[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"blog-article-local-portuguese-citizenship-after-5-years-of-residency-what-to-expect":3,"$fHZsWYl_LcdVZ5GxKwtR-ZqvCZbbUdo2_Fi6R_GQKiQM":4,"blog-article-cms-portuguese-citizenship-after-5-years-of-residency-what-to-expect":6,"article-hreflang-portuguese-citizenship-after-5-years-of-residency-what-to-expect":830,"blog-article-related-portuguese-citizenship-after-5-years-of-residency-what-to-expect":831},null,{"approximate_member_count":5},20619,{"id":7,"documentId":8,"title":9,"description":10,"timestampUnix":11,"slug":12,"h1":13,"image":14,"tags":19,"lang":3,"body":23,"createdAt":824,"updatedAt":825,"publishedAt":826,"category":827,"featured":828,"timestamp":829,"locale":-1,"_dir":827},8631,"lb5wjnnjyez29td4p8yzgh5i","Portuguese Citizenship After 5 Years: 2026 Guide","How to apply for Portuguese citizenship after 5 years of residency in 2026, including documents, fees, language tests, and the new law transition.","1779348000000","portuguese-citizenship-after-5-years-of-residency-what-to-expect","Portuguese Citizenship After 5 Years of Residency: What to Expect",{"alt":13,"src":15,"width":16,"height":17,"previewOnly":18},"https:\u002F\u002Fmigaku-cms-assets.migaku.com\u002Flisbon_skyline_0d4f5ceedc\u002Flisbon_skyline_0d4f5ceedc.jpg",1000,601,false,[20,21,22],"resources","culture","deepdive",{"data":24,"body":27,"toc":813},{"title":25,"description":26},"","If you have been a legal resident of Portugal for five years, you may be eligible to apply for Portuguese citizenship by naturalization, though the rules are in active transition as of May 2026 and the window for the five-year route is closing for most non-EU applicants. This guide walks through eligibility, documents, fees, timelines, and the legislative changes you need to understand before filing.",{"type":28,"children":29},"root",[30,37,46,50,57,62,67,72,87,92,105,110,115,121,126,159,164,180,186,191,216,221,244,249,254,260,265,423,428,434,446,451,490,502,514,520,525,575,581,586,673,695,701,715,728,741,754,767,780,793,807],{"type":31,"tag":32,"props":33,"children":34},"element","p",{},[35],{"type":36,"value":26},"text",{"type":31,"tag":32,"props":38,"children":39},{},[40],{"type":31,"tag":41,"props":42,"children":43},"em",{},[44],{"type":36,"value":45},"Last updated: May 21, 2026",{"type":31,"tag":47,"props":48,"children":49},"toc",{},[],{"type":31,"tag":51,"props":52,"children":54},"h2",{"id":53},"the-5-year-rule-where-it-stands-in-may-2026",[55],{"type":36,"value":56},"The 5-Year Rule: Where It Stands in May 2026",{"type":31,"tag":32,"props":58,"children":59},{},[60],{"type":36,"value":61},"Portugal's nationality framework is governed by Lei n.º 37\u002F81, as amended, and managed by the Conservatória dos Registos Centrais under the Instituto dos Registos e do Notariado (IRN). Until very recently, almost any foreign national who had held legal residency for five years could apply for citizenship by naturalization.",{"type":31,"tag":32,"props":63,"children":64},{},[65],{"type":36,"value":66},"That changed in 2025-2026. After a draft reform was partially struck down by Portugal's Constitutional Court (Acórdão 1133\u002F2025, December 15, 2025) for failing to provide an adequate transitional regime, Parliament approved a revised Nationality Law on April 1, 2026 by a 152-64 vote. President António José Seguro promulgated the new text (Decree No. 48\u002FXVII) on May 3, 2026.",{"type":31,"tag":32,"props":68,"children":69},{},[70],{"type":36,"value":71},"As of May 21, 2026, the revised law is awaiting publication in the Diário da República. Until that publication date:",{"type":31,"tag":73,"props":74,"children":75},"ul",{},[76,82],{"type":31,"tag":77,"props":78,"children":79},"li",{},[80],{"type":36,"value":81},"The existing five-year regime continues to apply.",{"type":31,"tag":77,"props":83,"children":84},{},[85],{"type":36,"value":86},"Any citizenship application already filed with the IRN before the entry-into-force date will be decided under the previous five-year rules.",{"type":31,"tag":32,"props":88,"children":89},{},[90],{"type":36,"value":91},"Once the new law enters into force, the residency threshold rises:",{"type":31,"tag":73,"props":93,"children":94},{},[95,100],{"type":31,"tag":77,"props":96,"children":97},{},[98],{"type":36,"value":99},"10 years for most non-EU nationals (Americans, Britons, Canadians, Indians, etc.).",{"type":31,"tag":77,"props":101,"children":102},{},[103],{"type":36,"value":104},"7 years for EU citizens and CPLP nationals (Brazil, Angola, Mozambique, Cape Verde, São Tomé and Príncipe, Guinea-Bissau, Timor-Leste, Equatorial Guinea).",{"type":31,"tag":32,"props":106,"children":107},{},[108],{"type":36,"value":109},"The residency clock will also start later under the new law, beginning when AIMA actually issues the residence permit rather than from the date the permit was requested. Under the prior regime (confirmed by Lei Orgânica n.º 1\u002F2024), the clock ran from the date the temporary residence permit was requested, which mattered a great deal given AIMA processing delays.",{"type":31,"tag":32,"props":111,"children":112},{},[113],{"type":36,"value":114},"In practical terms: if your five years are already complete, or will complete before the new law is published, file as soon as your file is ready. Pending applications are protected.",{"type":31,"tag":51,"props":116,"children":118},{"id":117},"who-is-eligible-under-the-five-year-route",[119],{"type":36,"value":120},"Who Is Eligible Under the Five-Year Route",{"type":31,"tag":32,"props":122,"children":123},{},[124],{"type":36,"value":125},"To apply for citizenship by naturalization under the existing five-year framework, you must meet all of the following:",{"type":31,"tag":73,"props":127,"children":128},{},[129,134,139,144,149,154],{"type":31,"tag":77,"props":130,"children":131},{},[132],{"type":36,"value":133},"Be at least 18 years old (or legally emancipated under Portuguese law).",{"type":31,"tag":77,"props":135,"children":136},{},[137],{"type":36,"value":138},"Hold legal residency in Portugal for at least five years, counted from the date your temporary residence permit was requested. Time on a student residence permit counts at a reduced ratio under the prior rules; verify your exact situation with the IRN.",{"type":31,"tag":77,"props":140,"children":141},{},[142],{"type":36,"value":143},"Demonstrate sufficient knowledge of the Portuguese language at A2 level (CEFR).",{"type":31,"tag":77,"props":145,"children":146},{},[147],{"type":36,"value":148},"Show effective ties to the national community.",{"type":31,"tag":77,"props":150,"children":151},{},[152],{"type":36,"value":153},"Have no conviction carrying a prison sentence of three years or more under Portuguese law, whether served in Portugal or abroad.",{"type":31,"tag":77,"props":155,"children":156},{},[157],{"type":36,"value":158},"Not pose a danger or threat to national security, including any link to terrorism as defined by Portuguese law.",{"type":31,"tag":32,"props":160,"children":161},{},[162],{"type":36,"value":163},"The residence permits that count toward the five years include the standard work, family reunification, D7 (passive income), D8 (digital nomad), D2 (entrepreneur), student (at a reduced rate), and Golden Visa (ARI) permits, provided they are valid and uninterrupted in the legal sense.",{"type":31,"tag":32,"props":165,"children":166},{},[167,169,178],{"type":36,"value":168},"Note on Golden Visa investors: even with the five-year residency rule technically running, the combined effect of AIMA appointment delays and the new naturalization framework could push effective timelines to 9-13 years for new investors entering the program in 2026. For more on this, see ",{"type":31,"tag":170,"props":171,"children":175},"a",{"href":172,"rel":173},"https:\u002F\u002Fmigaku.com\u002Fblog\u002Flanguage-fun\u002Fportugal-golden-visa-changes-in-2026-what-investors-need-to-know",[174],"nofollow",[176],{"type":36,"value":177},"Portugal Golden Visa Changes in 2026",{"type":36,"value":179},".",{"type":31,"tag":51,"props":181,"children":183},{"id":182},"the-a2-language-requirement",[184],{"type":36,"value":185},"The A2 Language Requirement",{"type":31,"tag":32,"props":187,"children":188},{},[189],{"type":36,"value":190},"A2-level Portuguese is a hard requirement, not a recommendation. There are two accepted ways to prove it:",{"type":31,"tag":192,"props":193,"children":194},"ol",{},[195,206],{"type":31,"tag":77,"props":196,"children":197},{},[198,204],{"type":31,"tag":199,"props":200,"children":201},"strong",{},[202],{"type":36,"value":203},"CIPLE (Certificado Inicial de Português Língua Estrangeira)",{"type":36,"value":205},", the official A2 exam administered by CAPLE at the Faculty of Letters of the University of Lisbon.",{"type":31,"tag":77,"props":207,"children":208},{},[209,214],{"type":31,"tag":199,"props":210,"children":211},{},[212],{"type":36,"value":213},"PLA (Português Language Assessment)",{"type":36,"value":215},", a course of at least 150 hours run by an accredited institution. The certificate of completion is accepted by AIMA and the IRN.",{"type":31,"tag":32,"props":217,"children":218},{},[219],{"type":36,"value":220},"CIPLE details to know:",{"type":31,"tag":73,"props":222,"children":223},{},[224,229,234,239],{"type":31,"tag":77,"props":225,"children":226},{},[227],{"type":36,"value":228},"Pass threshold: at least 55 points out of 100, with a minimum of 11 in each of the three sections (reading and writing, listening, speaking).",{"type":31,"tag":77,"props":230,"children":231},{},[232],{"type":36,"value":233},"Three exam sessions are held in 2026: May, July, and November.",{"type":31,"tag":77,"props":235,"children":236},{},[237],{"type":36,"value":238},"Registration opens roughly three months before each session.",{"type":31,"tag":77,"props":240,"children":241},{},[242],{"type":36,"value":243},"The exam fee is approximately €72 to €75 per person, depending on the session and venue.",{"type":31,"tag":32,"props":245,"children":246},{},[247],{"type":36,"value":248},"CPLP nationals (Brazilians, Angolans, Cape Verdeans, etc.) are exempt from the language requirement, since Portuguese is their official language. Citizens of other lusophone territories should confirm exemption status with the IRN.",{"type":31,"tag":32,"props":250,"children":251},{},[252],{"type":36,"value":253},"The revised law also introduces a civic and historical knowledge assessment (sometimes referenced as the Teste Nacional de Integração e Cidadania) and a formal declaration of commitment to democratic principles. The exact format, syllabus, and passing threshold for the civic test have not been published as of May 21, 2026. Implementing regulations are expected within 90 days of the law's publication in the Diário da República. Watch the IRN site (irn.justica.gov.pt) and gov.pt for the official decree.",{"type":31,"tag":51,"props":255,"children":257},{"id":256},"document-checklist",[258],{"type":36,"value":259},"Document Checklist",{"type":31,"tag":32,"props":261,"children":262},{},[263],{"type":36,"value":264},"The core documents required for a naturalization application filed at an IRN counter or a Portuguese consulate include:",{"type":31,"tag":266,"props":267,"children":268},"table",{},[269,288],{"type":31,"tag":270,"props":271,"children":272},"thead",{},[273],{"type":31,"tag":274,"props":275,"children":276},"tr",{},[277,283],{"type":31,"tag":278,"props":279,"children":280},"th",{},[281],{"type":36,"value":282},"Document",{"type":31,"tag":278,"props":284,"children":285},{},[286],{"type":36,"value":287},"Notes",{"type":31,"tag":289,"props":290,"children":291},"tbody",{},[292,306,319,332,345,358,371,384,397,410],{"type":31,"tag":274,"props":293,"children":294},{},[295,301],{"type":31,"tag":296,"props":297,"children":298},"td",{},[299],{"type":36,"value":300},"Naturalization application form",{"type":31,"tag":296,"props":302,"children":303},{},[304],{"type":36,"value":305},"The current model is available from the IRN.",{"type":31,"tag":274,"props":307,"children":308},{},[309,314],{"type":31,"tag":296,"props":310,"children":311},{},[312],{"type":36,"value":313},"Valid passport",{"type":31,"tag":296,"props":315,"children":316},{},[317],{"type":36,"value":318},"Plus a copy of all used pages.",{"type":31,"tag":274,"props":320,"children":321},{},[322,327],{"type":31,"tag":296,"props":323,"children":324},{},[325],{"type":36,"value":326},"Portuguese residence permit (Título de Residência)",{"type":31,"tag":296,"props":328,"children":329},{},[330],{"type":36,"value":331},"All current and prior permits covering the five-year period.",{"type":31,"tag":274,"props":333,"children":334},{},[335,340],{"type":31,"tag":296,"props":336,"children":337},{},[338],{"type":36,"value":339},"Birth certificate",{"type":31,"tag":296,"props":341,"children":342},{},[343],{"type":36,"value":344},"Full long-form, translated into Portuguese by a certified translator, and apostilled or legalized via the issuing country's foreign ministry.",{"type":31,"tag":274,"props":346,"children":347},{},[348,353],{"type":31,"tag":296,"props":349,"children":350},{},[351],{"type":36,"value":352},"Criminal record certificate from Portugal",{"type":31,"tag":296,"props":354,"children":355},{},[356],{"type":36,"value":357},"Issued by the Direção-Geral da Administração da Justiça (or requested by the IRN directly).",{"type":31,"tag":274,"props":359,"children":360},{},[361,366],{"type":31,"tag":296,"props":362,"children":363},{},[364],{"type":36,"value":365},"Criminal record certificate from your country of citizenship",{"type":31,"tag":296,"props":367,"children":368},{},[369],{"type":36,"value":370},"And from every country where you have lived for more than one year since age 16. Translated and apostilled.",{"type":31,"tag":274,"props":372,"children":373},{},[374,379],{"type":31,"tag":296,"props":375,"children":376},{},[377],{"type":36,"value":378},"Proof of A2 Portuguese",{"type":31,"tag":296,"props":380,"children":381},{},[382],{"type":36,"value":383},"CIPLE certificate or PLA course completion certificate.",{"type":31,"tag":274,"props":385,"children":386},{},[387,392],{"type":31,"tag":296,"props":388,"children":389},{},[390],{"type":36,"value":391},"Proof of effective ties to Portugal",{"type":31,"tag":296,"props":393,"children":394},{},[395],{"type":36,"value":396},"Tax records (NIF, IRS filings), social security history, NHS\u002FSNS registration, rental contracts or property deed, utility bills, etc.",{"type":31,"tag":274,"props":398,"children":399},{},[400,405],{"type":31,"tag":296,"props":401,"children":402},{},[403],{"type":36,"value":404},"Tax residency confirmation",{"type":31,"tag":296,"props":406,"children":407},{},[408],{"type":36,"value":409},"Recent IRS submissions (Modelo 3) from Autoridade Tributária.",{"type":31,"tag":274,"props":411,"children":412},{},[413,418],{"type":31,"tag":296,"props":414,"children":415},{},[416],{"type":36,"value":417},"Marriage or civil union certificate",{"type":31,"tag":296,"props":419,"children":420},{},[421],{"type":36,"value":422},"If applicable, translated and apostilled.",{"type":31,"tag":32,"props":424,"children":425},{},[426],{"type":36,"value":427},"All foreign-issued documents must be apostilled (for Hague Convention countries) or legalized at the Portuguese consulate, and translated into Portuguese by a translator recognized by a Portuguese notary, a chamber of commerce, or the consulate.",{"type":31,"tag":51,"props":429,"children":431},{"id":430},"fees-where-to-file-and-processing-times",[432],{"type":36,"value":433},"Fees, Where to File, and Processing Times",{"type":31,"tag":32,"props":435,"children":436},{},[437,439,444],{"type":36,"value":438},"The official fee for a naturalization application submitted at an IRN counter is ",{"type":31,"tag":199,"props":440,"children":441},{},[442],{"type":36,"value":443},"€250",{"type":36,"value":445},", payable by debit card at the time of submission, according to the gov.pt portal. There is no separate state stamp duty for the application itself, though notary, translation, and apostille costs can add several hundred euros.",{"type":31,"tag":32,"props":447,"children":448},{},[449],{"type":36,"value":450},"You can submit the application at:",{"type":31,"tag":73,"props":452,"children":453},{},[454,466,478],{"type":31,"tag":77,"props":455,"children":456},{},[457,459,464],{"type":36,"value":458},"Any ",{"type":31,"tag":199,"props":460,"children":461},{},[462],{"type":36,"value":463},"Conservatória do Registo Civil",{"type":36,"value":465}," that handles nationality files.",{"type":31,"tag":77,"props":467,"children":468},{},[469,471,476],{"type":36,"value":470},"The ",{"type":31,"tag":199,"props":472,"children":473},{},[474],{"type":36,"value":475},"Instituto dos Registos e do Notariado (IRN) Loja do Cidadão",{"type":36,"value":477}," counters in major cities.",{"type":31,"tag":77,"props":479,"children":480},{},[481,483,488],{"type":36,"value":482},"A ",{"type":31,"tag":199,"props":484,"children":485},{},[486],{"type":36,"value":487},"Portuguese consulate abroad",{"type":36,"value":489},", if you are temporarily outside Portugal.",{"type":31,"tag":32,"props":491,"children":492},{},[493,495,500],{"type":36,"value":494},"Files are ultimately decided by the ",{"type":31,"tag":199,"props":496,"children":497},{},[498],{"type":36,"value":499},"Conservatória dos Registos Centrais",{"type":36,"value":501}," in Lisbon.",{"type":31,"tag":32,"props":503,"children":504},{},[505,507,512],{"type":36,"value":506},"Processing time as of 2026 is generally ",{"type":31,"tag":199,"props":508,"children":509},{},[510],{"type":36,"value":511},"12 to 18 months",{"type":36,"value":513}," from filing to decision, although complex files or those requiring additional security checks can take longer. Once approved, your citizenship is registered, and you can then apply for a Portuguese passport at any IRN office or Loja do Cidadão. Portuguese passports currently provide visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to approximately 188 destinations.",{"type":31,"tag":51,"props":515,"children":517},{"id":516},"special-pathways-that-still-exist-alongside-the-five-year-route",[518],{"type":36,"value":519},"Special Pathways That Still Exist Alongside the Five-Year Route",{"type":31,"tag":32,"props":521,"children":522},{},[523],{"type":36,"value":524},"Not everyone needs to wait for residency to qualify. Several alternative pathways remain under the 2026 framework:",{"type":31,"tag":73,"props":526,"children":527},{},[528,538,548,558],{"type":31,"tag":77,"props":529,"children":530},{},[531,536],{"type":31,"tag":199,"props":532,"children":533},{},[534],{"type":36,"value":535},"Marriage or civil union",{"type":36,"value":537},": Spouses or registered partners of Portuguese citizens can apply after three years of marriage or cohabitation, with proof of an effective connection to the national community.",{"type":31,"tag":77,"props":539,"children":540},{},[541,546],{"type":31,"tag":199,"props":542,"children":543},{},[544],{"type":36,"value":545},"Children born in Portugal",{"type":36,"value":547},": A child born in Portugal can acquire citizenship at birth if at least one CPLP-national parent has been legally resident for at least three years; the threshold is four years for parents of other nationalities.",{"type":31,"tag":77,"props":549,"children":550},{},[551,556],{"type":31,"tag":199,"props":552,"children":553},{},[554],{"type":36,"value":555},"Descent (jus sanguinis)",{"type":36,"value":557},": Children and grandchildren of Portuguese citizens may register their citizenship at any time, subject to documentary proof.",{"type":31,"tag":77,"props":559,"children":560},{},[561,566,568,573],{"type":31,"tag":199,"props":562,"children":563},{},[564],{"type":36,"value":565},"Sephardic Jewish ancestry",{"type":36,"value":567},": This route has been ",{"type":31,"tag":199,"props":569,"children":570},{},[571],{"type":36,"value":572},"formally abolished",{"type":36,"value":574},". New applications closed in December 2022, and the pathway has been removed under the 2025-2026 reform. Files already submitted before the closure are still being processed under transitional rules.",{"type":31,"tag":51,"props":576,"children":578},{"id":577},"common-pitfalls",[579],{"type":36,"value":580},"Common Pitfalls",{"type":31,"tag":32,"props":582,"children":583},{},[584],{"type":36,"value":585},"A few patterns lead to delays or refusals:",{"type":31,"tag":73,"props":587,"children":588},{},[589,613,623,633,643,653,663],{"type":31,"tag":77,"props":590,"children":591},{},[592,597,599,604,606,611],{"type":31,"tag":199,"props":593,"children":594},{},[595],{"type":36,"value":596},"Counting residency incorrectly.",{"type":36,"value":598}," Under the prior law the clock ran from the date you ",{"type":31,"tag":41,"props":600,"children":601},{},[602],{"type":36,"value":603},"requested",{"type":36,"value":605}," your first residence permit; under the new law it will run from the date AIMA ",{"type":31,"tag":41,"props":607,"children":608},{},[609],{"type":36,"value":610},"issues",{"type":36,"value":612}," the permit. Pull your AIMA records before you file.",{"type":31,"tag":77,"props":614,"children":615},{},[616,621],{"type":31,"tag":199,"props":617,"children":618},{},[619],{"type":36,"value":620},"Gaps in legal residency.",{"type":36,"value":622}," Long absences from Portugal (typically more than six consecutive months, or more than eight non-consecutive months across the five years) can break the residency chain.",{"type":31,"tag":77,"props":624,"children":625},{},[626,631],{"type":31,"tag":199,"props":627,"children":628},{},[629],{"type":36,"value":630},"Outdated criminal record certificates.",{"type":36,"value":632}," Most authorities accept records issued within the past three months. Order them late in the process, not early.",{"type":31,"tag":77,"props":634,"children":635},{},[636,641],{"type":31,"tag":199,"props":637,"children":638},{},[639],{"type":36,"value":640},"Translation issues.",{"type":36,"value":642}," Translations must be done by a recognized translator and the translator's signature notarized. Translations done by a friend, even a fluent one, will be rejected.",{"type":31,"tag":77,"props":644,"children":645},{},[646,651],{"type":31,"tag":199,"props":647,"children":648},{},[649],{"type":36,"value":650},"Missing apostille on foreign documents.",{"type":36,"value":652}," Each foreign-issued document needs its own apostille from the country of origin.",{"type":31,"tag":77,"props":654,"children":655},{},[656,661],{"type":31,"tag":199,"props":657,"children":658},{},[659],{"type":36,"value":660},"Filing after the new law enters into force.",{"type":36,"value":662}," Once the revised Nationality Law is published in the Diário da República, only applications already filed will be processed under the five-year rule. Submit a complete file rather than holding it back for one missing item.",{"type":31,"tag":77,"props":664,"children":665},{},[666,671],{"type":31,"tag":199,"props":667,"children":668},{},[669],{"type":36,"value":670},"Assuming AIMA delays don't matter.",{"type":36,"value":672}," They do. AIMA issued roughly 386,000 residency permits in 2025, a 60% rise over 2024, but appointment backlogs persist into 2026.",{"type":31,"tag":32,"props":674,"children":675},{},[676,678,685,687,694],{"type":36,"value":677},"If you are settling into Portuguese work life while waiting for your file to clear, our piece on ",{"type":31,"tag":170,"props":679,"children":682},{"href":680,"rel":681},"https:\u002F\u002Fmigaku.com\u002Fblog\u002Flanguage-fun\u002Fwhat-working-in-portugal-is-really-like-office-norms-and-culture",[174],[683],{"type":36,"value":684},"working in Portugal office culture",{"type":36,"value":686}," covers what to expect day-to-day. Readers comparing European naturalization options may also want to look at ",{"type":31,"tag":170,"props":688,"children":691},{"href":689,"rel":690},"https:\u002F\u002Fmigaku.com\u002Fblog\u002Flanguage-fun\u002Fnaturalizing-as-italian-after-10-years-full-2026-process",[174],[692],{"type":36,"value":693},"naturalizing as Italian after 10 years",{"type":36,"value":179},{"type":31,"tag":51,"props":696,"children":698},{"id":697},"frequently-asked-questions",[699],{"type":36,"value":700},"Frequently Asked Questions",{"type":31,"tag":32,"props":702,"children":703},{},[704,709,713],{"type":31,"tag":199,"props":705,"children":706},{},[707],{"type":36,"value":708},"Does time on a Golden Visa count toward the five years?",{"type":31,"tag":710,"props":711,"children":712},"br",{},[],{"type":36,"value":714},"\nYes, under the existing five-year framework, time on an ARI (Golden Visa) residence permit counts the same as any other residence permit. The complication for Golden Visa holders is AIMA processing delays rather than the legal status itself.",{"type":31,"tag":32,"props":716,"children":717},{},[718,723,726],{"type":31,"tag":199,"props":719,"children":720},{},[721],{"type":36,"value":722},"Can I keep my original nationality?",{"type":31,"tag":710,"props":724,"children":725},{},[],{"type":36,"value":727},"\nPortugal allows dual (and multiple) citizenship. Whether your country of origin allows you to keep its citizenship is a separate question you must check with that country's authorities.",{"type":31,"tag":32,"props":729,"children":730},{},[731,736,739],{"type":31,"tag":199,"props":732,"children":733},{},[734],{"type":36,"value":735},"What happens to my application if the new law is published before I file?",{"type":31,"tag":710,"props":737,"children":738},{},[],{"type":36,"value":740},"\nApplications filed before the entry-into-force date are processed under the previous five-year regime. Applications filed after are subject to the new 7- or 10-year requirement, the civic test, and the declaration of commitment. Get your file in early.",{"type":31,"tag":32,"props":742,"children":743},{},[744,749,752],{"type":31,"tag":199,"props":745,"children":746},{},[747],{"type":36,"value":748},"Do I need to live in Portugal continuously for the five years?",{"type":31,"tag":710,"props":750,"children":751},{},[],{"type":36,"value":753},"\nYou need to maintain legal residency, not be physically present every single day. However, prolonged absences can break residency and reset the clock. Keep travel records.",{"type":31,"tag":32,"props":755,"children":756},{},[757,762,765],{"type":31,"tag":199,"props":758,"children":759},{},[760],{"type":36,"value":761},"Is the A2 language requirement going to get harder?",{"type":31,"tag":710,"props":763,"children":764},{},[],{"type":36,"value":766},"\nThe A2 threshold itself is not changing under the 2026 reform, but a separate civic and historical knowledge test will be added. Details are pending publication of the implementing regulation.",{"type":31,"tag":32,"props":768,"children":769},{},[770,775,778],{"type":31,"tag":199,"props":771,"children":772},{},[773],{"type":36,"value":774},"What if I have a criminal record?",{"type":31,"tag":710,"props":776,"children":777},{},[],{"type":36,"value":779},"\nA conviction carrying a sentence of three years or more imprisonment, under Portuguese law, is disqualifying. Lesser convictions are evaluated case by case.",{"type":31,"tag":32,"props":781,"children":782},{},[783,788,791],{"type":31,"tag":199,"props":784,"children":785},{},[786],{"type":36,"value":787},"How long does the passport take after citizenship is granted?",{"type":31,"tag":710,"props":789,"children":790},{},[],{"type":36,"value":792},"\nOnce your citizenship is registered with the Conservatória dos Registos Centrais, a Portuguese passport can usually be issued within one to two weeks at a Loja do Cidadão, depending on local appointment availability.",{"type":31,"tag":32,"props":794,"children":795},{},[796,798,805],{"type":36,"value":797},"If you are planning to settle long-term in Portugal, getting comfortable with Portuguese, especially European Portuguese, makes both the A2 exam and daily life noticeably easier. 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