The Portuguese Parliament passed a change to the Nationality Law on October 28, 2025. The change aimed to clarify citizenship requirements and extend the application period. The law is not yet in effect because the president has not signed it, but it represents a significant change in Portugal’s immigration system.
The core changes tighten residency requirements and formalize integration expectations:
Even though the citizenship timeline has been pushed back, the Portugal Golden Visa is still the best and most flexible way to get EU residency and a passport without having to move full-time. The government that started the program still strongly supports residency through investment.
Here’s how the reform affects Golden Visa holders:
Status | Detail |
Unchanged | Only 14 days of physical presence are required every two years during the initial five-year period. |
Unchanged | No tax residency obligation (unless you fully relocate to Portugal). |
Unchanged | Full family inclusion (spouse, dependent children, and parents) remains intact from the start. |
Adjustment (The Path Forward) | At year five, Golden Visa holders request a Permanent Residency card (valid for five years, renewable), which has no minimum stay requirement. This path uniquely allows GV holders to complete the additional years toward citizenship without having to live in Portugal full-time. |
Adjustment (Family) | Children only need to remain unmarried and financially dependent on the main investor for the first 5 years (until permanent residency is granted), simplifying the 10-year path to citizenship. |
During the legislative process, Portugal’s immigration authorities (AIMA) have become more active, which shows that they strongly support current applicants:
This new activity is a very favorable sign for current and future applicants. It indicates that the Golden Visa is a stable, strategic part of Portugal’s investment policy.
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