The Portuguese government has approved significant changes to its nationality legislation. Under the revised rules, the residency requirement for citizenship applications will extend from five to ten years, with additional hurdles introduced for foreign nationals. The proposed bill is due to be presented to parliament shortly, potentially disrupting the plans of thousands who selected Portugal for relocation and investment purposes.
Key Changes to Citizenship Requirements
The naturalisation period will double from 5 to 10 years of legal residence. Crucially, this count will now begin from the date of obtaining a residence permit (Autorização de Residência), rather than including the application processing time — which currently takes 2-3 years for many applicants.
Citizens from Portuguese-speaking countries (including Brazil, Angola and Mozambique) will face a 7-year requirement instead of the current 5.
New mandatory criteria will include:
- Language and cultural knowledge examinations
- Evidence of social integration
- Demonstrated commitment to democratic values
The reforms also affect citizenship for children born in Portugal. Parents must now hold residence status for 3 years (up from one) before their newborn qualifies for Portuguese nationality. The government also plans stricter family reunification rules and will establish a dedicated immigration enforcement unit.
Implications for Migrants and Investors
Portugal’s appeal to foreign investors has been significantly tied to its relatively straightforward citizenship pathway. The previous system counted residence time from application submission rather than physical presence, with passport eligibility after just 5 years.
The changes come alongside the 2024 abolition of the Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) tax scheme, removing another key incentive.
With the immigration service (now AIMA) facing severe backlogs — approximately 45,000 pending cases and 18-month processing times — the extended timeline may render Portugal’s programme uncompetitive against other European options.
The amendments have provoked strong reactions among expatriate communities, with online petitions circulating to protect applicants already in the system who have invested considerable time and resources in meeting previous requirements.
Alternative Investment Migration Options
As alternative pathways to EU citizenship, you can consider a Greek Golden visa and Cyprus Permanent Residence.
Greece’s Golden Visa
- €250,000 minimum real estate investment
- 3-6 month processing for family applications
- 7-year path to citizenship (with Greek language/culture exam)
- No residence obligation (property may be rented)
Cyprus Permanent Residence
- €300,000 property investment threshold
- 6-9 month processing period
- Visit requirement: once every 2 years
- 8-year naturalisation timeline
Conclusion
While Portugal’s revised programme may still suit committed long-term residents, the extended timeline and additional requirements necessitate careful consideration of alternatives.
