The government will propose to the Parliament that citizens of CPLP countries must have resided in Portugal for seven years to apply for nationality. The period for citizens of other countries should be ten years.
The Government approved this Monday in the Council of Ministers a bill that increases the minimum period of residence to obtain Portuguese nationality. For citizens of Portuguese-speaking countries, the period will increase from five years to seven years, while for citizens of other countries this period will increase to ten years. The diploma that amends the nationality law will now be submitted to the Assembly of the Republic.
“[The proposal increases the] minimum period of legal residence to qualify for obtaining nationality, making a distinction, with a period of seven years for citizens of Portuguese-speaking countries and ten years for citizens of other countries” , announced the Minister of the Presidency, António Leitão Amaro, at a press conference.
As explained by the governor, these deadlines will begin to count from the moment the residence permit is obtained , and not from the moment the citizen expresses this desire.
On the other hand, Leitão Amaro explained that, in this naturalization process, knowledge of the Portuguese language and culture will also be required , in addition to knowledge of the fundamental rights and duties inherent to Portuguese nationality .
Furthermore, when applying for naturalization, the citizen will have to make a solemn declaration of adherence to the principles of the democratic rule of law , according to the proposal that will now go to Parliament.
At the Council of Ministers on Monday, the Government also approved a bill that amends the nationality law, with regard to descendants , requiring parents to have completed a minimum residency period of three years before the descendant can apply. Furthermore, the minister stressed, nationality will only be granted to descendants if they express this wish , and not automatically.
Asked whether these limitations apply to applications that are already being processed, the Minister of the Presidency clarified that “the logic is to apply them in the future, to new processes ”. The exception is applications for derivative citizenship, since the proposed law provides that the changes will apply to applications submitted from June 19th.
Another proposal approved on Monday is the creation of a foreigners and borders unit within the PSP . The previous government presented this proposal to Parliament, but it was rejected. The new government of Luís Montenegro will now insist, with the Minister of the Presidency assuring that the country really needs a border police force.
“The solution is not to create the SEF from scratch. It is not to transform the AIMA into a police force. The solution is to create a national unit for foreigners and borders within the PSP ,” Leitão Amaro assured journalists.
The Government also wants to make changes to family reunification , proposing that this will only be possible through a consular visa application. This request will only be possible if the immigrant has been in Portugal for at least two years with a residence permit . It should also be noted that, in the case of minors, the vacancy system will continue.
On the other hand, António Leitão Amaro added that, regarding residence permits for citizens of Portuguese -speaking countries , the possibility of applying for them will be limited to those who have a residence visa . “This means that with this decision it will no longer be possible to apply for CPLP residence permits in national territory only with a tourist visa or visa exemption ”, announced the minister.
Regarding the set of measures approved this Monday, the same minister said that these are “ important changes ”, which are guided by the principle that “ regulation must be firm and humanistic ”.
“There is clearly a strengthening of the requirement for effective connection to the national community and the country, which allows the granting of political rights to those who are nationals. There is a strengthening of the requirement, always guided by constitutional respect ”, highlighted the Minister of the Presidency.