Lisbon, June 12, 2025 – In a sweeping legislative push to redefine the boundaries of Portuguese citizenship, the right-wing political party CHEGA has tabled a bill in Parliament aimed at restricting access to Portuguese nationality and reintroducing mechanisms for its revocation in specific cases. The proposed law, if enacted, will mark a significant shift from the country's traditionally inclusive stance on naturalization and birthright citizenship.
The Essence of the Bill
Formally titled Projeto de Lei n.º 20/XVII/1.ª, the draft law seeks to amend Law No. 37/81 (the Nationality Law) by introducing stricter eligibility criteria and the possibility of stripping naturalized citizens of their nationality under certain conditions.
In the preamble to the bill, CHEGA frames Portuguese nationality as a "legal, cultural, and historical bond" that transcends mere legal status. The party argues that recent years have seen a "facilitation" in the granting of nationality — often without a genuine evaluation of the applicant's integration, cultural alignment, or loyalty to the Portuguese state.
“Portuguese nationality is not a reward for civic compliance but the culmination of a sincere integration process,” reads the bill's rationale.
Key Changes Proposed
The bill introduces several significant amendments, notably:
🔹 Stricter Residency Requirements:
Children born in Portugal to foreign parents must now have at least 6 or 10 years of legal residence, depending on whether the parents are from Portuguese-speaking countries.
🔹 Revised Criteria for Naturalization:
To qualify, applicants must:
Reside in Portugal for 6–10 years
Demonstrate proficiency in the Portuguese language
Pass a National Integration and Citizenship Test
Have no criminal record involving terrorism, violent or organized crime
🔹 Restored Loss-of-Nationality Clause:
Naturalized citizens could lose their citizenship if they:
Are convicted of crimes with sentences over 3 years
Are involved in terrorism or crimes against national security
Publicly insult or incite hatred against Portugal’s national history or symbols
Nationalism vs. Integration?
Critics warn that this bill reflects a rising nationalist sentiment in Portugal, where far-right parties like CHEGA are gaining momentum by championing issues of immigration control and national identity.
Supporters, however, argue that the law is long overdue, noting that Portugal has become one of Europe’s most permissive nations in granting citizenship. They assert that nationality should be earned, not merely granted through administrative formality.
Test on Portuguese Identity
A unique aspect of the bill is the "National Integration and Citizenship Test", which will include multiple-choice questions on Portuguese history, democratic values, and cultural norms. The government is expected to regulate and publish the test format within 30 days of the law's enactment.
When Will It Take Effect?
The bill states that, if approved, the new law would come into force the day after its publication in the official journal, Diário da República.
The proposed legislation lands at a politically sensitive time. With elections looming, debates around migration, sovereignty, and national loyalty are at the forefront of political discourse. CHEGA’s bill adds fuel to this fire, potentially appealing to conservative voters while drawing criticism from civil rights groups and integration advocates.
Whether this bill becomes law remains to be seen, but it has already ignited national conversation about what it means to be Portuguese in the 21st century — and who has the right to claim that identity.