Novas alterações a nacionalidade e lei de estrangeiros - Governo apresenta medidas

New Measures on Nationality, Foreigners, and Borders in Portugal Council of Ministers – June 23, 2025 At a Council of Ministers meeting, the Portuguese Government announced important legislative changes to the Nationality Law and the Foreigners and Borders Law, aiming to strengthen the criteria for integration and adaptation to the national reality, ensuring greater control and transparency in migration and citizenship acquisition processes. Nationality Law – Main Changes Original Nationality: The granting of original citizenship to children of foreigners born in Portuguese territory is no longer automatic. It will now depend on: Parents having legal residence in Portugal for at least three years; Express expression of will by the parents. Derivative Nationality (Naturalization): New criteria and deadlines are introduced: Seven years of legal residence for CPLP citizens; Ten years for citizens of other countries; The period will now start counting from the date of obtaining the residence permit, rather than the date of the application. Additional Requirements: Sufficient knowledge of the Portuguese language; Knowledge of Portuguese culture, fundamental rights and duties, and the political organization of the State; Personal declaration of adherence to the principles of the democratic rule of law. Impediments: Persons with criminal convictions involving custodial sentences, regardless of their duration, will not be able to initiate the nationality process. Other Changes: Abolition of the nationality regime for Sephardic descendants; Restriction of nationality by ancestry: will now be possible only until the generation of great-grandchildren; Possibility of loss of nationality for recently naturalized citizens, in cases of conviction for serious crimes with a sentence of five years or more in prison (such as homicide, crimes against the State, or crimes against persons). Foreigners' Law – New Rules and Procedures Reorganization of Entry Channels: Three main regimes will be regulated: CPLP, Family Reunification, and Work Seeker Visa (VPT). Work Seeker Visa (VPT): This will be exclusive to highly qualified professionals; A proposed agreement with universities is planned to facilitate visas linked to study and research, when the talent attraction conditions are met; AIMA will create a specific channel to handle these processes. Family Reunification: More restrictive requirements: Minimum two years of legal residence for the main applicant; Adequate housing and sufficient means of subsistence, excluding social benefits; Reunification within national territory only for minor children. Other family members must apply for reunification outside national territory; Mandatory attendance at Portuguese language courses for family members and mandatory school attendance for minors; Rejection in cases of risks to public safety; AIMA may arrange appointments in advance, depending on its administrative capacity; End of tacit approval for renewals — requests not responded to within the deadline will not be automatically accepted. CPLP Regime: The CPLP agreement remains in effect, both for visas and residence permits (AR); However, the new rules provide for: AR issuance only for those with a residence visa; Elimination of the article that allowed AR to be granted without a residence visa (tourists); Requirement of an opinion from the Foreigners' Oversight Council (CFE) for the issuance of visas and AR, considering the evolving situation in the country. Renewals and Extensions The validity period of expired residence permits has been extended until October 15, 2025. AIMA will: Open a communication channel with holders of residence permits to be renewed; The renewal process will begin with the payment of the fee; The citizen will then be called for assistance and completion of the process. Application of the New Rules The application of the measures, especially those related to the Nationality Law, will take effect for processes initiated on or after June 19, 2025. #cplp #portugal #immigrantsinportugal #portuguesenationality