Moving to a new country is a life-altering decision, and for many, Portugal has long been the “Goldilocks” zone of Europe—offering a perfect balance of safety, lifestyle, and a relatively straightforward path to an EU passport. However, recent legislative discussions in Lisbon have stirred the waters. If you have been tracking the Portugal residency to citizenship latest update, you likely know that the rulebook is being rewritten.
For years, the “5-year rule” was the bedrock of Portuguese immigration, allowing residents to apply for nationality after five years of holding a permit. But a new plan to double this requirement to 10 years has made a lot of investors and expats feel uneasy.
This blog explains the current laws, the proposed changes, and what they mean for your future in the Iberian Peninsula.
The Status Quo: How the 5-Year Rule Works Today
As of early 2026, the primary route to naturalization is still governed by the existing Portugal’s Nationality Law. Under these rules, foreigners who have held 5 years of legal residence are eligible to apply for Portuguese citizenship.
The most significant recent win for applicants came in early 2024. Previously, the “clock” for your five years only started once your physical residency card was issued. Due to administrative backlogs, some people waited two years just for their card, effectively making the path to citizenship seven years long.
The Portugal residency to citizenship latest update confirms that the five-year countdown now begins the moment you submit your application for a residence permit, provided it is eventually approved. This change has been a massive relief for those who qualify for Portugal’s Golden Visa, as it compensates for the time spent waiting in the processing queue.
Requirements for Citizenship After 5 Years:
Language Proof: You need to show that you can speak Portuguese at the A2 level (basic conversational skills).
Clean Record: No crimes that could get you three or more years in prison under Portuguese law.
Legal Status: You must stay in Portugal legally for the entire five-year period and follow the rules for your visa.
The 10-Year Proposal: Why is it Changing?
In late 2025, the Portuguese Parliament approved a bill that seeks to tighten the requirements for naturalization. The core of this proposal is to increase the residency requirement from 5 years to 10 years for most non-EU nationals. For citizens of CPLP (Portuguese-speaking) countries and EU members, the proposal suggests an increase to 7 years.
The rationale behind this shift is to align Portugal with more restrictive European neighbors and ensure that new citizens have a deeper, decade-long integration into the local culture and economy.
Is the 10-Year Rule Active?
No. The law has had a lot of trouble since January 2026. Parliament passed the text, but it was sent to the Constitutional Court to be checked. The court found that a number of the provisions were unconstitutional, especially those that were thought to be unfairly retroactive or discriminatory.
Until a revised version is drafted, approved, and signed by the President, the current 5-year timeline remains the law of the land. However, the intent of the government is clear: they want to make the process more rigorous. This makes the Portugal Golden Visa latest update particularly vital for those sitting on the fence.
Permanent Residency vs. Citizenship
One common point of confusion is the difference between holding a passport and having Permanent Residence in Portugal. Even if the citizenship timeline eventually extends to 10 years, the right to apply for the standard permanent residence after five years is expected to remain intact.
Permanent Residency: This lets you live and work in Portugal for as long as you want without having to renew temporary permits every two years. It doesn’t give you a Portuguese passport or the right to vote, but it does give you long-term stability.
Citizenship: This grants you a Portuguese (EU) passport, allowing you to live, work, and study anywhere in the 27 EU member states.
If the 10-year rule passes, many will likely secure their permanent status at the 5-year mark and then wait out the remaining five years to claim their passport.
Navigating the Golden Visa in 2026
Even with all the news, getting a Golden Visa in Portugal is still one of the best ways to get into Europe. You could invest in real estate until the end of 2023, but the program has changed since then.
These are the main ways people can get the Golden Visa for Portugal these days:
Investment Fund: At least €500,000 in venture capital that isn’t used to buy real estate.
Cultural Production: A €250,000 gift to the arts or national heritage is called cultural production. In areas with low density, this amount goes down to €200,000.
Scientific Research: A €500,000 investment in research activities.
The Portugal residency to citizenship latest update is especially relevant here because Golden Visa holders only need to spend an average of 7 days per year in the country. This “light” residency requirement is currently preserved under the 5-year rule, making it a unique “Plan B” for global citizens.
How FRR Immigration Supports Your Transition
FRR Immigration provides clear and concise plans to navigate through these changes in Portuguese Law and build a solid foundation for a successful long-term move to Portugal, not simply obtaining a visa. You may be unsure of which avenue to approach to create certainty in your Family’s Future.
Our services include:
Pre-Eligibility Assessment: Prior to investing any funds into a potential Golden Visa application in Portugal, our comprehensive review process will provide an understanding of your overall financial and personal profile, to ensure you are eligible to apply for a Golden Visa in Portugal.
Investment Vetting: Our qualified team performs due diligence on qualifying Investment funds to verify that the Investment funds adhere to the Portugal Golden Visa most recent non-property related requirements.
Timeline Management: We’ll calculate the “waiting time” for you and allow you to follow the best steps to optimise your path to citizenship through the 2024 and 2026 updates of Portugal’s Nationality Law.
Document Management: We’ll obtain your NIF (Tax Identification Number) and arrange with AIMA for your fingerprints and/or biometric data and manage all aspects of your Golden Visa application process, and take the time-consuming administrative workload off your plate.
Long-term Strategy: Whether you want to apply for the standard permanent residence or go straight for citizenship, we provide a 5-to-10-year roadmap that accounts for potential law changes.
Are you ready to secure your future in Portugal before the rules change?
FAQs
1. Has the 10-year citizenship rule officially started?
No. As of early 2026, the law is still under review and has faced constitutional challenges. The 5-year residency rule is currently still in effect.
2. Does the time I wait for my residence card count toward citizenship?
Yes, thanks to the 2024 update to the Nationality Law, the 5-year clock starts from the date you submit your residency application, not when the card is issued.
3. Can I still buy property to get a Golden Visa?
No, the real estate investment option was removed in October 2023. You must now invest in funds, cultural projects, or research.
4. Do I have to live in Portugal full-time for the Golden Visa?
No, you only need to spend an average of 7 days per year in Portugal to maintain your residency and qualify for citizenship or permanent status.
5. What is the minimum investment for a Golden Visa in 2026?
The entry point is €250,000 for a cultural heritage donation, or €500,000 for investment in a qualifying venture capital fund.
