizens of the EU and Portuguese-speaking countries, a reduced period of 7 years will apply.

The method of calculating this period is also changing. Whereas previously the count began from the moment of submitting documents for legalisation, now only the date of receiving an official residence permit will be taken into account. This means that the actual path to citizenship for many migrants may become even longer.

In addition, the authorities have tightened requirements regarding the vetting of foreigners’ criminal and legal records during their stay in the country.

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How will the new rules affect Ukrainians in Portugal?

For Ukrainians, the general rule will apply – 10 years of legal residence – as Ukraine is not part of the EU and is not a member of the Portuguese-speaking community.

The changes also affect children born in Portugal. Now, for a child to automatically obtain citizenship, their parents must have resided legally in the country for at least 5 years, instead of 1 year as was previously the case.

At the same time, the President of Portugal specifically emphasised that the tightening of naturalisation criteria should not affect the humanitarian protection of migrants or the integration of children born in the country. The authorities have also confirmed that the new rules will not be applied retroactively – applications already submitted and cases currently under consideration will remain valid under the old conditions.

Need help with legalization in Portugal? The immigration lawyers at Visit Ukraine will help you assess your chances of obtaining a residence permit and citizenship under the new rules, analyze potential risks, and guide you through every step of the process—from preparing documents to submitting your application. You’ll receive a clear action plan to avoid mistakes and save time during the immigration process.

We remind you! Every year, Portugal becomes more accessible to Ukrainians, offering opportunities for work, education, and a relatively high standard of living. However, moving to this southern country requires a thoughtful approach, knowledge of current requirements, and preparation of the necessary documents. Read about what types of visas are required for relocation, how to legalize your status in Portugal, and what steps you need to take to obtain a work permit.

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