Portugal Has Half A Million Pending Nationality Applications

• 23 July, 25

In a recent parliamentary debate on Portugal’s Nationality Law, Minister of Presidential Affairs António Leitão Amaro revealed that more than 512,000 citizenship applications are currently backlogged. Surprisingly, only 15% of these applications are from Portuguese citizens born abroad, raising concerns about the direction and integrity of the current naturalization process.

Sharp Rise in Citizenship Applications by Foreign Residents

According to Minister Leitão Amaro, there has been a significant surge in naturalization requests by foreign nationals based on residency: “Compared to 2015, naturalization applications from foreigners have increased fivefold. Even compared to 2021, they’ve tripled.” This sharp increase has prompted the government to reevaluate the existing nationality framework, which critics argue has become too permissive.

“Portuguese Citizenship Should Not Be a Commodity”

The minister emphasized that citizenship must not be simplified or commercialized: “We cannot allow Portuguese nationality to become a mere gateway to other European countries.” He warned that many applicants now show weaker emotional and social ties to Portuguese society, potentially undermining national cohesion.

Naturalization Surge Not Driven by Children of Portuguese Nationals

Data highlights the shifting demographics of applicants:

• In 2015, Portugal received 194,000 citizenship applications, largely from descendants of Portuguese nationals.
• By 2022, that number rose to 362,000, but only 160,000 were from people with Portuguese ancestry.

The growth is primarily fueled by naturalization through residency, not by traditional familial or historical connections.

Government Plans to Tighten Nationality Law

Minister Leitão Amaro stressed the urgent need to revise the Nationality Law: “Without reform, application numbers will continue to rise rapidly.” He pointed out that the number of foreign residents in Portugal has quadrupled in the past seven years — increasing by around one million people. Without stricter rules, many may apply for citizenship without genuine integration or emotional connection to the country.

The proposed reforms aim to:

• Reverse policies introduced by previous left-wing governments
• Ensure that citizenship is granted based on deep ties to Portugal’s political and civic community

“Becoming Portuguese is not just about holding a passport. It means having the right to vote, run for office, and actively participate in the country’s governance.”

Cre: theportugalnews