On May 3rd, the President of the Republic promulgated amendments to the Portuguese Nationality Law, following approval by Parliament. These changes are expected to impact eligibility criteria and timelines for obtaining Portuguese citizenship.

While the final text is yet to be fully analyzed following its publication in the Diário da República—after which it is expected to enter into force one day later—current information suggests a potential extension of the minimum residency period required for naturalization. This period may increase from 5 to 10 years, with a reduced requirement of 7 years for nationals of Portuguese-speaking countries.

In addition to the duration of residency, there are indications that the method for calculating this period may also be revised. In particular, the starting point for the citizenship eligibility timeline could be linked to the date of issuance of the residence permit. This aspect will require confirmation once the law is formally published and its practical application becomes clear.

At this stage, it is important to distinguish between what has been formally approved and what remains subject to clarification. In particular:

• The law has been promulgated but still requires formal publication and may be subject to further regulatory clarification;
• The President has expressly underlined the importance of safeguarding pending applications and ensuring that delays attributable to public authorities do not adversely affect applicants;
• The practical impact of these changes—particularly for current Golden Visa investors—will depend on how the new rules are interpreted and applied in practice.

Importantly, no immediate changes to current residency rights have been announced, and existing applications and investment structures remain valid.

In this context, it is helpful to consider the broader structure of Portugal’s immigration framework.

Permanent residency continues to be a key milestone and, for many investors, the primary objective. It remains a secure legal status, independent of the citizenship timeline, and may offer increased flexibility, including in scenarios where divestment is considered, while maintaining similar physical presence requirements.

Furthermore, Portugal’s legal framework has undergone several adjustments in recent years, often including transitional mechanisms aimed at protecting legitimate expectations and ongoing processes. While the extent to which similar provisions will apply in this instance remains to be confirmed, this legislative practice provides important context when assessing potential impact.

For investors, it is therefore premature to draw definitive conclusions. However, the current framework allows for a measured and informed approach. At this stage, we recommend:

• Continuing with ongoing applications and renewals as planned;
• Avoiding decisions based on unofficial interpretations;
• Reviewing individual timelines with legal advisors once transitional rules are clarified.

IAServices is closely monitoring the publication of the final legal text and will provide a detailed legal analysis as soon as further clarification becomes available. Our team remains available to assess individual cases and provide tailored guidance in light of the evolving framework.

As always, decisions should be based on confirmed legal information rather than preliminary interpretations.