For those considering one of Portugal’s visa options, from the popular residency-by-investment Golden Visa to the less flexible D-visas, the question of citizenship timelines has muddied the waters recently.
Portugal has long upheld a five-year pathway to permanent dual citizenship and an EU passport after obtaining a residency permit, but a new initiative could change this to 10 years.
Fortunately, all other benefits of Portugal’s visa offerings remain the same.
So, what is the current law, how could it change, and how does this impact you?
How do Portugal’s citizenship rules work today?
Let’s first explore what the rules are, as of March 2026.
Under Portugal’s Nationality Law, once five years of legal residency have passed, foreigners can apply for dual Portuguese citizenship and an EU passport.
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In 2024, this process was further simplified, with the countdown of the five years starting from when the application is made, not when the residency card is issued.
Before this, due to administrative delays, the five-year pathway was often extended by one or two years while waiting for the permit.
So, now, Portugal Golden Visa applicants need not worry about lengthy processing queues, their countdown to permanent dual citizenship starts as soon as they submit the Golden Visa application.
Requirements to be eligible for citizenship include:
• Basic Portuguese language proficiency (A2 level) – this can be demonstrated by either passing an exam or completing an eligible language course with no exam requirement. Portugal Pathways can help you find an eligible Portuguese language course.
• Clean criminal record
• Residency requirements – you must meet the minimum required residency period for your visa. For Portugal Golden Visa holders, this is seven days per year.
Potential changes to Portugal’s citizenship rules
Towards the end of 2025, Portugal’s parliament approved a bill to alter the rules for foreign nationals attempting to obtain Portuguese citizenship.
For most non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals, this would increase the residency timeline from five years to 10 years.
For the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP), the timeline would be increased to seven years.
The proposal could also see applicants prove a basic understanding of Portuguese culture.
But amid all of the noise from this proposal, it’s important to remember: As of March 2026, this law has not come into effect.
After parliament passed the bill, Portugal’s Constitutional Court deemed a number of elements of the law to be unconstitutional.
Much of this was due to potential retroactive or discriminatory rules.
So, as it stands, no changes have been made. Portugal’s Golden Visa maintains its benefits – and it’s five-year timeline to citizenship.
Despite this, the government does still want to reform the Nationality Law to bring Portugal more in line with the rest of Europe. It is likely that the 10-year citizenship pathway will come into effect in the future.
Many investors considering Portugal’s Golden Visa are pushing ahead with their application in order to get ahead of any potential future changes.
Will Portugal’s permanent residency permit change?
It’s important to note that a change to citizenship timelines is expected to have no impact on the right to apply for permanent residency after five years.
A permanent residency permit allows holders to live and work in Portugal without having to renew it, unlike temporary permits with need to be renewed every two years.
Permanent residency permits do not give the holder the right to vote, but it does give you full access to Portugal and visa-free access to the 29 countries in the Schengen area – albeit for no longer than 90 days out of any 180-day period.
This means that in the event the 10-year pathway is put into effect, you can still secure permanent residency after five years and simply wait another five years to receive an EU passport, unlocking the right to live, work and study in anywhere within the Schengen area.
Paul Stannard, chairman and founder of Portugal Pathways, said: "Under current law, non-EU nationals can apply for Portuguese citizenship after five years of legal residence. Since the 2024 reform, the clock starts from the date you submit your residency application — not when the card is issued — provided it’s approved.
"Parliament did pass a proposal to extend this to ten years. However, the Constitutional Court found elements unconstitutional in January 2026. The law cannot proceed in its current form.
"In addition, no further debate will take place until the new President, Luís Montenegro of the Social Democratic Party, is formally in post — and three new Constitutional Court judges still need to be appointed.
"So we are currently in a legislative pause."
What is the impact on Portugal’s Golden Visa?
Much of the talk around potential Nationality Law changes have focused around its impact on Portugal’s Golden Visa.
However, it is important to note that the proposed changes would change the citizenship timelines for all Portugal’s visas and would not have any impact on the rest of the Golden Visa’s benefits.
Portugal’s Golden Visa benefits include:
• Flexible residency requirements of just seven days per year, making it an ideal Plan B for international investors and families.
• The ability to include all your eligible family members in one application and a single investment.
• Freedom of movement across the 29 EU Schengen region countries.
• A pathway to permanent citizenship and an EU passport.
Requirements for Portugal’s Golden Visa
Since the removal of the real estate investment option in 2023, Portugal’s Golden Visa has focused primarily on Golden Visa-eligible alternative investment funds.
Investors must commit €500,000 to one or more of the alternative investment funds eligible for the Portugal Golden Visa.
For non-tax residents, there is no tax on the upside of this investment.
Other options include the cultural production route, a €250,000 donation towards eligible national heritage or arts projects, as well as the scientific research route, a €500,000 investment into eligible research activities.
How Portugal Pathways supports your Portugal Golden Visa journey
Portugal Pathways supports private international clients and their advisors at each stage of the journey, working with discerning families seeking flexibility, diversification, and global mobility.
• Expert Guidance: Our professional independent partners handle the legal, immigration & financial complexities so you don’t have to.
• Trusted Partners: Work with investment firms, expert legal advisors and regulated fund managers approved for Golden Visa.
• Proven Success: Hundreds of international families and investors have secured Portugal's Golden Visa with our support.
About Portugal Pathways
Portugal Pathways has supported hundreds of Golden Visa residency-by-investment applications and provides expert guidance through its professional supply chain network on luxury property, wealth management, and tax optimisation, including post-NHR tax regime planning, as well as private healthcare, IFICI tax incentive applications, money transfers and bespoke relocation solutions to enhance life and investments in Portugal.
Disclaimer: The information on the Portugal Pathways website and in email communications is for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, tax, or financial advice. You should consult and check with a qualified professional advisor before relying on any information provided on this website or in email communications. As it relates to investments in Golden Visas or other wealth management solutions offered by regulated and professional advisors, it is important to note that past performance is no guarantee of future returns. Private equities can be highly illiquid and come with risk and should always be under professional independent advice.
