Portugal's citizenship landscape changed significantly in late 2025 — and not in the direction most applicants were expecting. While the 2024 reform gave many people a faster path to naturalisation, the legislation passed in October 2025 tightened requirements substantially. At the centre of that tightening is a new exam requirement that goes well beyond language: the TNIC — Teste Nacional de Integração e Cidadania.
This article explains what the TNIC is, what the Portuguese government is trying to achieve with it, and — most importantly — what the current state of legal uncertainty means for anyone with a citizenship application in progress or on the horizon.
What Is the TNIC and Why Is the Government Introducing It?
The TNIC — National Integration and Citizenship Test — is a proposed exam that combines language proficiency with knowledge of Portuguese history, culture, civic values, and constitutional structure. Think of it as Portugal's answer to equivalent tests already in place in other EU countries: Germany's Einbürgerungstest, Spain's CCSE, the Netherlands' inburgeringsexamen.
The new Nationality Law designates the TNIC as mandatory for all citizenship applicants, requiring proof of Portuguese language proficiency at A2 level alongside knowledge of Portuguese culture, history, and values through official tests.
The political logic behind it was stated clearly during the parliamentary debate. The Minister of the Presidency described the reform as making "Portugal more Portugal," framing the new requirements as a guarantee that citizenship goes to those who demonstrate a genuine connection to the country — not merely to those who have been physically present for the required number of years.
The TNIC is therefore not just an administrative hurdle. It reflects a philosophical shift in what Portuguese authorities consider sufficient evidence of integration. Language alone — what the CIPLE A2 has traditionally measured — is no longer considered enough. Cultural knowledge, civic understanding, and demonstrated familiarity with Portuguese society are being added to the bar.
What We Know, and What We Don't
Here is the honest picture as of early 2026, because the situation involves genuine legal uncertainty that any responsible guide needs to acknowledge.
What has been approved politically: In October 2025, the Portuguese parliament approved a major overhaul of the Nationality Law. The Constitutional Court made adjustments in December 2025, and the changes were intended to take effect in January 2026.
What remains legally uncertain: The new Nationality Law had not been published in the Diário da República — the official legal gazette — meaning it had not yet produced binding legal effects. Portugal entered 2026 in a hybrid state: the old rules technically still apply, but the direction of change is clearly established.
What the new rules would mean if fully enacted:
Critically: Applications submitted before January 2026 are protected — they follow the prior 5-year rule and the existing CIPLE-only language requirement.
Why Passing the CIPLE Now Is the Clearest Strategic Move
This legal complexity — a new law approved but not yet formally enacted, stricter rules on the horizon — creates a specific and time-sensitive opportunity for anyone who is currently, or will soon be, eligible for citizenship under the old framework.
The argument is straightforward:
If you are eligible under the old 5-year rule — meaning your five-year clock started from your application submission date under the 2024 reform — your application is protected under the prior rules if submitted before the new law takes full effect. That means:
Every month of delay in submitting your application is a month closer to the new regime potentially applying. The CIPLE A2 certificate is the last document most applicants need before they can submit. It is the bottleneck — and clearing it now, under the current rules, is materially better than waiting.
If you are not yet eligible — if your five-year clock hasn't run — the picture is more complex, and the new law's final form will matter enormously to your timeline. But the language requirement is virtually certain to remain, whether it's the CIPLE alone or the CIPLE combined with the TNIC. Starting preparation now means you're ready for either scenario.
What the TNIC Will Actually Test
Based on what has been publicly discussed — including the dedicated tnic.pt website and parliamentary debate records — the TNIC is expected to cover:
Portuguese language proficiency — at A2 level, consistent with the existing CIPLE requirement. This component may be satisfied by an existing CAPLE certificate, or may require a separate TNIC-administered language test. The specific modalities have not been finalised.
Portuguese history — key events, periods, and figures from Portuguese national history. The format is likely to resemble the Spanish CCSE or German Einbürgerungstest, with multiple-choice questions on historical content.
Culture and society — Portuguese cultural practices, regional identity, and social norms.
Civic and constitutional knowledge — the structure of the Portuguese state, fundamental rights and duties of citizens, and the principles of the democratic republic.
The TNIC is still described as a proposal under discussion in the Portuguese parliament, and its exact format, passing criteria, and implementation date are subject to change. Monitoring progress at tnic.pt is recommended for anyone who will be affected by the new requirements.
The Window Is Open, But It Won't Stay Open
For applicants who are eligible — or will become eligible within the next 12 months — the strategic calculation is clear. The current requirements are known, manageable, and well-supported by preparation materials. The future requirements are more demanding, less defined, and not yet fully supported by the preparation infrastructure that exists for the CIPLE.
Clearing the CIPLE A2 now, under the current rules, removes the language requirement from your citizenship application entirely — regardless of what the TNIC ultimately looks like or when it becomes mandatory.
The CIPLE exam slots, as discussed in previous guides, are already under pressure from the surge of applicants triggered by the 2024 reform. The new law's tighter requirements are likely to create further urgency among applicants racing to submit before the new regime takes full effect. That means more competition for exam slots in 2026 than in any previous year.
CIPLE A2 exam preparation. No credit card required. 30-day money-back guarantee.
For a full breakdown of what the current CIPLE A2 tests, how to prepare, and how to register before slots fill — see our complete guide: About the CIPLE A2 Exam →
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the TNIC already in effect? As of early 2026, the TNIC has been approved as part of the new Nationality Law passed in October 2025, but the law had not yet been published in the Diário da República and was not yet producing full legal effects. Monitor tnic.pt and official Portuguese government sources for updates.
Does passing the CIPLE A2 now protect me from the TNIC requirement? If your citizenship application is submitted under the current rules — before the new law takes full legal effect — the existing CIPLE A2 requirement applies. Applications submitted under the old framework are protected from retroactive application of the new requirements. Consult a qualified immigration lawyer for advice specific to your situation.
Will the CIPLE A2 still be required under the new law? The new law maintains an A2 language requirement. Whether this can still be satisfied by the CIPLE alone, or must be combined with or replaced by the TNIC, has not been finalised.
What does the TNIC cover beyond language? The TNIC is expected to include Portuguese history, culture, civic values, and constitutional knowledge — similar to integration tests already in place in Spain (CCSE), Germany (Einbürgerungstest), and the Netherlands.
Where can I follow the TNIC's official development? The dedicated site tnic.pt tracks the proposal's progress through the Portuguese parliament. Official government announcements are published at portugal.gov.pt.
This article reflects the situation as of February 2026. Portuguese nationality law is in active transition. Always verify current requirements with AIMA, the Conservatória dos Registos Centrais, or a qualified Portuguese immigration lawyer before submitting a naturalisation application.
Source: CAPLE - Camões Institute for Portuguese Language Certification