Lisbon May 12, 2026 — A proposal allowing the loss of Portuguese nationality for naturalized citizens convicted of serious crimes may still advance in the Assembly of the Republic, but constitutional experts say it would require approval by a two-thirds parliamentary majority due to potential conflicts with the Constitution.
The debate intensified after Portugal’s Constitutional Court again ruled that removing nationality as a criminal penalty is unconstitutional, arguing that citizenship cannot automatically be withdrawn as an accessory punishment following criminal convictions.
Despite the legal setback, parties supporting tougher nationality rules continue defending the measure, while critics warn it could violate constitutional principles of equality, proportionality, and protection of fundamental rights. Legal specialists also note that any constitutional amendment affecting citizenship would require broad political consensus in parliament.
The controversy comes amid wider reforms to Portugal’s nationality law, recently promulgated by President António José Seguro, who also warned against retroactive effects on pending applications and stressed the importance of protecting trust in the State and legal certainty.