A new law has made it possible for Brazilians to acquire Portuguese citizenship more expeditiously.
Here are the main points:
1. Foreign nationals residing in Portugal for five years can now apply for Portuguese citizenship.
2. The time spent waiting for authorization will be considered as legal residency in Portugal.
3. Brazilians, the largest foreign nationality group, are expected to benefit greatly from this law change.
Starting in April, the process for foreign nationals to become Portuguese citizens will be simplified due to a new law that reduces the residency requirement. Portugal's Nationality Law mandates a minimum of five years of residency for foreigners to qualify for citizenship. The recent amendments now count the waiting period for authorization, previously up to three years, as part of the residency time, making the process more efficient.
This law will particularly impact thousands of Brazilian nationals, the largest foreign nationality group in Portugal. Many Brazilians who applied for Portuguese citizenship in 2019 and were initially granted only a residence permit will now be eligible for citizenship. The law also stipulates language proficiency requirements for immigrants, except those from Portuguese-speaking countries and Equatorial Guinea, who need to demonstrate at least an A2 level in Portuguese.
Moreover, descendants of Portuguese Sephardic Jews can obtain citizenship by proving their connections to Portuguese society, with certificates issued by recognized Jewish communities serving as evidence. However, these certificates must be approved by a specific evaluation committee. Additionally, Sephardic Jewish descendants must have legal residence in Portugal for three years before applying for citizenship.
Notably, individuals convicted of serious crimes, including terrorism, violence, or organized crime, are ineligible for Portuguese citizenship under the new law. The legislation empowers the state to deny citizenship to those deemed a threat to national security.