The Portuguese Parliament has approved an important change to Portugal's citizenship law that will speed up the process and benefit thousands of Brazilian immigrants.
The most important change in the current legislation concerns the calculation of the length of stay an immigrant needs to apply for Portuguese citizenship. Previously, you had to live in the country legally for five years to be eligible.
However, this period only counted from the time the residence permit was issued. With the change in the law, the waiting time until approval is granted will be counted towards the five years required to obtain citizenship.
The bureaucracy
For many Brazilians, waiting is a problem.
Due to the backlog of applications, immigration changes and delays in analyzing processes, many waited two years or longer for official residency.
And during this time only a provisional approval, called an expression of interest, was valid.
How will it work
If a Brazilian moves to Portugal but only receives a residence permit for two years, this waiting period will be counted as part of the required five years of residence.
This way, the candidate only has to stay in the country for three years to be able to apply for citizenship.
children and parents
Another measure that was favorable for the Brazilians was the recognition of children of Portuguese fathers or mothers even in adulthood.
Previously, the law only allowed recognition of membership up to the age of 18. It was no longer possible to deviate from this idea, which has now changed.
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150,000 Brazilians are waiting
The decision will only become valid after it is sanctioned and published by President Marcelo Rebelo in the Diário da República, which could happen soon.
This change is particularly relevant for the more than 150,000 Brazilians who are currently waiting for their residence permits to be issued.
Many of them have been harmed by delays in the regularization process.
The amendment will officially come into force after approval by President Marcelo Rebelo and publication in the Diário da República. Photo: Reproduction/FG Trade/Getty Images Signature
With information from O Globo.