Portugal Moves to Stiffen Citizenship Requirements
Portugal is set to make it harder to acquire citizenship by extending the mandatory residency period to ten years. This reform, which could affect thousands of Ukrainians who arrived after 2022, was backed by a two-thirds majority in parliament. The final decision now rests with President António José Seguro. This shift aligns with a broader European trend of reassessing immigration and integration policies in the wake of recent population movements.
Under the new rules, the clock on the ten-year requirement starts from the moment a residence permit is issued. Citizenship will be automatically denied to anyone with a criminal sentence of three years or more, a significant reduction from the previous five-year threshold. Furthermore, the list of offenses that can block a passport application will be expanded, creating additional hurdles for many applicants seeking naturalization.
"Portugal is strengthening its naturalization rules—changes that will directly impact Ukrainians who view the country as a pathway to a European Union passport."
Despite the stricter requirements, eligibility to apply for citizenship will not be affected for individuals receiving social assistance.
Potential Impact on Ukrainian Applicants
President António José Seguro holds the power to either sign the proposed law into effect or veto it. His decision will be crucial for Ukrainians aiming for Portuguese citizenship, as the changes introduce significant new challenges to the naturalization process. Portugal has been a key destination for those displaced by the war, making this policy shift particularly consequential.
The proposed tightening of Portugal's naturalization procedure could substantially alter the prospects for many Ukrainians seeking new opportunities in Europe. With stricter residency terms and a lower criminal threshold, the path to citizenship will become longer and more complex, potentially influencing decisions about whether to remain in the country long-term. Observers are now closely watching for the president's final ruling, which will determine the fate of this reform.