Portugal News

PS makes new approach to PSD/CDS on review of nationality law

The Socialist Party (PS) has submitted, for the second time, amendments to its own proposals for revising the nationality law, most notably changing a series of deadlines to bring them closer to those advocated by the PSD and CDS. These new PS proposals were announced by Pedro Delgado Alves, vice-president of the Socialist Party (PS), at the beginning of the Constitutional Affairs Committee meeting.

Pressure mounts on MPs for transitional regime in Nationality Law

Pressure mounts on Parliament: more than 12,000 people are demanding that the new Nationality Law not affect those already living in Portugal. 

The debate on the new Nationality Law has once again gained momentum in Parliament. After another postponement in the Constitutional Affairs Committee , signatories of a petition with 12,167 signatures are asking MPs to create a transitional regime to safeguard foreigners already residing in Portugal and awaiting access to citizenship.

New Foreigners Law published in the Official Gazette and will come into effect

Starting October 23, changes restricting the entry and stay of immigrants in Portugal will come into effect. Check out the main changes.

The new Foreigners Law, with the amendments approved in parliament and promulgated by President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, was published in the Official Gazette this Wednesday, October 22, and will come into effect the following day: October 23.

Discussion of nationality law postponed again until Thursday

The discussion of the new nationality law proposal in the Parliamentary Committee on Constitutional Affairs was postponed today, at the request of the PSD, until Thursday, due to the introduction of several amendments in the last few hours.

This is the second postponement of the discussion, after the PS did the same last week, to analyze the initial proposal (PSD and CDS), which had been submitted shortly before. 

Portugal to Discuss New Citizenship Law in Parliament today

Lisbon, 22 October 2025 – The Portuguese Parliament’s relevant committee begins discussions today on a new draft law on nationality, aiming to change how foreigners become Portuguese citizens. 

The proposed law is part of a broader reform, responding to concerns about fairness and integration. Under the new framework, the time a foreign resident must live legally in Portugal before applying for citizenship could be shortened for some, and rules on how that time is counted may change.

“Five-Year Route to Citizenship for EU/CPLP, Seven Years for Others — PS Tables Compromise”

The Partido Socialista (PS) has submitted formal amendments to the Portuguese nationality bill, proposing five years of legal residence for citizens of the European Union and CPLP nations, and seven years for nationals of other countries — replacing the government’s earlier ten-year proposal. 

Residence cards are valid six months after lapsed, AIMA reports

Residence permits that expired until June 30 will be valid until April 15, 2026. Those due from July 1 are worth another six months.

After October 15, and without being able to complete all the renewals of the residence cards, the Government of Portugal gave a new deadline for the documents: another six months of validity. However, the extension is only valid for those who have requested the renewal of residence permits.

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