Portugal’s new Nationality Law took effect on 19 May 2026, but a law does not run on its own. Parliament told the Government to update the detailed Nationality Regulation within 90 days, and much of the practical machinery, such as what exactly counts as proof of an “effective connection” and how the new tests work, depends on that regulation. This guide explains what has and has not been put in place, what applicants can safely do in the meantime, and what to avoid.
Important: This article is general information for educational purposes, not legal advice. Portuguese nationality law is detailed and changed substantially in 2026, and any individual case depends on its particular facts. The position described here is current as of October 2026. Always verify your situation with the Portuguese authorities (the IRN, Instituto dos Registos e do Notariado, and the Conservatória dos Registos Centrais) or a qualified professional before acting.
What changed on 19 May 2026
Organic Law 1/2026 was published on 18 May 2026 and entered into force the next day, republishing the Nationality Law (Law 37/81). Among other changes, it extended citizenship by descent to great-grandchildren of an original Portuguese citizen, subject to proof of an effective connection to the national community, and it tightened the rules for naturalisation. Our guides to the great-grandparent route and what changed in 2026 explain the substance. This article is about the part that is still unfinished.
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The regulation the law ordered
The law required the Government to amend the Nationality Regulation (Decree-Law 237-A/2006) within 90 days, which ran out on 16 August 2026. Legal commentary at the time said that until the regulation was published, the operational detail of the new knowledge tests would not be fixed, and that the eligibility bar had moved while the means of proving it had not yet been published. A check by one immigration publisher as of 17 October 2026 found no revised regulation in the Diário da República and no IRN notice, so the format of the new civics test, and any change to the language level, were still to be set. Treat that as a snapshot, not a final word, and check the official gazette and the IRN’s notices before you rely on it.
What is and is not operational
- In force now: the new eligibility rules in the amended law, including the descent routes for children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
- Waiting for the regulation: the detailed mechanics of the new civics and values test and the declaration of adherence to democratic principles, which Brazilian commentary says cannot be applied until they are regulated.
- Protected by transition rules: applications already submitted when the law took effect, which commentators say continue to be decided under the previous version of the law.
Because the pieces are moving, ask whether a requirement you have read about is already enforceable or still waiting for the regulation. Many online articles do not make that distinction.
What applicants can do now
- Build the document chain. Birth, marriage and death records for each person in the line are needed under every route. Our requirements and process guide explains the chain, and how to order Portuguese records from abroad covers the first step.
- Prepare the language evidence. Commentators report an A2 level for grandchildren and a B1 level for great-grandchildren, but the regulation could change the detail. See how to take the CIPLE exam from abroad.
- Collect evidence of ties to Portugal. Where a route requires an effective connection, documents such as school or health records, tax records and tenancy or property papers are the kind of evidence that has been discussed.
- Keep proof of what you submitted and when. Transition rules turn on dates.
Pitfalls to avoid
- Paying for a guaranteed outcome. No firm can promise how an undefined regulation will treat your case.
- Assuming the old rules apply to you. They do only for applications that were already submitted.
- Withdrawing and refiling without advice. Doing so could move you from the old rules to the new ones.
- Relying on summaries that are months old. Check the date on anything you read.
Think you may qualify? Start with our citizenship guide, then build your document chain with the requirements and process article. Verify specifics with the IRN or a qualified adviser.
Where this leaves you
If you qualify through a parent or grandparent, the central rules are already in the law, and the open questions mostly concern proof and process. If you are relying on the great-grandparent route or on naturalisation, more of your case depends on details the regulation has yet to supply. Our timeline guide explains why waits vary by route, and if an application of yours is already stuck, see your complaint and court options. For families with children, children and Portuguese citizenship after 2026 explains how the new law treats minors.
