Proposed Changes to Nationality Law
The IL party has made significant proposals regarding the nationality law in Portugal, unveiling their electoral program this past Friday. Key proposals include:
- Increasing the legal residency requirement for obtaining Portuguese nationality.
- Suspending naturalization processes if there are pending criminal proceedings.
In their electoral program, the IL advocates for a thorough revision of the nationality law, emphasizing the need for criteria that are clear, fair, and stable. This change aims to enhance legal security and prevent potential abuses.
According to an official source from IL, one of the main goals of revising the nationality law is to extend the residency period required for nationality applications, following discussions and consensus on the criteria.
Currently, the law stipulates that an individual must have resided in Portugal for at least five years before applying for nationality. The IL's proposal suggests evaluating the suspension of naturalization processes when an applicant is involved in ongoing criminal proceedings for serious crimes, specifically those punishable by more than three years in prison.
The IL argues that the current nationality law has become overly complex, unstable, and opaque, leading to legal insecurities. They point out that the original law had two clear criteria for naturalization, which have now expanded to over twelve conditions and numerous subclauses.
The party emphasizes the need to simplify and stabilize legal criteria, enhancing clarity, predictability, and fairness in access to nationality. They also propose reinforcing integration criteria, including proficiency in the Portuguese language, basic knowledge of democratic institutions, and a clean criminal record.
This initiative marks a notable shift in the IL's platform compared to their previous proposals for the March 2024 legislative elections, where the nationality law was not addressed.
In a related context, António Leitão Amaro, the Minister of the Presidency, also expressed support for extending the timeline for granting Portuguese nationality, suggesting that the current timeline has a 'pull effect' on immigrants. He highlighted that the existing timeframe is below the European average, making it attractive for immigrants seeking to benefit from this provision.
The nationality law has already undergone changes in this legislative session, establishing a five-year residency requirement only after obtaining a residence certificate, rather than from the application date as was previously the case.
Comments
Join Our Community
Sign up to share your thoughts, engage with others, and become part of our growing community.
No comments yet
Be the first to share your thoughts and start the conversation!