The Council of Ministers has approved a decree-law regulating the Nationality Law (Lei da Nacionalidade), establishing stricter criteria for granting Portuguese citizenship. The cabinet also appointed César Teixeira as the new president of the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo or AIMA). The measures conclude regulatory requirements for the revised immigration and nationality legal framework.
Government Approves Stricter Regulations for Portuguese Citizenship
Thursday, 29 October 2026AI summary
Context & Explainers
The Nationality Law (Lei da Nacionalidade) sets the rules for who can be a Portuguese citizen, covering birth, descent, naturalisation, marriage and long-term residence. Its approval alongside the 2026 State Budget means changes to those eligibility rules will be implemented as part of the government's 2026 policy package, which the prime minister said will affect the country's stability and competitiveness.
César Teixeira is the president of Portugal's Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo or AIMA). Appointed by the government, he leads the public body responsible for issuing residence permits, enforcing immigration law, and managing asylum requests. His leadership comes amid major reforms aimed at clearing backlogs and tightening Portuguese nationality rules.
