New Citizenship Waiting Period#
Portugal's president recently signed a new law that extends the waiting period for foreigners seeking citizenship from five years to up to ten years. This change affects most applicants and aims to manage the increasing number of foreign residents in the country.
Legislative Support#
The bill received backing from various political parties, including the minority center-right Social Democratic Party and the far-right Chega party. President Antonio Jose Seguro, who took office in March, hopes that this change will not affect pending applications, emphasizing the importance of maintaining trust in the state.
Impact on Portuguese-Speaking Applicants#
Under the new law, individuals from countries like Brazil and Angola, which share a language with Portugal, will now have to wait seven years instead of five to obtain citizenship. This adjustment reflects the broader changes in immigration policy.
Rising Immigration Numbers#
The new legislation comes at a time when Portugal is experiencing a significant increase in its foreign population, which has reached 1.5 million residents, making up about 15% of the total population. This figure has nearly tripled since 2019, largely due to a surge in immigration following the pandemic. The growing number of foreign residents has put pressure on Portugal's housing, healthcare, and public services.