Lisbon, 11 November 2025: The parliamentary decrees revising the Lei n.º 37/81 (Nationality Law) and introducing a new ground for loss of nationality have officially been forwarded to the office of Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa at the Palácio de Belém.
There are two decrees: one that provides for the loss of nationality as an accessory penalty in cases of serious crimes, and another that amends several articles, including the one that makes it no longer possible for parents to apply for nationality for babies born in the country.
The two bills that amend several requirements for obtaining Portuguese nationality are already on President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa's desk . The final version of the laws was sent to Belém Palace on Tuesday, November 11, according to information available on the Parliament's website.
Now, the clock starts ticking: there are eight days for possible referral to the Constitutional Court (TC) or up to 20 days for promulgation or veto — the latter with virtually no chance, given the large majority achieved in Parliament in approving the proposals.
The laws, backed by the PSD, Chega, IL, CDS-PP and JPP, passed in a final vote on 28 October 2025 (157 in favour, 64 against). Opposed by PS, Livre, PCP, BE and PAN, the reforms now face the President’s eight-day review window.
Because the reform altering the Nationality Law is classed as an organic law, the President must allow at least eight days after receipt before promulgation—or he may refer it to the Tribunal Constitucional for preventive assessment.
Key changes include:
- A longer residency period for non-Portuguese nationals to acquire citizenship.
- Stricter criteria for those born in Portugal to claim nationality.
- A separate decree also approved empowers nationality loss as an accessory penalty for foreign nationals or dual citizens sentenced to at least four years’ imprisonment.
With the documents now at the Presidency, all eyes turn to Belém: will the President sign, veto or submit the law for constitutional review?