Portuguese Citizenship Reform Paused: What It Means for You (Hint: Good News!)
Portugal’s proposed changes to its Citizenship Law have been temporarily paused — and for anyone considering residency or citizenship in Portugal, this is very reassuring news.
What changed on December 15?
The Constitutional Court issued a decision declaring several key provisions of the new Nationality Law unconstitutional, which means the reform cannot proceed as drafted and must be returned to the political process for revision before it can ever take effect.
✅ What this means for you right now:
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Nothing changes for now.
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The current 5-year citizenship route remains fully valid and unchanged.
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All applications continue to be processed under the existing rules.
Let’s break it down.
What Happens Next?
After the constitutional review, the law as drafted cannot enter into force until it is revised and re-approved. Until that happens:
✔️ Naturalisation continues under today’s criteria
✔️ No part of the new reform can take legal effect
✔️ The existing 5-year eligibility period for citizenship still applies
In other words: business as usual.
Thinking of Applying? Now Is the Time.
Every year, rumours and political noise swirl around Portuguese residency and citizenship programs.
But here’s the reality we see:
✨ The system continues to function as before.
✨ The traditional 5-year path to citizenship remains in force.
✨ Those who take action today secure their position in the process — those who wait risk losing time.
Don’t stand on the sidelines.
If Portugal is part of your long-term plan, now is the moment to move forward and get in the queue.
Want Guidance for Your Case? We Are Here to Help.
If you would like help navigating the current rules — or understanding exactly what these developments mean for your specific situation — our team is ready to support you with clarity and strategy.
👉 Simply go to Home and click on “Get Free Consultation.”
Your Portugal journey continues with confidence.
