On October 28, 2025 (Portugal time), the amendment to the Portuguese Nationality Act, which has attracted significant attention from global investors and the immigration community, underwent its final parliamentary vote.
The amendment was passed with 157 votes in favor and 64 against. Next, the bill will be sent to the President for signature or submitted to the Constitutional Court for a prior review of constitutionality. Before the amendment is officially published in the Government Gazette, the new law has not yet entered into force.
Core Content of the Amendment
According to the version finally passed by Parliament, the main changes in the amendment are concentrated in the following areas:
• Extension of naturalization period: The general requirement is extended from 5 years to 10 years; for citizens of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) and EU member states, it is 7 years.
• Adjustment of the starting point for naturalization: The current legal residence period, which starts from the date of submission of the residence permit application, is changed to start from the date of issuance of the first residence card.
• Integration test: Addition of a requirement to provide proof of knowledge of the Portuguese language, Portuguese culture/history, and national symbols (via test or certificate).
• Economic capacity requirement: Proof of source of income/economic self-sufficiency is required.
• Children born in Portugal: At least one parent must have been a legal resident for 5 years before the child can obtain Portuguese nationality (the current law requires 1 year).
• Cancellation of the naturalization pathway for Sephardic Jewish ancestry.
Next Key Step: Presidential Review Stage
The parliamentary vote does not mean that the new law has officially taken effect. Next, the bill will enter the presidential review procedure, where two possibilities exist:
• Presidential signature and approval: If the President signs it directly, the amendment will be published in the Official Gazette and will officially take effect on the day following its publication.
• Presidential veto or submission to the Constitutional Court: If the President believes there are concerns regarding the constitutionality of the provisions, the bill may be returned to Parliament or submitted to the Constitutional Court for review. In this case, the amendment will return to Parliament for further discussion and voting.
Currently, the bill has not been published in the Official Gazette and therefore has not entered the formal implementation stage. Worldway will continue to monitor the situation and will share any new information with you as soon as it becomes available.
As one of the countries with the most stable immigration policies and the greatest appeal for living in Europe, Portugal has always been favored by high-net-worth individuals worldwide. Although this amendment signals a tightening of policy, investors who already hold legal residence and meet the 5-year condition before the bill officially takes effect will still enjoy the advantages of the current policy.
Worldway reminds investors: Investors who submit their applications before the new policy takes effect will not be affected by the new law; it is recommended that eligible applicants prepare and submit their naturalization materials as soon as possible to lock in the benefits of the current policy.
As one of the first immigration agencies to promote the Portuguese Golden Residence Permit Program in China, Worldway created the first successful case of a Chinese investor in the Portuguese Golden Visa, successfully applying for a Portuguese EU passport. Worldway is your trusted choice for handling Portuguese immigration.
Currently, through the Portuguese Fund Investment Immigration Program, investors can invest from 500,000 Euros in funds to apply for Portuguese Golden Residence status for their entire family of three generations, with fast approval. As an EU member state, Schengen Area member, and NATO member, holding a Portuguese residence permit allows you to travel freely through 29 Schengen countries. After obtaining Portuguese Golden Residence status, you can apply for naturalization upon meeting the conditions and obtain an EU passport.
In addition, you can also immigrate to Portugal through the Portuguese Cultural and Artistic Donation Program. According to the bill, applicants only need to invest 200,000 Euros to apply for Portuguese Golden Residence status for their entire family of three generations, providing a low-cost and convenient way to obtain an EU passport.
(For details, please click to read: Worldway, along with Huawei, Tencent, etc., honored as one of the "Top 500 Asian Brands")
For more details on Portuguese immigration, please contact us in Mainland China at 400-138-2929, or our Hong Kong Customer Service Center at (852)2802 8798.