by Nazir Ahmed
The recent talk from Portugal’s center-right coalition about changing the nationality law seems more like a political message for voters than a serious plan. The idea of extending the minimum residency requirement from 5 to 10 years and demanding stricter physical presence rules sounds firm on paper—but in reality, it’s highly unlikely to move forward.
While the proposed changes appear in the 2025 electoral program, there’s no official draft law, no parliamentary debate, and no timeline. It’s the kind of announcement that usually surfaces around election time—meant to send a message to conservative supporters rather than to become law.
Changes to laws in Portugal must be approved by the Assembly of the Republic (Parliament). The required number of votes depends on the nature of the amendment:
- Ordinary Law Amendments: Most changes to the Nationality Law can be enacted through an ordinary legislative process, requiring a simple majority of the deputies present during the vote.
- Organic Law Amendments: If the amendment pertains to fundamental aspects of the law, it may be classified as an organic law, necessitating an absolute majority—that is, more than half of all sitting deputies (at least 116 out of 230)—for approval.
- Constitutional Amendments: Should the proposed changes involve altering the Constitution itself, a two-thirds majority (at least 154 out of 230 deputies) is required.
To change Portugal’s nationality law, a government needs more than a political wish. It must pass through Parliament as an “organic law,” which means gathering an absolute majority of votes—over half of all sitting members. With the current political divisions in Parliament, this is extremely difficult to achieve.
What’s more, previous governments, including those from the same political background, have made efforts to simplify the path to citizenship—not restrict it. Portugal’s aging population and shrinking workforce are strong reasons why easier access to citizenship was encouraged in the first place. Any move to tighten the rules would go against this long-term national interest.
Many immigrant communities are already dealing with slow and complicated processes just to live and work legally in Portugal. Adding stricter nationality rules—especially after years of fulfilling all obligations—would be unfair and widely opposed. It would likely face serious pushback from immigrant organizations, civil society, and possibly from within Parliament itself.
Even if such a proposal were to start the legislative process, it would take over a year to pass, and would almost certainly include transition periods for those already in Portugal. That means no immediate impact, and a high chance of the proposal being delayed, softened, or even dropped altogether.
In the end, these announcements may sound strong, but the real picture shows that this is more about elections than real reform. Immigrants who have been building lives, families, and futures in Portugal shouldn’t be discouraged by political noise. The path to citizenship is still based on long-standing laws that value integration, not isolation.
Could Chega Support PSD in Changing the Nationality Law?
Yes, in theory, Chega might support PSD (Social Democratic Party) if a proposal to tighten nationality laws is brought to Parliament—because Chega has consistently taken a hardline stance on immigration and national identity issues. They’ve often called for stricter controls, longer residency requirements, and even more selective criteria for granting Portuguese nationality.
However, here’s why that support may not be enough or guaranteed to make changes happen:
1. Not Enough Votes Alone
Even if PSD and Chega were to align on this issue, they may not have enough parliamentary votes to pass an “organic law” change like altering the nationality law. These laws require an absolute majority (at least 116 votes out of 230 in the Assembleia da República). This means:
- Minority support isn’t enough.
- Other centrist or left-leaning parties would likely oppose the changes, especially given Portugal’s tradition of inclusive immigration policies.
2. Risk of Political Backlash
If PSD openly aligns with Chega for such a sensitive change, it could damage PSD’s image as a mainstream, moderate party. Many within PSD would resist being seen as echoing far-right positions, especially on topics like immigration or nationality. This could:
- Split the PSD internally.
- Push centrist voters or MPs away from such a proposal.
- Trigger national and international criticism.
3. Portugal’s Legal and Social Culture
Portugal has historically had progressive and humanitarian immigration policies, especially compared to other EU countries. The courts, civil society, and even institutions like the President of the Republic may raise objections to any rushed or harsh reforms.
Changes would face:
- Public debate
- Legal scrutiny
- Strong opposition from immigrant communities and advocacy groups
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