Lisbon, December 12, 2025 — Portugal’s Constitutional Tribunal (TC) is in the final hours of its mandated review period for the highly contested reform to the nationality law, with a ruling expected by the statutory deadline of Sunday, December 14.
The reform, which seeks to extend naturalization requirements, was formally submitted to the TC for a preventive constitutional review in late November by PS. Upon receipt of the complete request, the court entered a strict 25-calendar-day window to determine the constitutionality of the legislation.
Contrary to typical administrative schedules, the TC’s deadline includes weekends. Legal experts confirm that the count is based on calendar days from submission, not working days, pressing the court to potentially issue its verdict at any moment before Sunday night.
“The clock doesn’t stop for Saturday or Sunday,” explained constitutional law professor Elena Ruiz. “When a constitutional deadline expires on a weekend, the tribunal often rules accordingly. We have seen weekend decisions in the past on matters of this urgency.”
As of Friday afternoon, no official decision has been published. However, sources close to the court indicate that deliberations are advanced and an announcement is anticipated imminently, aligning with the mid-December timeline previously reported.
The proposed reform has sparked intense political and public debate, making the TC’s impending ruling a landmark moment. Regardless of the outcome, the decision will have immediate and profound implications for Portugal’s immigration and citizenship policies.
All eyes now turn to the Constitutional Tribunal’s communications office, with the nation awaiting a pronouncement that could come before the weekend is out.