Obtaining residency in Portugal is governed by a specific law (Law No. 23/2007, of July 4) and is a process analyzed by AIMA.
Applications for Portuguese nationality are processed by another entity that is not AIMA and are governed by a different law, the nationality law (Law No. 37/81, of October 3). There is an article in the nationality law that states that after 5 years of legal residency in Portugal, among other requirements, it is possible to apply for Portuguese nationality and this is the link between residency and nationality, but we are talking about different laws. Therefore, if only the nationality law is changed, it will not affect nationality applications that have already been submitted and are pending analysis, and will only apply to future nationality applications. I do not consider it obvious that a residence application pending analysis will be protected in the event of a change in the nationality law. I believe it is fair and legally defensible that these are legitimate expectations of people who applied for residency for this purpose, but I have doubts that if the law were to be changed there would be any provision for protection in this regard. I believe it is defensible, but it may be necessary to resort to the courts and then it will be analyzed on a case-by-case basis.
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