Portugal Nationality Law amendments signed: citizenship now requires 10 years' residency (7 for EU/CPLP)

On 3 May 2026, President António José Seguro signed amendments to Portugal’s Nationality Law that significantly lengthen the citizenship pathway for most foreign nationals. Under the new rules, most applicants now need 10 years of legal residency before becoming eligible for Portuguese citizenship – up from the previous 5-year threshold. Citizens of EU member states and Lusophone (CPLP) countries continue to qualify under a shorter 7-year requirement. D8 (Digital Nomad Visa) mechanics, residency periods, and renewal terms are unchanged by the amendments.

Why this matters

If you are on the D8 visa or any Portuguese residence permit planning your route to EU citizenship, the timeline just doubled in most cases. This affects long-term planning for non-EU nomads who chose Portugal partly for what was historically Europe’s fastest citizenship path. The day-to-day mechanics of D8 living – tax residency, healthcare access, schooling – are unaffected; only the citizenship endpoint has moved.

This change brings Portugal closer to the EU average for residency-to-citizenship timelines. It also creates a meaningful realignment between Portugal and Spain for nomads weighing the two countries on a long-game basis: Spain’s path to citizenship runs roughly 10 years for most non-EU applicants too, but with different country-of-origin exceptions (Latin America especially). The citizenship endpoint is now broadly aligned between the two main Iberian nomad destinations.

What to watch

Implementing regulations and any grandfathering clauses for applicants already in residency at the time of the amendments. If you are mid-process toward Portuguese citizenship, check your specific residency period count and whether transitional rules apply to applications already lodged. Verify all specifics with official Portuguese government guidance or a qualified Portuguese immigration adviser before relying on these dates for planning.