Plans to Overhaul Portugal's Citizenship Laws set for Delay

Proposed changes to Portugal’s citizenship and residency laws—closely monitored by global families and Golden Visa investors—are now facing further delays, with parliamentary discussion on the proposed changes postponed until at least September.

The proposed amendments, which include increasing the residency requirement for citizenship from five to ten years (or seven years for CPLP nationals), had been scheduled for debate in the Assembly of the Republic on 16th July. That debate has now been deferred.

Paul Stannard, chairman and founder of Portugal Pathways and the Portugal Investment Owners Club, said:

"Following discussions today (July 9, 2025) with some of our legal and immigration experts, we now know that the government proposal for changes to Portugal's citizenship and residency laws is being pushed back to September.

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“At that point, it will then have to go through a rigorous process of scrutiny, discussion, and debate in parliament before it can be put into law.

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“This postponement provides a level of comfort for individuals and families already planning to obtain either a D-Visa or Golden Visa residency-by-investment in Portugal.

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“It is also important to note that there have been no legal changes introduced, and Portugal has a long-standing tradition of not applying immigration law retroactively.

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“So those who act now are best placed to benefit from the existing opportunity to apply for permanent citizenship after five years of the Golden Visa and show intent before any future changes may occur to extend that to 10 years.”

The delay means that prospective Golden Visa investors now have additional time to secure their applications and residency status under the current five-year path to citizenship.

Paul Sheedy, special advisor at the Portugal Future Fund, emphasised the potential advantages of this temporary reprieve:

"This is an opportunity for people who have shown intent to complete their Portugal Golden Visa application and investment in a sensible fashion. We have many investors who are already a long way down the line, in terms of their application and investment consideration, and should now be able to complete their application and investment in good time," Sheedy stated.

Portugal’s Golden Visa remains a significant channel for attracting foreign direct investment, granting residency to non-EU nationals through qualifying investments. Those approved gain visa-free access to all 29 countries in the Schengen Area and can include their spouse, dependent children, and dependent parents in a single application.

A major draw of the scheme is its minimal physical stay requirement—just seven days annually—compared to the D-Visa, which obliges a stay of at least 183 consecutive days or eight months within any 12-month period.

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Contact Portugal Future Fund to invest in Portugal's Golden Visa residency-by-investment programme

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About Portugal Future Fund

The Portugal Future Fund strategically invests in key sectors, driving growth and innovation across Portugal. Approved for Portugal’s Golden Visa residency-by-investment, it offers a unique opportunity for impactful and rewarding participation.

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Disclaimer: The information on the Portugal Future Fund 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. Portugal Future Fund operates under CMVM regulations but is not directly endorsed by the CMVM or any governmental entity.

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