This is all in the proposal phase ?
It might not be approved by the parliament or the president correct ?
Yes, so far that’s just a proposal, though a very unfair one, to say the least…
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The Chega draft suggests a National Integration and Citizenship Test, which consists of an assessment made up of multiple-choice questions, focusing on national history, democratic values, Portuguese culture and other elements representative of the identity and organisation of Portuguese society
I mean, of all the things Chega does, this seems to be the least offensive thing I’ve heard. While I disagree with changing the criteria for people already in process, a civics test should be required for all new citizens. I’d like to see testing and scores from people in Chega or for that matter, all elected officials. Fair is fair, right?
Edit: Since these threads are super confusing, this is in response to the multiple-choice questions.
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Thanks for this.
I have questions, so this bill is proposed by Chega right? Which means other parties will now review and amend it. Given Chega has the “hardest” stance towards citizenship, we can assume, that to some degree, these amendments will be toned down. I.e. this is the absolute worst case scenario in terms of citizenship changes, and they may get toned down by other parties.
I have gone through the document, and one of the big things is there is no addressing of the physical presence loop holes (i.e. what golden visa holders are exploiting -legally- to get citizenship).
There is a decent amount of changes in there that would require super majority due to conflicts with constitution (e.g. what does it mean to offend Portugal exactly?), mainly the loss of nationality stuff. I don’t see that going through easily at all. They are probably just playing to their base here and driving another political wedge in. Someone else with legal understanding can chime in here maybe?
“d) Prove that they have an effective connection to the national community;” what does this mean? It’s very open to interpretation.
My take is this, this is the first bill proposal, CHEGA go for broke, and squeeze AD for looking soft when the inevitably bring the number of years down to like 5 for CLPL countries and 7 for the rest. Maybe even grandfathering of those with residence permits or sticking to their original “from when you applied” law from last year. Who knows.
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There’s a Chega version, but the actual party in power has also approved their own bill today, which now goes to the Assembly for debate/vote:
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Considering how fast this notion of doubling years for Citizenship has come together, I would be worried:
- 8-April: off-the-cuff comments by António Leitão Amaro
- 14-April: actual AD (PSD+CDS) electoral programme statement
- 18-May: AD (PSD+CDS) wins minority in national elections
- 23-June: AD Government approves bill in the Council of Ministers
I know summer recess is coming, but clearly from the above the party in power is eager to make this happen - this year.
do you happen to have the current law that’s being debated then? I want to see the actual document.
Indeed, this “prove that they have an effective connection to the national community” is a risk for ARI holders abroad. An unfavorable government - such as the one we currently have! - could undoubtedly use this to argue that ARI holders not physically resident in PT are out of luck.
That doesn’t guarantee ARI holders are screwed, but it returns it to the realm of subjective interpretation, which we all have learned through experience to be capricious at best.
On the other hand, Chega’s document also goes on to state that the requirements for 10 years and the connection to the community “may be waived” for people who “have rendered […] services to the Portuguese state”. Which is also a bit ambiguous. So perhaps a future friendly government could argue that ARI people have fulfilled that point.
But again, now we’re back to subjective interpretation and potentially the mercy of the courts. So, still bad.
I think in case this goes through , there will be a very little interest in the ARI program it will be like canceling the program in an indirect way and the ones that are stuck with it either to quit or live with the new rules .
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According to the press they are eager to make it happen retrospectively from 19 June 2025 
So it’s like ‘Mais Habitação’ journey all over again…
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What’s the president’s position on this? Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa is a member of the socialist party right? He can veto this or send it to the Constitutional Court I recall.
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Marcelo is from the governing PSD, not the socialists. But yes he can send it to the constitutional court. And given the magnitude of the change, possibly will.
So if it sent to the Constitutional Court, and the court finds this retroactively unconstitutional, then chega and PSD would need to find a 2/3 majority to override it, which they don’t have right?
In less than 6 months, things are about to change. Should it be considered as a scam, lie & deception? Or maybe should it be considered as a professional way of Aima to do business?
It was approved by the Council
Of Ministers last night.
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Also consider that if the 10 year change goes into law, the requirement that a GV investment must be held until citizenship means our assets will be tied up for a much longer period.
ARI holders may still apply for a permanent residence after completing 5 years on GV, no?
Yes. But it requires an appointment, and none have been made this year so far.
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Find me an ARI holder with permanent resident card…
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