Portugal · Citizenship
Portuguese Citizenship Under the 2026 Law
Organic Law 1/2026, in force since 19 May 2026, doubled the usual naturalization period. Most foreign residents now need ten years of legal residence, while nationals of Portuguese-speaking countries and EU citizens need seven.
- Startup route
- StartUP Visa
- Minimum capital
- No fixed investment; own funds of 12 x IAS (EUR 6,445.56)
- Permanent residence
- 5 years of legal temporary residence
- Citizenship
- 10 years; 7 for CPLP and EU nationals
Naturalization (Nationality Law 37/81, as amended in 2026)
Portugal amended its Nationality Law through Organic Law 1/2026, approved by Parliament on 1 April 2026, published on 18 May and in force the next day. Adults can now naturalize after seven years of legal residence if they are nationals of Portuguese-speaking countries or EU citizens, and after ten years otherwise. Separate periods of legal residence can be added together if they fall within 9 or 12 years respectively. Applicants must prove knowledge of Portuguese language, culture, history and national symbols, know the basic rights and duties of citizens and the political organization of the state, declare adherence to democratic principles and show they can support themselves.
- Residence
- 10 years; 7 for CPLP and EU nationals
- Counting
- Periods added up within 12 years (9 for CPLP and EU)
- Tests
- Language, culture, history, symbols and civics
- In force
- 19 May 2026 (Organic Law 1/2026)
- Pending files
- Filed before 19 May 2026: previous rules apply
- Dual nationality
- Allowed under Portuguese law
- Investment route
- None
Requirements
- Be an adult under Portuguese law, with seven or ten years of legal residence depending on nationality.
- Prove by test or certificate sufficient knowledge of Portuguese language and culture, history and national symbols.
- Know the fundamental rights and duties of citizenship and the political organization of the Portuguese state.
- Solemnly declare adherence to the principles of a democratic state under the rule of law.
- No disqualifying conviction, no threat to national security and no UN or EU restrictive measures.
- Show the capacity to support yourself.
How to apply
- Confirm that your legal residence periods reach seven or ten years within the permitted window.
- Obtain the language and culture test result or certificate required under the nationality regulation.
- File the naturalization application with the registry services, with proof of legal residence, test results and criminal records.
- After a favorable decision, the naturalization is entered in the civil registry, which gives it legal effect.
What changed in 2026 and what did not
The 2026 amendment replaced the earlier five-year residence rule with the seven- and ten-year periods and added explicit requirements on culture, history, national symbols, civic knowledge and a declaration of adherence to democratic principles. It also introduced a rule for adding up interrupted periods of legal residence and narrowed nationality for children born in Portugal, who now need a parent with at least five years of legal residence. Applications already pending on 19 May 2026 continue under the previous version of the law. The government was given 90 days to update the Nationality Regulation, which sets the practical details of the tests.
Portuguese law does not ask new citizens to give up their previous nationality, so dual citizenship depends on the rules of the other country. Portugal has no citizenship-by-investment program, and Golden Visa holders follow the same seven- or ten-year rule as every other resident. For a non-EU founder arriving in 2026, that means planning around ten years of legal residence counted from the first residence permit.
Questions and answers
When did Portugal's new nationality rules take effect?
Organic Law 1/2026 was published in the Diário da República on 18 May 2026 and entered into force the next day, 19 May 2026. Applications pending on that date are decided under the earlier version of Law 37/81, which required five years of legal residence.
Does Portugal allow dual citizenship?
Yes. Portuguese nationality law does not require applicants to renounce another nationality when they naturalize. Whether a founder keeps the original passport depends on the law of the other country, so nationals of states that ban dual citizenship should check that rule before applying.
Do Golden Visa years count toward Portuguese citizenship?
Golden Visa holders reside legally in Portugal, so their permit years count like any other residence title. Under the 2026 law they need seven years if they are nationals of Portuguese-speaking countries or EU citizens and ten years otherwise, and they must also meet the language, civic and other requirements.
Official sources
- Lei Orgânica n.º 1/2026, de 18 de maiodiariodarepublica.pt
- Lei Orgânica n.º 1/2026 (official text, Regional Government of Madeira)www.madeira.gov.pt
Reviewed October 2026. Immigration rules change often. Confirm the current requirements with the official authority or a licensed adviser before applying.
Your path in Portugal.
Startup visa
IAPMEI approval and incubation contract, then a 4-month residence visa
02Temporary residence
AIMA residence permit for entrepreneurs in a certified incubator
03Permanent residence
Permanent permit after 5 years, with basic Portuguese
04Citizenship
10 years of legal residence since May 2026; 7 for CPLP and EU nationals