Portugal to Make it Easier for Foreigners to Obtain Citizenship

The Portuguese Parliament is currently deliberating a significant change in the nation’s citizenship laws, with the aim of simplifying the process for foreigners who have already made Portugal their home. This proposed shift could open new doors for those seeking Portuguese citizenship, attracting individuals from diverse backgrounds.

The current system resets the clock for foreign residents upon receiving formal authorization to stay in Portugal, a situation that might soon see a transformation.

Revamping Naturalization Requirements

According to a report by Journal Jurid, this prospective change would impact all foreigners who have spent a specific duration of time in Portugal, as required for naturalization. The Parliament is poised to review and potentially modify the existing residency requirements

The current system resets the clock for foreign residents upon receiving formal authorization to stay in Portugal, a situation that might soon see a transformation.

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Soaring Interest in Portuguese Citizenship

In recent years, the allure of Portuguese nationality has grown substantially, with the local media reporting a remarkable 37% increase in citizenship applications in 2022 alone. According to the Foreigners and Borders Service (SEF), a total of 74,506 applications were submitted during this period.

Among these, 64,040 received favourable responses, with a mere 911 applications rejected. Notably, the largest portion of new Portuguese citizens hailed from Israel (20,975), followed closely by Brazil (18,591), and Cape Verde (3,662).

Diverse Pathways to Citizenship

For those seeking Portuguese citizenship through marriage or de facto union, Brazilians led the pack with 9,435 applications, followed by Venezuelans (1,536) and Cape Verdeans (900).

Interestingly, Israelis have emerged as a prominent group pursuing Portuguese citizenship, surpassing Brazilians, despite the deep cultural and historical ties between Brazil and Portugal.

Astonishingly, many Israelis, once they secure Portuguese citizenship, do not reside in the country, with just 569 out of 60,000 Israeli citizens with Portuguese nationality residing in Portugal as of 2022. In contrast, a significant portion of Brazilians, approximately 239,744, choose to make Portugal their home after acquiring citizenship.

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Advantages and Disadvantages

The allure of Portuguese citizenship lies in various benefits, including reduced taxes, a lower cost of living, and a generally less stressful lifestyle when compared to other countries. However, challenges such as the language barrier and potentially lower income are important considerations.

One of the most coveted perks of Portuguese citizenship is the ability to travel within the Schengen borderless zone, which is still under negotiation for Israeli passport holders seeking access through EU and US visa waiver programs.

This change is particularly significant for Israelis since holding an Israeli passport comes with more restrictions. Additionally, the discussion has extended to higher education opportunities. While academic requirements are often stringent in Israeli state universities, EU nationals, including Portuguese citizens, enjoy more relaxed admission criteria and lower costs.

A Shift in Motivation

Many families with European origins have been motivated to apply for EU nationality due to these advantages. However, it’s worth noting that the number of Israelis seeking Portuguese citizenship might decline in the future.

2022 marked the final year in which they could apply for citizenship under the Descendants Policy, a program designed to facilitate the acquisition of Portuguese nationality for Israelis with familial ties to the country.

As Portugal contemplates these changes, the world watches with anticipation, eager to see how these potential amendments will affect the landscape of Portuguese citizenship for foreign residents.