Portugal approves regulations for new Nationality Law

The Portuguese government has approved the regulations necessary for the full implementation of the new Nationality Law. According to Minister of the Presidency António Leitão Amaro, the reform aims to make the granting of Portuguese citizenship more demanding by requiring a more effective demonstration of connection to the country.

Key changes include extended residency periods for foreigners to acquire nationality: seven years for citizens of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) and ten years for others. Additional requirements include knowledge of the Portuguese language, history, and culture, as well as a formal declaration of adherence to constitutional values.

In a related move, the government appointed César Teixeira as the new president of the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA), succeeding Pedro Portugal Gaspar. The Minister noted that AIMA has seen a 60% increase in service volume compared to the previous year, with a focus on upcoming digital transformation and modernization.