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2020-10-08
Ana Paula Ferreira and Joana Assunção explain the proposed amendment to the nationality law

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On July 23rd, the Assembly of the Republic voted and approved the Ninth Amendment to the Nationality Law. However, President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa unexpectedly vetoed the diploma that was thus returned to the Assembly of the Republic for possible changes. Ana Paula Ferreira, Coordinator of the Private Client Department at CCA, and Joana Assunção, Associate of the Private Client Department at CCA, explain to Human Resources Portugal, what in practice would change with the enactment of this law.

Both lawyers believe that "this change eased part of the current regime and brought some of the 'long overdue' changes to obtaining Portuguese nationality", adding that "this is a big step forward for the grandchildren of Portuguese since the law still in force requires that the effective connection with the national community be recognized by the Government and great importance is given, among other things, to the existence of regular contacts with the Portuguese territory. This measure aims to establish a fairer criterion for the Portuguese grandchildren, not penalizing those who cannot travel regularly to Portugal, even if they are of Portuguese origin".