Portugal has increased the minimum period of legal residence required for foreign nationals, including Nigerians, Indians and Pakistanis, to qualify for citizenship through naturalisation from five to 10 years.
The change is part of amendments to the country’s Nationality Law, introduced under Organic Law No. 1/2026, which came into force on May 19, 2026.
Under the revised legislation, nationals of countries outside the European Union and Portuguese-speaking nations must now complete at least 10 years of legal residence in Portugal before applying for citizenship.
However, citizens of European Union member states and countries where Portuguese is an official language, including Angola, Mozambique, Brazil and Cape Verde, are required to complete seven years of legal residence.
The amendment represents a significant change for Nigerians seeking Portuguese citizenship, as Nigeria is not among the countries entitled to the reduced seven-year residency period.
Beyond the longer waiting period, the revised law introduces additional requirements for applicants seeking naturalisation.
Applicants must demonstrate sufficient knowledge of Portuguese culture, national history and symbols, as well as an understanding of the country’s political system and the fundamental rights and responsibilities of citizenship.
They must also make a formal declaration of commitment to the principles of Portugal’s democratic constitutional system and demonstrate the ability to support themselves financially.
The law further provides restrictions for applicants convicted of certain serious offences, including terrorism, violent crime and organised criminal activities.
Another significant change affects children born in Portugal to foreign parents. Under the revised provisions, at least one parent must have legally resided in the country for five years before the child can qualify under the relevant birth-based nationality provision.
The new legislation also changes the rules governing citizenship through adoption, making acquisition dependent on a declaration of intention rather than being automatic.
However, applications that were already pending before the new law came into force on May 19, 2026, remain subject to the previous legal provisions.
The changes come as Portugal continues to review its immigration and citizenship framework amid growing numbers of foreign residents and applications for nationality.
For Nigerians living and working in Portugal, the revised requirements mean that new applicants will generally have to wait longer before becoming eligible for Portuguese citizenship.