Changes to the Portuguese Citizenship Law – Portugal remains one of the most attractive paths to EU citizenship through investment

Still the Golden Door to European Citizenship

Portugal Extends Citizenship Qualification Period — What You Need to Know

Portugal has approved significant changes to its nationality law, extending the required legal residence period before applying for citizenship. Under the new legislation, citizens from the European Union and Portuguese Language Countries must now reside in Portugal for seven years, while applicants from other nationalities will need ten years of residence.

The reform also clarifies that the citizenship timeline starts only when a residence permit is officially issued, not when the application is submitted. Given that residence permits typically take one to two years to be processed, the total path to naturalization could now extend up to between nine and thirteen years for most applicants, including Golden Visa investors.

Pending citizenship applications will remain under the previous legal framework, but current residence permit holders who have not yet applied will be subject to the new rules once the law takes effect.

The new framework also introduces an aggregate residence rule, allowing all periods of legal stay — whether continuous or interrupted — to count toward the total requirement, as long as they occur within a ten-year window.

Within 90 days of the law’s publication, the Portuguese government will update the Nationality Regulation, defining the criteria and testing requirements for civic and state knowledge assessments.

Despite the extended timelines, Portugal remains one of Europe’s most stable and attractive destinations for investment, offering residency options that combine flexibility, safety, and travel access to the European Union, and a straightforward pathway to Portuguese and therewith European citizenship. Citizen Lane continues to guide clients through these evolving regulations, ensuring every application aligns with the latest legal standards and remains strategically positioned for success. For further questions, please contact our team.

Last edit: 28 October 2025