Petition calls for changes to nationality law to only apply to those arriving in Portugal

More than 12,000 people signed a petition, delivered to the Assembly of the Republic, calling for a transitional regime that maintains the current deadline for naturalization of foreigners for those already in the country, according to the document consulted today by Lusa.

Ilia Bobin is a Russian doctor who has lived in Portugal for three years, fleeing the Putin regime, and is the promoter of the petition submitted to the Portuguese parliament, with 12,167 signatures, to request that the changes proposed by the Government (seven-year residence permit for Portuguese speakers and ten for others) only apply to new arrivals, maintaining "the previous five-year period for people who, on the date of entry into force of this law, already reside legally in national territory and hold a residence permit."

"There are many of us like me, who work and want to integrate. In my case, I left for political reasons, and naturalization isn't just a matter of convenience, it's a matter of security," said the doctor, who lives in Seixal and is learning Portuguese to practice in Portugal.

Until then, he runs a cleaning company with his wife. Ilia Bobin chose Portugal "for many reasons," including "the existing naturalization deadlines."

“Foreigners who came to Portugal with the aim of integrating into Portuguese society planned their lives, careers and the future of their families based on the five-year period for naturalization,” so a “retroactive change to the period could frustrate legitimately created expectations, protected by the Constitution of the Portuguese Republic.”

"We, foreign citizens legally residing in Portugal—among whom are professionals from various fields, including IT, management, commerce, services, and other sectors, parents of children already enrolled in Portuguese schools and who consider Portugal their home—present this petition in the spirit of constructive dialogue," the petition's sponsors state.

The document was signed “by many foreigners” to demonstrate that “they are committed to integrating,” explained Ilia Bobin.

Recognizing “the right and duty of the Portuguese Parliament to review and improve legislation in response to the new challenges and needs of society,” the signatories consider that “the possibility of applying for naturalization and being able to count on a fair assessment is a legitimate expectation that stems from the principles of the rule of law.”

The authors consider that the new rules should be applied “only to future residents”, maintaining “the legal certainty and legitimate expectations of immigrants residing in the country who already follow in good faith the rules established by the State and build their lives in Portugal based on current legislation”.

The prosecutors invoke the principles of protection of legal trust, prohibition of retroactivity, legal certainty and predictability, as well as equality.

"The changes to the law will create different conditions based on the date of entry into the country — allowing some to naturalize after five years and requiring longer periods from others," which "could constitute discrimination," they say.

Furthermore, the signatories cite international studies that indicate that "naturalization promotes better integration of migrants into society," with "better employment indicators, more qualified roles, and higher incomes."

Applying the new rules to foreigners already resident does not correspond to the objectives of right-wing parties, which want to limit immigration, because "these people are already in Portugal, they do not constitute 'potential immigrants', but rather effective residents who will not seek to leave the country", with the exception of "the most qualified professionals and those with the greatest capacity to contribute to the tax and social systems"

"For thousands of families—some of whom come from countries with authoritarian or conflict-ridden regimes—obtaining Portuguese nationality is not a formality, but rather a fundamental life goal, guaranteeing security, dignity, and a future for their children," and "these people have taken up residence in Portugal, placing their trust in the national legal system," the petition reads.

Therefore, "we believe that changing the rules midway through this process is not just an administrative measure, but could represent a profound intervention in the lives of these people, compromising their plans and generating disillusionment and distrust," the authors state.

Changes to the nationality law, which provide for a review of the time limits for accessing naturalization and the withdrawal of citizenship in cases of crime, are currently under discussion in parliament, with the left-wing opposition considering that the government's proposal contains several unconstitutionalities.