Portugal to Tighten Citizenship Rules: 5-Year Pathway May Soon Become 10 Years — What Golden Visa Holders Must Know Now
- Freya Hu
- Jun 24
- 4 min read
On June 23, the Portuguese government convened a Council of Ministers meeting to discuss significant proposed reforms to the Nationality Law and Family Reunification policies. On the same day, Minister of the Presidency António Leitão Amaro hosted a press conference and clearly stated: the government will submit a legislative proposal to the Assembly of the Republic involving amendments to the Nationality Law. In the future, applicants for Portuguese citizenship must “more rigorously demonstrate a genuine connection to the Portuguese state.”
So, what are the key proposed amendments to the Nationality Law that have captured the attention of Golden Visa investors?
At the press conference, Minister Leitão Amaro emphasized:
“Portuguese nationality is not merely a legal status but a symbol of belonging to a political community.” Therefore, the reform’s core aim is to raise the threshold for naturalization in order to strengthen national identity and sense of belonging.
1. Stricter Regulations for “Birthright Citizenship”
The amendment will revise the mechanism for granting nationality to children born in Portugal to foreign parents—commonly known as the “birthright citizenship” policy. Under the new provisions, parents must hold a valid residence permit and must have resided in Portugal for no less than three years.
Minister Leitão Amaro explicitly stated:
“Nationality will no longer be granted by default but only upon the individual’s active expression of intent. This reform significantly elevates the naturalization threshold, adds more scrutiny requirementsand lengthens the required residency periods.”
2. Extension of Residency Requirement & Comprehensive Upgrade to Evaluation Standards
The government proposes to extend the minimum legal residency requirement for naturalization from the current 5 years to:
7 years for nationals of CPLP (Community of Portuguese Language Countries) member states
10 years for nationals of all other countries
In addition, the starting point for the residency period will change from the date of initial application submission to the date of issuance of the residence permit.
Furthermore, higher linguistic and cultural requirements will be introduced: applicants must demonstrate a basic understanding of the Portuguese language and culture, as well as knowledge of the fundamental rights, duties, and political system of the Portuguese Republic.
In summary, the future naturalization process will not only take longer, but also impose stricter assessments, requiring language proficiency, cultural familiarity, and political alignment.
Globevisa Response: Expert Legal Insight from Filipe Eusébio
Globevisa understands that the proposed amendment to extend the naturalization period from five to ten years is of significant concern to Golden Visa investors. Therefore, we have invited leading Portuguese immigration law expert Filipe Eusébio to provide a professional analysis of the draft proposal to help investors stay informed and plan accordingly.
Key Provisions in the Draft: Raising the Threshold for Naturalization
According to Lawyer Filipe, the key substantive changes in the draft that directly impact Golden Visa investors include:
Extension of Naturalization Period:
a. For non-CPLP nationals, the requirement would be extended from 5 to 10 years.
b. The starting point for the residence period would change from the application submission date to the date of issuance of the first residence card.
Higher Language and Cultural Standards:
a. In addition to the current requirement of a Portuguese A2-level language certificate, a new test covering Portuguese culture, the constitutional system, and basic civic duties and rights is expected to be introduced.
Current Legislative Progress: When Will It Take Effect?
As for the timeline of when the amended law will take effect, Filipe provided the following professional explanation:
Currently, the draft amendment has passed the Council of Ministers and is now under discussion in Parliament. It is expected to enter formal deliberation or voting around mid-July.
Under the standard Portuguese legislative process, a law must go through the following stages:
Approval by the Council of Ministers
Debate and vote in Parliament
Presidential review and signature
Official publication in the national Gazette (Diário da República)
Formal entry into force
If the bill is passed by majority vote in the first parliamentary round, it could be officially enacted as early as September 2025. However, if the bill fails in the initial vote, it may enter a second or third round of discussions, potentially delaying implementation by six months or more.
Investor Guidance: What Should Golden Visa Holders Do If the Proposal Is Passed?
For investors at different stages of the Golden Visa process, Lawyer Filipe provided the following advice:
For applicants who have already submitted their Golden Visa applications:
The government has not yet publicly clarified whether it will protect existing applicants by implementing a “grandfather clause” (transitional protection). Therefore, whether these applicants will be affected remains uncertain and will depend on the final version of the law. Filipe suggests two possible courses of action if the law is passed:
Transition to Permanent Residency before Applying for Citizenship:
The Golden Visa program remains unchanged, allowing investors to apply for a permanent residence permit after 5 years, provided they have stayed in Portugal for at least 14 days every 2 years. Permanent residents are not subject to strict residency requirements and may apply for nationality after 5 more years, thus potentially bypassing the new rules.
Pursue Legal Recourse:
If no grandfather clause is implemented, investors may consider legal action to assert their legitimate expectations, arguing that they planned their investment based on the existing 5-year naturalization framework.
For prospective investors still considering application:
There may still be a window of opportunity to apply under the current law. Given that the 2023 amendment only recently changed the naturalization period to start from the application date, a further extension to 10 years within a year could lead to legal challenges. Even if the new rules are implemented, Golden Visa residency requirements remain unchanged, and investors can still pursue the “5-year to permanent residence + 5-year to citizenship” pathway to obtain Portuguese nationality and enjoy EU-wide benefits.
Plan Early, Secure Your Future.
Although the proposed amendment to the Portuguese Nationality Law presents a challenge to the naturalization timeline, it does not alter the fundamental structure of the Golden Visa program. Portugal remains one of the EU countries with the most lenient residence requirements.
In the face of uncertainty, the best strategy remains early planning and strategic identity pathway design. By investing €500,000 in a qualified Portuguese fund, providing a clean criminal record, and residing in Portugal for only 7 days per year, investors can apply for Portuguese citizenship—gaining access to an EU passport for three generations and enjoying full EU citizenship benefits across 27 countries.
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