Organic Law 1/2026 of 18 May came into force on 19 May 2026 and changed the rules for applying for Portuguese nationality by naturalisation. For many families in Portugal, especially in the Brazilian community, the question is simple: do I still qualify? This guide explains what changed and what to do next.
How many years of residence do you need now?
The minimum period of legal residence is no longer five years for everyone. It now depends on nationality:
- Seven years for nationals of Portuguese-speaking countries (including Brazil and the rest of the CPLP) and for EU citizens;
- Ten years for nationals of any other country.
In practice, a Brazilian citizen who could previously apply after five years now needs seven years of proven legal residence.
What counts as legal residence?
What counts is the time spent holding a valid permit — the residence permit issued by AIMA (formerly SEF). Periods with an expired permit but covered by legal extensions, or ongoing regularisation processes, need a case-by-case review. Assembling the full, gap-free sequence of your permits is the factor that most determines whether an application succeeds.
Is there a knowledge test?
Yes. Beyond sufficient knowledge of the Portuguese language (usually shown with an A2 certificate), applicants must now demonstrate, by test or certificate:
- knowledge of Portuguese culture, history and national symbols;
- knowledge of the fundamental rights and duties of nationality and of the political organisation of the Portuguese State.
A solemn declaration of adherence to the fundamental principles of the rule of law is also required. Several of these points still depend on further regulation — the Government has 90 days to adapt the Nationality Regulation — so the exact form of the test may yet be defined.
I have already filed my application. Am I affected?
No. The law expressly protects administrative procedures pending on the date it came into force: anyone who had already submitted continues to be assessed under the previous rules, including the five-year period. That is why your submission date is decisive right now.
Other relevant changes
- Great-grandchildren of an original Portuguese citizen can now apply.
- The special route for descendants of Sephardic Jews has been removed.
- Stateless persons with at least four years of legal residence can now apply.
- For children of foreigners born in Portugal, at least one parent must now have resided legally for five years (previously one year was enough).
- The criminal-record rule stands: no final conviction to an effective prison sentence of three years or more.
If you are close to reaching five years, it is worth checking now whether you can submit before deadlines run out — your filing date can make all the difference.
How my office can help
I review your residence history, confirm which regime applies to your case, and prepare the application — from the birth certificate to the language and knowledge requirements. This is part of my Private International Law service, built precisely for people living in Portugal who want certainty at every step.
If you want to know whether you can still apply under the old rules, or how to plan an application under the new ones, book a consultation, in person or online.