Portugal counts almost 1.6 million foreign residents as the longer road to citizenship takes hold

Portugal's migration agency counted 1,585,854 foreign residents at the end of 2025, about 38,000 more than a year earlier. For newcomers, the clock that matters now starts with the first residence permit.

Portugal had 1,585,854 foreign residents at the end of 2025, according to the Migration and Asylum Report 2025 from AIMA, the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum, reported by The Portugal News on 22 September 2026. That is an increase of about 38,000 on 2024, a far smaller rise than in previous years, and AIMA describes it as a sign that new arrivals are stabilising while the existing foreign community settles in.

The agency's workload tells the same story. In 2025 AIMA issued more than 500,000 residence permits: 337,880 new permits and 189,331 renewals. It recorded 671,273 appointments and 605,890 services provided.

The longer road to citizenship

The report comes four months into a new nationality law. Organic Law 1/2026 was published in the official gazette, the Diário da República, on 18 May 2026 and came into force the next day. Naturalisation now requires seven years of legal residence for citizens of EU countries and Portuguese-speaking CPLP countries, and ten years for everyone else, instead of five.

Just as important is how the years are counted. The period now runs only from the date your first valid residence permit is issued, not from the date you applied or arrived. Applicants must also show Portuguese at level A2, pass a test on Portuguese culture, civic rights and the organisation of the state, declare their adherence to democratic principles and have sufficient means. Applications submitted before 19 May 2026 continue under the old rules.

What it means if you are moving to Portugal

Keep your first residence card and the decision that granted it; that date is the start of your clock. Renew on time, because a gap can cost you years, and keep copies of every card and renewal. If you plan to stay, start Portuguese early: A2 is the minimum for citizenship, and free PLA courses exist for foreign residents.

Our guide Portuguese citizenship in 2026 – permanent residence and the new nationality law explains every route, step by step.

Sources: AIMA, Migration and Asylum Report 2025, as reported by The Portugal News, "Portugal with almost 1.6 million foreign residents", 22 September 2026; Diário da República, Organic Law 1/2026 of 18 May 2026 amending the Nationality Law; read 27 September 2026.

Relocate in Europe provides general information, not legal or financial advice. Check with AIMA and the Institute of Registries and Notaries (IRN) before you act.