A new law in Portugal is set to streamline the process for foreign nationals seeking Portuguese citizenship, reducing residency requirements and simplifying certain procedures

Effective April, the waiting period for citizenship eligibility will now include the time spent waiting for authorization to live in Portugal, which was previously not counted. This change is expected to benefit thousands of Brazilian nationals, who constitute the largest foreign nationality group in Portugal. Many Brazilians who applied for citizenship in 2019 and were initially granted only a residence permit will now be eligible to become Portuguese citizens.

Under the new law, immigrants residing in Portugal must demonstrate proficiency in the Portuguese language, with exceptions for candidates from Portuguese-speaking countries, such as those in the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) and Equatorial Guinea. Candidates from other nationalities will be required to pass language exams, with a minimum A2 level proficiency in Portuguese necessary for citizenship eligibility.

In addition to Brazilians, descendants of Portuguese Sephardic Jews will also have an easier path to Portuguese citizenship under the new legislation. They must establish connections to Portuguese society, which can include familial surnames, language proficiency, or direct ancestral descent. Certificates issued by recognized Jewish communities in Portugal, such as the Comunidade Israelita do Porto and Comunidade Israelita de Lisboa, will serve as evidence of Sephardic ancestry, subject to approval by an evaluation committee.

Furthermore, descendants of Sephardic Jews will need to have resided legally in Portugal for three years to qualify for citizenship, requiring a Residence Permit for their stay before applying for recognition of their status.

However, the new law also stipulates that individuals convicted of crimes, particularly those sentenced to three or more years, are ineligible for Portuguese citizenship. Additionally, the state reserves the right to deny citizenship to individuals deemed a threat to national security, including those involved in terrorism, violence, or organized crime.

By fLEXI tEAM