A lengthier residency requirement for citizenship is one of the modifications to the Nationality Law that the Portuguese government has suggested. This article explains the proposal, its potential implications for Golden Visa holders, and important information for those who have applied or intend to apply in the future.
Note: These are not yet laws; they are proposed. The legislative procedure in the upcoming weeks or, more likely, months will determine the final result.
The Portuguese government unveiled a proposed proposal on June 23, 2025, that would change the Nationality proposal. The expansion of the minimum legal residency duration needed to seek for Portuguese citizenship is one of the most significant changes. While natives of Portuguese-speaking nations (CPLP) would be eligible after seven years, the majority of applicants would need to have lived in the nation for at least ten years under the current proposal. Crucially, the amended law states that the residency period would start on the date the first residence permit is granted, not the day the application for citizenship is filed.
This content is informed by sources from Get Golden Visa.
New standards for naturalization are also introduced in the draft law. Candidates must complete a civic knowledge exam that covers Portuguese culture, rights, and responsibilities in addition to demonstrating A2-level Portuguese language ability. Furthermore, those having a criminal history for crimes carrying a jail sentence would not be eligible. Additionally, the proposal aims to eliminate the Sephardic Jewish ancestry-based nationality route. It includes updating current immigration laws and creating a new public security body called UNEF as part of larger immigration changes.
No, the law isn't in force right now. Parliament has been provided with the proposed amendments, but they have not yet been accepted. The legislative procedure is still in progress and is expected to involve discussions with other political parties, potential changes to the proposal, and debates in Parliament. The reforms are still ideas and have not yet been passed into law.
One residency program is the Golden Visa (ARI). Regarding the resident rights under this program, the government has not suggested any modifications.
After submitting your GV application, your entitlement to residency is maintained.
This notice made no mention of modifications to the Golden Visa itself.
However, depending on when it is passed, the proposed law might affect citizenship through the GV route.
The government has stated that naturalization applications filed prior to June 19, 2025, will not be subject to the new citizenship regulations. However, under the present standards, applications that are submitted with insufficient documentation—such as minimum or "tick-the-box" submissions—may not be accepted. This implies that the present five-year residency limit should still be in effect if your application was submitted before June 19, 2025, and it is complete. However, after the new regulations are formally implemented, they might be applicable if your application was filed after that date or is not complete. Notably, a similar strategy was used during the legislative procedure known as "Mais Habitação" in 2023. Although official interpretations may differ, it is generally regarded as unlawful to apply laws retroactively before they have been formally enacted.
Therefore, there is a solid legal basis for arguing that these suggested changes—which are currently in effect—would only become effective following the actual passage and application of the law.
New candidates would have to wait ten years after the date of their first residency permit before they could apply for Portuguese citizenship if the plan were to become law in its current form. They would also have to pass a civic knowledge test, keep a spotless criminal record, and demonstrate A2-level Portuguese language ability, among other requirements. As part of the eligibility examination, the government has also underlined how crucial it is to exhibit "genuine links" to the nation and a feeling of "belonging to the community."
After five years, permanent residency (PR) can still be obtained in spite of these modifications. After five years of lawful residency, Golden Visa holders may apply for permanent residence if they fulfill specific requirements, such as having an A2-level command of Portuguese. It's crucial to remember, though, that the regulations pertaining to Golden Visa-based PR can be different from those controlling regular PR routes. A competent immigration attorney should be consulted by applicants for precise, case-specific guidance.
Review of the draft law is still ongoing. During the parliamentary process, things could change.
Lawyers and money managers are among the industry participants keeping a close eye on the situation.
Unless otherwise specified, if the law is passed, it will only be applicable to new applications filed after it goes into effect.
