BREAKING NEWS: Proposed Changes to Portugal's Foreigners Law and Nationality Law - What This Means for You
- Felipe Jorquera
- Oct 1
- 4 min read
Portugal has always been a hot spot for expats because of the more flexible immigration laws, such as the ability to apply for citizenship after 5 years as opposed to the 10-year requirement of almost all other EU countries. Portugal’s immigration framework has been in the spotlight throughout 2025, with sweeping reforms proposed to the Foreigners Law and the Nationality Law. While the Foreigners Law has already gone through intense scrutiny — including a Constitutional Court ruling and a major re-vote in September — the nationality reforms are still pending.
Here’s where things stand as of October 1, 2025, and what it means for you.
A Little Bit of Background
In July 2025, the Portuguese Parliament approved a package of amendments to the Foreigners Law. These included:
Requiring two years of legal residence before an immigrant could apply for family reunification.
Tightening the rules on who qualifies as a family member.
Extending decision deadlines for residence permits and reunification applications.
Soon after approval, President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa referred the law to the Constitutional Court for preventive review. In early August, the Court struck down several provisions as unconstitutional, particularly those relating to family reunification and restrictions on judicial appeals. This forced the President to veto the law and return it to Parliament for revision.
What Happened on September 30, 2025
After weeks of negotiation and redrafting, a revised version of the Foreigners Law was put to vote in Parliament. On September 30, 2025, it was approved. This version attempts to address the constitutional concerns raised in the summer while still pursuing the government’s goal of stricter immigration control.
What to Know About the Newly Approved Foreigners Law
1. Family Reunification
The requirement of the waiting period of two years of legal residence for family reunification remains in the law, with the exception of:
Couples with kids
Couples without kids: Reduced waiting period to one year as long as they can prove they’ve been married or in a civil union for at least one year before arriving. The relationship must be considered valid in Portugal
Other exceptions: People with a disability, as well as the originally exempt categories of highly qualified workers and golden visa holders, won’t have a waiting period.
2. Accommodation Requirements
Proof of adequate housing is now an explicit requirement for residence permits and family reunification. Although “adequate housing” has not been defined yet, this proof generally requires a registered rental contract (declared with the tax authority) or property ownership documents.
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Proposed Changes to the Nationality Law
While the foreigners law has been approved by Parliament and is now under presidential review, the Nationality Law reform remains under debate. The main proposed changes include:
Longer residency period for citizenship: Extending the naturalization requirement from 5 years to 10 years for most foreigners.
CPLP nationals: Citizens of Portuguese-speaking countries (such as Brazil, Angola, Mozambique, etc.) would have a shorter period of 7 years instead of 10.
Integration requirements: Applicants may need to demonstrate deeper integration, including knowledge of the Portuguese language, history, and democratic values.
Stricter criminal record checks: Broader exclusions based on criminal convictions and the possibility of revocation of nationality in serious cases.
Transitional uncertainty: One of the most debated issues is whether the new 10-year requirement will apply retroactively or only to future applicants. This remains unresolved.
The final vote on the Nationality Law was initially expected in September but has been postponed.
What's Next
The revised Foreigners Law now sits with the President of the Republic, who has up to 20 days to either promulgate (sign into law), veto, or once again send it to the Constitutional Court for review.
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Here's What You Should Do Now
The most important thing for anyone living in Portugal or planning to move there is to prepare for the new rules. Since the final reform has not yet been published, specific actions are difficult to calculate, however, one thing is for sure: general compliance remains key.
The new Portugal immigration law signals a stricter environment. If you are either applying or waiting for a visa or residency decision, ensure all your documentation is impeccable.
Review Your Documents: Double-check the validity and completeness of your passport, criminal records, and proof of funds.
Secure Accommodation: If you are using a rental contract (contrato de arrendamento) as proof of address, ensure it is properly registered with the tax authority (Finanças). Unregistered leases are a major cause of visa rejection.
Stay Informed: The law will only take effect after publication in the Diário da República. Monitor official sources for the exact date and the final publication.
Seek Expert Advice: Given the political volatility and the complexity of the new rules, consulting a lawyer or immigration specialist is highly recommended to understand how the changes affect your specific visa or residency application.
This legislative change is a direct result of the political shift in Portugal, prioritizing stricter controls over the previous, more flexible system. The cost of non-compliance is high, potentially leading to delays or rejection of visas/residency applications.
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