Understanding Portugal’s citizenship rules and potential timeline changes

For people considering Portugal’s visa options, from the well-known residency-by-investment Golden Visa to more traditional D-visas, questions around citizenship timelines have created uncertainty in recent months.

Portugal has historically provided a five-year route to dual citizenship and an EU passport after securing a residency permit.

However, a proposed reform could increase that timeframe to 10 years for most foreign nationals. While the possibility has prompted concern among prospective applicants, it is important to separate the law as it currently stands from reforms that may still change.

How do Portugal’s citizenship rules work today?

As of March 2026, Portugal’s existing legislation remains in place. Under the country’s Nationality Law, foreign nationals are eligible to apply for Portuguese citizenship after five years of legal residency.

Changes introduced in 2024 simplified the process. The five-year countdown now begins on the date a residency application is submitted rather than when the residency card is issued.

Previously, long administrative backlogs meant applicants could wait one or two additional years before their residency was formally approved, effectively extending the overall timeline.

For Portugal Golden Visa applicants, this change was particularly important. The five-year pathway to permanent dual citizenship now begins from the moment the application is lodged, regardless of processing delays.

To qualify for Portuguese citizenship, applicants must meet several requirements. These include demonstrating Portuguese language ability at A2 level – either by passing a recognised exam or completing an approved course – maintaining a clean criminal record and complying with the residency conditions associated with their visa. For Golden Visa holders, the minimum stay requirement averages just seven days per year.

What reforms have been proposed?

At the end of 2025, Portugal’s parliament approved a bill proposing changes to the Nationality Law. The reform would extend the minimum residency period required for citizenship from five years to 10 years for most non-EU, non-EEA and non-Swiss nationals.

For citizens of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries, the proposed timeframe would increase to seven years. The bill also suggested introducing a requirement for applicants to demonstrate a basic knowledge of Portuguese culture.

Despite passing through parliament, the proposal has not taken effect. Portugal’s Constitutional Court ruled that several elements of the legislation were unconstitutional, raising concerns over retroactive measures and possible discrimination.

As of March 2026, the five-year citizenship pathway remains unchanged.

Nevertheless, the government has indicated that it intends to revisit the issue in the future as part of broader efforts to align Portugal with other European countries where naturalisation timelines are typically longer. Because of this uncertainty, some investors are choosing to proceed with applications now while the current framework remains in place.

What about permanent residency?

Even if citizenship timelines are eventually extended, the ability to apply for permanent residency after five years is expected to remain unchanged.

Permanent residency allows individuals to live and work in Portugal without the need to renew temporary residency permits every two years. Although it does not provide voting rights or a Portuguese passport, it does grant visa-free travel throughout the 29-country Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

If a future reform introduced a 10-year pathway to citizenship, applicants could still obtain permanent residency after five years and then wait an additional five years before applying for naturalisation.

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."

Update: The Nationality Law is scheduled to return to the parliamentary agenda for reconsideration in April 2026.

Impact on Portugal’s Golden Visa

Much of the public discussion surrounding the proposed reforms has centred on Portugal’s Golden Visa. However, the suggested changes relate to citizenship timelines across all visa types and would not alter the programme’s core benefits.

Key advantages of the Golden Visa include flexible residency requirements of only seven days per year, the ability to include eligible family members within a single investment and freedom of movement across the Schengen area. It also offers a pathway to permanent residency and – under current law – citizenship after five years.

Following the removal of the real estate route in 2023, the programme now focuses primarily on alternative investment funds approved for the Portugal Golden Visa. Applicants are required to invest €500,000 in eligible funds.

Additional pathways include a €250,000 cultural donation or a €500,000 contribution towards scientific research. For individuals who are not tax residents in Portugal, gains from qualifying fund investments may also be exempt from Portuguese tax.

Portugal Pathways assists private international clients and their advisers throughout the Golden Visa process, working with trusted legal, immigration and regulated financial partners.

Arranging a no-obligation discovery call with Portugal Pathways can help provide clarity around eligibility, timelines and next steps within Portugal’s evolving citizenship landscape.

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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 estate planning, wealth management, Golden Visa and tax optimisation, including post-NHR / IFICI tax regime planning, as well as private healthcare, money transfers and bespoke relocation and luxury real estate solutions to enhance life and investment in Portugal

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Disclaimer: The information on the Portugal Pathways and Portugal Investment Owners Club (P Club for short) websites 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. Golden Visa investments need to be held for 6 to 7 years to allow for permanent citizenship/passport in the EU.

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