On June 23, the Portuguese Government announced proposed changes to the nationality and foreigners laws. Full details emerged on June 26, with a parliamentary vote expected on July 4. However, all discussions and votes have now been postponed until September.
What’s Being Proposed?
- Residency requirement increase:
- From 5 to 7 years for CPLP nationals (Portuguese-speaking countries)
- From 5 to 10 years for all others
- Residency period countdown would start from the residence permit issue date, not the application date
- Stricter naturalization criteria: deeper knowledge of Portuguese language, culture, history, and values
- Revocation risk: Naturalized citizens can lose nationality if they commit serious crimes within 10 years
- Family reunification narrowed to descendants, except for Golden Visa holders and high-value professionals
Some proposals may face constitutional and EU legal challenges, particularly the distinction between CPLP and non-CPLP nationals.
What Does This Mean for You?
For Golden Visa and D Visa holders, the biggest impacts would be:
- Longer wait before applying for nationality
- The start of the residency countdown shifting to a later date
While this is a setback, perspective is key.
Why Portugal Still Stands Out
- Golden Visa programs in Spain, the UK, the Netherlands, and Ireland have closed
- Greece requires investors to live 7 consecutive years and attain upper-intermediate Greek, whereas Portugal only requires 14 days every 2 years and basic Portuguese
- Applicants may still apply for permanent residency after 5 years, even if citizenship requires 10. This ensures long-term security in Portugal.
- Minister Leitão Amaro recently confirmed to Bloomberg that Portugal has no plans to end the Portugal Golden Visa and is considering enhancing tax benefits
Our View
Portugal continues to offer one of the few high-quality Golden Visa programs in Europe, with unmatched lifestyle, safety, and hospitality. Planned improvements could make the program more attractive than ever.
The Blue Portugal
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The Blue Portugal Team
