New law extending residency period to 10 years

Hi fellow Expats,
I have been issued a 5 yeas temporary residence card. I have been in Portugal for 183 days in each of the past two years. Does this new legislation mean I need to stay in Portugal another 8 years before becoming a citizen or does this only apply to people coming in to the country now.
i would be grateful to receive some advice.
thank you
Ben - @Beninuk1996

Has it been made law yet? I dont think it has, it's only been proposed. They still need to be approved by the parliament and signed by the president, as far as I am aware. The countdown for the residency period begins when the applicant receives their first residence permit.

@Beninuk1996,

The new law has already been approved by parliament and will come into force in the next few weeks. It will apply to all people who apply for nationality as soon as they are able to do so. In your case, you will also have to fulfil the new deadlines and requirements, i.e:

- 10 years' residence in Portugal

- You must demonstrate an effective connection to Portugal

- Proficiency in the language is mandatory

- Proof of cultural and social integration and participation in the community is mandatory

-The possibility of withdrawing nationality acquired less than ten years ago in the event of a conviction for serious crimes punishable by Portuguese law has also been introduced.

P.S. Do you think that just being physically in Portugal for 183 days x 5 years = 915 days gives you the right to apply for citizenship?!!?

@JohnnyPT

Ahh, I stand corrected. I just hadn't heard that it was finally past. Many countries are taking such measures to address immigration issues.

P.S. Do you think that just being physically in Portugal for 183 days x 5 years = 915 days gives you the right to apply for citizenship?!!? - @JohnnyPT

This will be interesting when they start scanning the passports in 7 days.

It's my understanding that the new nationality changes have been separated and delayed until later in October, but the new immigration rules were passed last week.

@Beninuk1996

I could be wrong (someone else could confirm) but i thought I read somewhere that you MUST have already started your citizenship application for the new law not to affect you.  So that means you got that A2 certificate and has an application already in the system?  The policy is now on President's desk to decide what to do next and I don't know how quickly it takes effect once he signs it.  So I think if you have the requirements (5 years and has that A2 certificate), you should probably apply NOW if citizenship is your intention.

@JohnnyPT

This is only if he does NOT apply for citizenship before the President signs it, correct?  That is, if he signs up now (assuming he has met the current requirements for that 5-year citizenship)...he could be very well in good situation because the law (if signed by President) will not take effect until a few weeks away?

But I do stand corrected in how I read some other posts.

@sfaznpinoy

Nothing is known about whether the law will be promulgated or sent to the constitutional court. The president still has 3 days to send it to the court, or another 15 days to promulgate or veto it. I doubt he will veto it, given the +70% composition of the parliament that passed the law. So the doubt lies in the next 3 days.... I don't think that applying for nationality now is enough time to avoid the changes. But it's up to you...