Portugal citizenship after 10 years: the 2026 nationality law

Portugal amended its Nationality Law through Lei Orgânica n.º 1/2026. It was published on 18 May 2026 and has been in force since 19 May 2026.

• Before: 5 years of legal residence, for everyone.
• Now: 10 years for most nationals of countries outside the EU.
• 7 years for EU nationals and for nationals of Portuguese-speaking (CPLP) countries, such as Brazil.

For most people moving from the UAE, including Indian, Pakistani, British, Egyptian, Lebanese, Filipino and Emirati nationals, the figure is 10 years.

Applications made before the change

Only applications already pending when the new law came into force stay under the old rules. If you lived in Portugal but had not applied by then, including as a D7 or D8 holder, the new rules apply to you.

The Portugal D-Visa is where your path starts, and our guide to applying from the UAE covers that first step. From there, the steps look like this:

The D8 also comes as a temporary-stay visa of up to 1 year. It does not count toward residence, so it does not start this path.

This is the part that is not settled.

• The law counts legal residence: time in Portugal with your situation in order, under a residence title, visa or authorisation.
• An earlier rule that counted from the date you applied for your residence permit has been revoked.
• It is not yet clear whether the months on your D7 or D8 visa, or the wait for your AIMA card, will count. Sources disagree, and official guidance has not been published.
• Separate periods of residence can be added together. For most non-EU nationals, they must fall within a 12-year window.

Our advice: plan on 10 years from your first residence permit. If earlier time turns out to count, that is a bonus.

Under the new law, applicants must also:

• show, by test or certificate, sufficient knowledge of the Portuguese language and culture, history and national symbols
• know the fundamental rights and duties of citizens and how the Portuguese state is organised
• make a solemn declaration of adherence to the principles of the democratic rule of law
• be able to support themselves
• meet character and security conditions, including no prison sentence of more than 3 years for serious crimes

The details of the tests are set by a regulation. The Government approved it on 29 October 2026, but as of November 2026 the exact level and format have not been published.

Decisions on citizenship are made by the Portuguese authorities, case by case.

The rules for permanent residence did not change in 2026. After 5 years of temporary residence, you can apply to AIMA if you:

• have basic Portuguese (A2)
• still have the means to support yourself and a home in Portugal
• are up to date with tax and social security
• have no prison sentence of more than 1 year in the last 5 years

The permanent residence card is renewed every 5 years. It is not citizenship, but it gives you a stable status while you work toward the 10 years. EU long-term resident status is another option after 5 years.

• Live in Portugal. The D7 and D8 are residence routes. Long absences can put your permit at risk and may affect your count.
• Renew on time. Renewals are not automatic, and a gap in your papers can leave a gap in your legal residence.
• Keep your records. Residence cards, leases, tax returns and social security records all help you prove your years.
• Start Portuguese early. You need A2 for permanent residence, and citizenship adds tests on language, culture and civics.
• Check your other passport. Portugal allows dual nationality, but some countries do not. Check your own country's rules with a qualified adviser before you apply.
• Move as a family. Each family member counts their own years of residence, so applying together usually means everyone starts at about the same time. Our family guide explains how.

• Whether time on the D7 or D8 visa, and the wait for the AIMA card, counts toward the 10 years.
• The level and format of the language, culture and civics tests.
• How the new rules will be applied in practice, until official guidance is published.

Laws and practice can change. We update this guide as official guidance is published.

VisaHelm is an independent private company. We are not affiliated with any government, embassy, VFS Global or AIMA. We don't give legal advice, and decisions are made only by the Portuguese authorities.

• We help you apply for your D7 or D8 visa and your first residence permit, the start of your years in Portugal.
• We map your timeline from visa to permanent residence and citizenship, under the current rules.
• We prepare your AIMA appointment for your residence permit, and follow it up.

For questions about your own nationality case, or about tax, speak to a qualified adviser.

Use the eligibility calculator to see whether you qualify for the D7 or D8. Read the D7 visa and D8 visa pages, or compare them in our D7 vs D8 guide. Then book a free 15-minute call to map your path to permanent residence and citizenship.