Portugal Launches New Citizenship Pathway for Stateless Individuals

On August 7, 2026, Portugal's president signed a decree creating a legal pathway for stateless individuals residing in the country. The new framework allows individuals to apply for statelessness determination, granting them a six-month renewable residence permit during the process.

This permit enables holders to work legally and access public services, including healthcare. The key requirement for applicants is to initiate the formal determination procedure through the designated authority, the Portuguese Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA), which will oversee the assessment and decision-making process.

Only those officially recognized as stateless will be eligible for the rights provided under this law. Stateless persons are defined as individuals not recognized as nationals by any country, often facing significant barriers to work, healthcare, education, and legal protection.

This initiative aims to create a structured route for stateless individuals to gain formal status and associated rights.