The Institute of Registries and Notaries (Instituto dos Registos e do Notariado or IRN) has clarified that the recently approved Nationality Law applies exclusively to new applications submitted after its enactment. Applications filed prior to the new law will continue to be reviewed under previous criteria, including existing residency requirements. This confirmation follows public questions regarding the impact of the legislative changes on pending nationality requests.
New nationality law applies only to future applications
Tuesday, 12 May 2026AI summary
Context & Explainers
The Institute of Registries and Notaries (Instituto dos Registos e do Notariado or IRN) is the government body that manages civil, land, and commercial registries in Portugal. It is currently processing a backlog of 516,000 nationality applications, resulting in average wait times of three years. These delays impact all applicants, including children and grandchildren of Portuguese citizens.
