On 18 May 2026, Lei Orgânica n.º 1/2026 — Portugal’s new Nationality Law — was published in Diário da República n.º 95/2026, Série I. The statute entered into force on 19 May 2026 (Artigo 8.º).
For most foreign nationals, the residence period required for naturalisation rises from 5 to 10 years. CPLP and EU nationals retain a shorter 7-year route. Nationality applications filed on or before 18 May 2026 remain under the prior Lei 37/81 regime under the Artigo 7.º.2 transitional rule.
Pedro Barata, Senior Investment Migration Advisor, outlines the key changes for investors.
Key provisions affecting investors
The parliamentary vote in early April 2026 was approved by 152 MPs (PSD, Chega, CDS-PP, IL) against 64 (PS, PCP, BE, Livre, PAN). The President promulgated Decreto da Assembleia da República n.º 48/XVII on 3 May 2026[2] Presidência da República — Promulgação Decreto da Assembleia da República n.º 48/XVII (3 May 2026): https://www.presidencia.pt/ Lei Orgânica n.º 1/2026, Diário da República n.º 95/2026 Série I (18 May 2026): https://diariodarepublica.pt/dr/detalhe/lei-organica/1-2026-1123539996
1. Naturalisation period (Artigo 6.º). Under Lei Orgânica 1/2026, nationals of CPLP member states and other European Union member states must reside in Portugal for 7 years before applying for citizenship. All other nationalities must reside for 10 years. This replaces the previous universal 5-year requirement.
2. Start of the qualifying period. The 7- or 10-year period is counted from the date the first residence permit is issued.
3. Transitional rule for pending nationality applications (Artigo 7.º.2). Nationality applications submitted to the IRN on or before 18 May 2026 — the day before entry into force of Lei Orgânica 1/2026 — continue to be processed under the prior Lei 37/81 regime. These applications are not affected by the 7/10-year change.
4. Residency-stage investors (no nationality application yet). For Golden Visa and other residence-permit holders who have not yet filed a nationality application, the new 7- or 10-year requirement applies to any nationality application submitted from 19 May 2026 onward. The statute contains no transitional provision for residency-stage holders, and whether prior residency time counts toward the new clock is currently disputed and the subject of an ongoing collective legal action. Investors should monitor AIMA guidance and the forthcoming Regulamento da Nacionalidade update — the Government has 90 days from 18 May 2026 to issue it (Artigo 4.º).
5. Civic-knowledge and democratic-values requirements (Artigo 6.º(1)©(d) (e)). Applicants must demonstrate sufficient knowledge of Portuguese language, culture, history, national symbols, and of the fundamental rights, duties, and political organisation of the Portuguese State, and must sign a solemn declaration of adherence to the fundamental principles of the democratic rule-of-law State.
6. Consolidation period (Artigo 12.º-B). The good-faith holding period before nullity-protection takes effect is extended from 6 to 10 years.
7. Loss of nationality (Artigo 8.º). Lei Orgânica 1/2026 retains only voluntary renunciation by dual-nationals as a ground for loss of nationality. The expanded loss-of-nationality grounds proposed in the separate Decreto da Assembleia da República n.º 49/XVII (subject to Tribunal Constitucional review) are not part of this statute.
Pedro Barata,
Senior Investment Migration Advisor
Lei Orgânica n.º 1/2026 is now in force, having entered into force on 19 May 2026, the day after its publication in Diário da República. Nationality applications filed on or before 18 May 2026 continue under the prior Lei 37/81 regime by virtue of Artigo 7.º.2.
For residency-stage Golden Visa holders who have not yet filed a nationality application, the position is less clear: the statute is silent on whether residency time already accrued counts toward the new 7- or 10-year clock. AIMA has not yet published guidance, and the Government has 90 days to issue the updated Regulamento da Nacionalidade.
Where is it faster to obtain second citizenship?
The longer naturalisation period — 10 years for most nationalities, 7 years for CPLP and EU nationals — may make Portugal less attractive for investors who prioritise speed to a second citizenship.
Investors obtaining a Portuguese residence permit from 19 May 2026 onward who do not already hold CPLP or EU nationality should plan for a 10-year horizon to nationality, subject to the disputed question of how prior residency time will be treated for those still at the residency stage.
No EU member state grants citizenship by investment, and a typical naturalisation period in the EU starts at around 5 years.
Caribbean citizenship-by-investment programmes typically grant citizenship within several months of application approval, subject to due diligence. Programmes in São Tomé and Príncipe and Vanuatu can be faster.
A Caribbean citizenship offers different mobility advantages than a Portuguese one, but second citizenship is not chosen solely for travel — investors also consider asset diversification and a backup option.
What should investors do?
Portugal remains a strong option for investors who plan to live, invest, or build long-term ties with the European Union — particularly through the Golden Visa and other residence permits. From 19 May 2026 it is no longer a fast route to citizenship for non-CPLP, non-EU nationals.
Investors with nationality applications filed on or before 18 May 2026 are protected by Artigo 7.º.2 and continue to be processed under the prior 5-year regime.
Investors at the residency stage — including Golden Visa holders without a pending nationality application — should plan for the new 7- or 10-year horizon and monitor AIMA guidance and the forthcoming Regulamento da Nacionalidade for any clarification on transitional treatment.
The right path depends on each investor’s nationality, goals, family plans, timeline, and priorities. Immigrant Invest lawyers can assess your situation and advise on the most suitable route.
