How Many Days Until Portugal’s New Nationality Law Becomes Official? The Timetable from Parliament to the Constitutional Court

The Nationality Law has been approved by Parliament — but it’s not law yet.
Before it reaches the Diário da República and takes effect, the reform must travel through the corridors of the Presidency and, possibly, the Constitutional Court.

Here’s a clear look at how many days each step can take, whether the law is approved, vetoed, or sent for constitutional review, and what that means for those waiting to apply for Portuguese citizenship.

Step 1 — From Parliament to the President: Around One Week

After a law is approved by the Assembly of the Republic, parliamentary staff prepare the final consolidated version (texto final) with all amendments.
This takes five to ten working days.

The President of the Assembly then signs it and sends it to President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.
So, the law typically arrives at the Presidency about a week after the final vote.

Step 2 — The President’s Decision Window: 20 Days

According to Article 136 of the Portuguese Constitution, once the law reaches the President, he has 20 days to act.
He can:

Promulgate it (approve and send for publication).
Veto it politically (send it back to Parliament with a message).
Send it to the Constitutional Court for a preventive review of constitutionality.

If the President takes no action within 20 days, it’s considered approved automatically — though that almost never happens in politically sensitive cases.

Step 3 — If Sent to the Constitutional Court: Add Up to 25 Days

Should the President ask the Tribunal Constitucional to review the law, the Court has 25 days to issue a decision (Article 278, paragraph 3 of the Constitution).
The Court can:

Declare the law constitutional → the President must promulgate it.
Declare parts unconstitutional → Parliament must correct or withdraw those parts.

So, if this happens, the total time from approval to final signature could stretch to 45–55 days.

Step 4 — Publication and Entry into Force

Once promulgated, the law is published in the Diário da República within a few days.
It normally comes into force the day after publication, unless the law specifies another effective date.

Pending nationality applications continue under the old rules, as the approved text’s transitional article makes clear.

Why This Matters

For thousands waiting to apply for Portuguese citizenship, these few weeks are decisive.
If you’ve completed your five years of residence under the old rules, it’s still possible to apply before the new law takes effect.
But once it’s published, the new seven- and ten-year residence periods will apply to all future applications.

What happens in the next 20 days will shape not only this law, but the pace of Portugal’s entire immigration debate.
The President’s choice — to sign, to veto, or to question the Constitution — will decide whether the reform becomes a law of the land or a case for the Court.