Almost 50 thousand foreigners acquired Portuguese nationality last year, which represents an increase of 13% compared to 2023. The majority of these new Portuguese citizens reside, however, outside the country, according to data now released by the National Statistics Institute (INE).
The Israelis are once again at the top of the podium, once again leading in nationality acquisitions last year. As in 2023, almost 18 thousand Israelis now have a Portuguese citizen card.
Followed by Brazilianswith more than 11 thousand, the Cape Verdeans, Angolans and Guineans. However, these numbers are expected to plummet, especially in the case of Israelitesdue to the new Lno of Nationalityalready approved in Parliament, but yet to be promulgated.
It is planned that the extraordinary regime that until now allowed naturalization of descendants of Sephardic Jewsthat is, descendants of the Portuguese expelled at the end of the 15th century.
While this law does not come into force, data from the confirm a race against time. So far, more than 121 thousand nationality requestsof which approximately 92 thousand were granted and they are 515,334 requests pending.
Last year, almost 50 thousand foreigners (46,840) acquired Portuguese nationality, which represents a increase of 13% compared to 2023that is, more 5,500 citizen cards.
The majority of these new Portuguese people, however, live outside the country. According to data now released by the just 15 thousand lived in Portugal.
