Portugal May Grant Citizenship to Stateless Residents After Three Years Under New Proposal

Proposed law could provide a faster pathway to naturalization for stateless individuals.

Portugal’s left-liberal Livre party has proposed granting Portuguese citizenship to stateless individuals who have resided in the country for at least three years, possess basic Portuguese language skills, and do not pose a national security threat.

The Portuguese Parliament is set to review the bill, according to Schengen News. If passed, this initiative could significantly impact the legal status of thousands of stateless individuals currently living in Portugal.

Who Would Be Eligible?

The proposed law expands the eligibility criteria for naturalization, particularly for individuals who:
- Were born in Portugal but lack any nationality;
- Arrived in the country undocumented as minors or young adults;
- Lost their Portuguese nationality following the independence of former Portuguese colonies;
- Came from politically unstable regions, such as Palestine, Iraq, and Western Sahara.

Cláudia Pedrosa, legal director of the Portuguese Council for Refugees, told Jornal de Noticias that lacking citizenship severely restricts people's rights, making it difficult for them to find employment, access healthcare, and receive education.

“Every individual has the right to nationality. The lack of this status has severe, long-term consequences and leads to human rights violations.”

2023 Legal Reforms on Stateless Persons

In 2023, Portugal introduced legal recognition for stateless individuals under Law No. 41/2023, granting them travel documents and legal status. However, rights groups argue that this law did not establish a clear pathway to citizenship, leaving many in legal limbo.

Portugal also amended its Asylum Law and Immigration Law, but failed to create a comprehensive process for determining statelessness. Livre’s proposed bill aims to bridge this gap by allowing naturalization after just three years of residence.

Under the existing Law No. 37/81, published in the Official Gazette, children born in Portugal are automatically considered Portuguese citizens, unless proven otherwise. However, this provision did not apply to stateless individuals who arrived later in life.

Potential Impact and Challenges

If approved, this bill would make Portugal one of the most progressive EU countries in granting citizenship to stateless individuals. This change would allow hundreds or even thousands of people to gain employment rights, healthcare access, and social security benefits.

However, conservative political forces are likely to oppose the bill, citing concerns over immigration policies. Portugal has become one of Europe’s top migration destinations, and new relaxations could spark criticism from opposition parties and intensify debates over national identity and integration.

The proposal might also strain Portugal’s diplomatic relations within the EU, as many European nations maintain stricter policies on naturalization and immigration.

The key question remains: Is Portugal willing to take bold steps in its immigration policy, even at the risk of political and economic consequences? The coming months will provide the answer.