Nationality Law changes 2025 Portugal

Lisbon Dec 24, 2025 — For thousands of legal residents in Portugal approaching five years of residence, particularly those completing their eligibility period in February, there is growing reason for cautious optimism regarding nationality applications.

The idea is simple and powerful: under certain constitutional rules, the Assembleia da República (Parliament) can — by a super-majority (two-thirds) — “confirm” a law or part of a law even if the Constitutional Court declares it unconstitutional. On paper, that gives the legislature a direct way to keep controversial measures alive.

But reality tells a different story: such overrides have been used only very rarely. And even when possible, doing so carries high political and ethical risk.

Portugal’s Nationality Law Reform: Super-Majority, Constitutional Review, and the Battle Ahead

Portugal’s sweeping nationality-law reform has stepped into a defining moment. Backed by a large parliamentary majority, the legislation is now under preventive review by the Constitutional Court (TC). The heart of the debate revolves around a rare constitutional mechanism that allows Parliament to “confirm” a law even after the Court labels it unconstitutional.

When Portugal’s Parliament approved the Nationality Law reform on 28 October 2025, it did more than extend waiting periods — it rewrote the clock itself. The new law changes both when the countdown to citizenship begins and how time is measured.

For many long-term residents and immigrants waiting on AIMA’s endless queues, these two questions — from when does my residence count? and which rule applies to me? — are not academic. They decide whether one may apply this year or must wait several more.

Who has to submit IRS

In Portugal, tax returns must be filed by individuals who have earned income during the tax year that exceeds certain thresholds. The Portuguese tax system is based on a progressive tax rate, which means that individuals with higher incomes will pay a higher tax rate than those with lower incomes. The TAX number in Portugal is called numero de identificacion fiscal (NIF).