Portugal’s new centre-right government is cracking down on immigration laws, doubling residency requirements from 5 to 10 years for most foreigners, and to 7 years for citizens from Portuguese-speaking countries like Brazil.

The new rules demand not just language skills but also cultural familiarity, no criminal history, and support for Portugal’s democratic values. Naturalised citizens could now even lose their citizenship if convicted of serious crimes.

This move comes as the far-right Chega party gains momentum, pushing a tougher anti-immigration agenda. With over 1.5 million legal foreign residents and more than 400,000 applications pending, Portugal’s immigration laws are undergoing major changes in 2025.