Following today’s parliamentary vote on amendments to the Portuguese Citizenship Law, IAS revisits Portugal’s Permanent Residency regime — now one of the most strategic pathways for Golden Visa investors. This update explains why PR offers immediate stability, potential alignment with future citizenship criteria, and the flexibility to divest after approval.

A Reliable Status After Five Years

After five years of holding a temporary residence permit — such as the Golden Visa card — foreign citizens may apply for a Permanent Residence Permit.
Unlike temporary residency, permanent residency has no fixed validity period; it only needs to be renewed every five years (similarly to a passport) or whenever there is a change in personal data.

This option is particularly relevant for individuals who either cannot or prefer not to apply for Portuguese nationality, such as nationals of countries that do not allow dual citizenship.
However, in light of the ongoing amendments to the Citizenship Law, permanent residency gains renewed significance — not only as an alternative but as a strategic stepping stone in the long-term pathway to citizenship.

Currently, the average processing time for a permanent residence application is around six months, and once granted, investors may immediately divest their qualifying investment without any impact on their legal residency status. This ensures a secure transition from investment-based residence to a long-term, independent legal position in Portugal.

A Stable and European Framework

The Portuguese Permanent Residency regime follows the European Union framework for long-term residence, offering legal stability, predictability, and continuity.
The fundamental requirements — notably the five-year rule — have remained unchanged for many years and are not expected to be altered in the foreseeable future.

Importantly, there are two distinct types of permanent residency in Portugal:

1. The general regime, applicable to residents who live in Portugal on a regular basis; and
2. The Golden Visa regime, which preserves the same flexibility as the temporary investment permit, allows investors to meet the stay requirement of seven days per year or 14 days every two years and still qualify for permanent residency.

Another significant benefit derived from European legislation is that holders of permanent residency in Portugal can transfer their status to another EU Member State.
If they have valid reasons to move and can justify the need to maintain their long-term resident status, they may exchange their Portuguese permit for a local one, preserving their rights and continuity of residence within the European Union.

Permanent Residency and the Golden Visa

For Golden Visa investors, permanent residency offers a unique combination of legal security and financial flexibility.

Once PR is obtained, investors are no longer required to maintain the qualifying investment that supported their residence permit. They may sell their property, redeem fund participation units, or otherwise divest — without jeopardizing the validity or renewal of their residency card.

This makes permanent residency not only a legal safeguard but also a strategic milestone — ensuring that investors retain full residency rights in Portugal regardless of any future changes to investment structures or immigration laws.

Moreover, depending on the final implementation of the amended Citizenship Law, the A2 Portuguese language requirement for permanent residency may overlap with the future language threshold for citizenship.
If confirmed, this would make PR an even more valuable step, allowing investors to fulfil part of the citizenship requirements while securing a stable and indefinite residency status.
In practice, permanent residency could soon represent “one path, two outcomes”: the ability to divest while simultaneously progressing toward citizenship eligibility.

Legal Framework and Requirements

The legal basis for permanent residency is established under Article 80 of Law No. 23/2007, of July 4, which sets out the following requirements:

• Holding a valid temporary residence permit for at least five years;
• Having sufficient knowledge of the Portuguese language (A2 level, per the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages);
• Having no criminal conviction resulting in a custodial sentence equal to or exceeding one year, even if suspended, in cases of terrorism or organized crime;
• Demonstrating stable and regular income sufficient for personal and family needs;
• Having proof of accommodation in Portugal;
• Providing tax and social security non-debt certificates; and
• Authorizing AIMA (Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo) to consult the Portuguese criminal record.

Once these requirements are met, the application must be submitted in person at AIMA, following a scheduled biometrics appointment.

• Applicants must present the following documentation:
• Valid travel document (passport);
• Proof of stable and regular income;
• Proof of accommodation in Portugal;
• Criminal record certificates from the country of origin and/or residence; and
• Proof of basic Portuguese language knowledge (A2 level).

As a general rule, permanent residents must not be absent from Portugal for more than 24 consecutive months or 30 interpolated months within a three-year period. However, Golden Visa residents and their family members are exempt from this rule and only need to spend seven days per year in Portugal to maintain their permanent residency.

Conclusion

The recent changes to the Nationality Law have introduced new timelines, but the core structure of Portugal’s residency framework remains unchanged.

Permanent Residency ensures legal stability and allows Golden Visa holders to maintain their rights without being subject to future changes in investment legislation. The ability to divest, combined with the security of a long-term residence permit, makes PR a practical and dependable option.

The legal foundation of PR continues to offer clarity, protection, and consistency. Investors can rely on this pathway to safeguard their status while continuing to work toward long-term goals, including citizenship, once the legal framework is fully defined.

At IAS, we continue to view Permanent Residency as a strategic bridge between the Golden Visa and eventual citizenship — offering investors stability, flexibility, and enduring European rights even amid evolving legislation.

It remains one of the most stable and advantageous long-term residence pathways in Europe — safeguarding today’s investments while ensuring tomorrow’s opportunities remain open.