Government extends deadline for granting nationality to a minimum of seven years

At the Council of Ministers briefing, the Minister of the Presidency, António Leitão Amaro, stated that a proposal for changes to the nationality law will be presented, reinforcing the “requirement for effective connection, of belonging to the national community”.

Because it is this “robust connection” that ensures nationality, “what defines our people, as a political community”, he highlighted.

In the case of candidates for nationality by original citizenship – those born in Portuguese territory, even if they are the children of foreigners – the Government will impose new rules.

In the case of “descendants of foreigners residing in national territory”, the authorities will now “require that parents have had legal residence for at least three years”.

Furthermore, the minister said, “nationality is not attributed by default but only if the person expresses a positive will to that effect”.

In the case of naturalization, legally known as “derived nationality”, the Government will increase the current minimum period of five years of “legal residence to qualify for obtaining nationality” to seven years for those coming from countries in the Community of Portuguese Language Countries and “10 years for the remaining” countries.

The “deadline begins to count from the moment the residence permit is obtained”, unlike what happened today, which counted from the initial application, he explained.

In these cases, the Government will require “sufficient knowledge of the language, but also of Portuguese culture” and of the “fundamental rights and duties of the Portuguese Republic”, with “assessment tests” being planned.

In addition, applicants will be required to sign a “solemn declaration of adherence to the principles of the democratic rule of law”.

Leitão Amaro also highlighted that the “standard of requirement for the applicant’s criminal record” will be raised, with candidates who have an “effective prison sentence” on their record being excluded, unlike the current limitations (only more than three years in prison).