Newsletter: Changes to the Portuguese Citizenship Law

Amendments to the Portuguese Citizenship Law have recently been enacted, changing the legal framework in force regarding the acquisition of Portuguese citizenship by (i) holders of residence permits in Portugal, and (ii) descendants of Sephardic Jews of Portuguese origin.

The law stipulates that, when counting the 5-year period of residence for the purpose of acquiring Portuguese citizenship, the time elapsed between the time the residence permit was applied for and the time it was actually issued will be taken into account.