How can I get Portuguese citizenship?
Conditional — and the residence period rose, already in force. The reform from 5 to 7/10 years is in force since 19 May 2026 (Organic Law 1/2026, amending Law 37/81). Residence for naturalisation is now 7 years (citizens of the CPLP/Portuguese-speaking and the EU) or 10 years (others). The clock starts at the issuance of the residence permit, not the application. An A2 level of Portuguese is required (CIPLE or equivalent), plus a new culture/history/civics knowledge requirement (test pending regulation). By marriage or cohabitation, it's still 3+ years to apply, but the presumed-connection threshold rose to 6 years. The process runs through the IRN / Central Registry. In short: yes, but with 7 or 10 years of residence.
📋 The rules
- Naturalisation: 7 years (CPLP/EU) or 10 years (others)
- In force since 19 May 2026 (Organic Law 1/2026)
- The period counts from the residence-permit issuance
- Language requirement: A2 Portuguese
- Marriage/cohabitation: 3+ years to apply
🔓 Exceptions
- Applications pending on 19.5.2026: decided under the old 5-year rule
- Citizenship by descent (child of a Portuguese): unchanged
- Nationality Regulation (culture test): pending regulation
⚠️ Penalties & fines
There's no "fine" — what changed are the requirements. The critical point is one of currency: the rise in the residence period is already in-force law (since 19 May 2026), so treating this as "just a proposal" is incorrect. Another common error: "10 years for everyone" — false; it's 7 years for CPLP/EU and 10 for others. Brazilians, as CPLP nationals, are in the 7-year tier. Applications already pending on 19 May 2026 are decided under the old 5-year rule (a transitional rule), and citizenship by descent is unaffected. To proceed: check the issuance date of your residence permit, get the A2 Portuguese certificate, and submit the application to the IRN — but if you already have a pending application, it follows the 5 years.
📎 Official sources
- Organic Law 1/2026 — amendment to Law 37/81 →
- Law 37/81 — Nationality Law (consolidated) →
- IRN — Portuguese nationality →
❓ Frequently asked
How many years of residence do I need for citizenship?
Since 19 May 2026, naturalisation requires 7 years of legal residence for citizens of the CPLP, i.e. Portuguese-speaking countries, and the European Union, and 10 years for others. The time counts from the issuance of the residence permit. Before the reform, the period was 5 years for all.
Is the rise from 5 to 7/10 years in force?
Yes. Contrary to what many outdated sources say, it's no longer a proposal. The change was approved, promulgated and entered into force on 19 May 2026, through Organic Law 1/2026, which amended the Nationality Law. Treating this as "just a draft" is incorrect.
Is it 10 years for everyone?
No. It's 7 years for citizens of CPLP countries and the European Union, and 10 years for nationals of other countries. Brazilians, being nationals of a CPLP country, are in the 7-year tier. It's a myth that the new period is 10 years for all applicants.
What about those with an application in progress?
Citizenship applications already pending on 19 May 2026 are decided under the old rule, i.e. with the 5-year residence period, under a transitional provision. So those who applied before that date aren't penalised by the new 7- or 10-year period.
What other requirements are there?
Besides the residence period, you must prove knowledge of Portuguese at the A2 level, via the CIPLE exam or equivalent, and a knowledge-of-culture/history/civics requirement was introduced, whose test is still pending regulation. The absence of relevant criminal convictions is also required.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “portuguese citizenship 7 years”
- “nationality law 2026 in force”
- “naturalisation residence 10 years”
- “citizenship cplp 7 years”
- “citizenship portuguese a2”
- “pending applications citizenship 5 years”