The figures in question reveal a 38 per cent increase compared with 2025, when, on the same date, around half a million applications were pending.
The figures released by the Ministry of Justice, as reported by the newspaper Público, indicate that only 26% of applications relate to immigrants already residing in Portugal who wish to obtain Portuguese nationality, having met the legal residence requirements laid down by law.
The figures mentioned reflect just six weeks of the implementation of the amendments to the Nationality Law which, from May onwards, made the conditions for obtaining Portuguese nationality more stringent, whilst at the same time extending eligibility to Portuguese descendants born abroad, up to and including the great-grandchildren of Portuguese nationals.
The IRN’s delays have been criticised by the Union of Registry and Notary Workers, which argues that the Ministry of Justice should put forward a recovery plan that includes strengthening the workforce in order to speed up the processes.
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I submitted my application by decent of living Portuguese parents 2 years ago and have not heard a word. Not even acknowledgment of receipt or a case file number. Very disappointing. So i don’t know if something is missing or incorrect or just not started.
By Paul from Other on 21 Oct 2026, 19:10
It is obviously deliberate that they're trying to prevent people from getting citizenship and making it complicated for immigrants so that they are motivated to leave.
By João Santos from Porto on 22 Oct 2026, 10:59
I applied in April 2023 as a wife of a Portuguese citizen. I have a number- still just shows “application received “ online. I have just got a 1 year visa from Manchester consulate via a visa agency. It was free.
By Caroline Jennings from UK on 23 Oct 2026, 07:29
I don't know how they process the applications. But they should separate the applications into groupings. If applying as a child of portuguese parents that should be a much quicker review and approval and not take years. There has to be some low hanging fruit which could move the process along. Ireland processes children of their citizens in 2 months.
By John Silva from USA on 23 Oct 2026, 14:41