Planned reforms to Portugal’s citizenship and residency laws—closely watched by international families and Golden Visa investors—are now expected to be delayed further, with major parliamentary debates postponed until at least September.
The proposed legislation, which includes extending the residency requirement for citizenship from five to ten years (or seven years for citizens of CPLP nations), was originally set to be reviewed in the Assembly of the Republic on 16th July. That session has now been postponed.
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.
“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.
“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.
“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.
“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.”
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With the legislative process now deferred until the autumn, prospective Golden Visa applicants have an extended window in which to finalise their investment and residency plans under the current rules.
Paul Sheedy, special advisor at the Portugal Future Fund—an authorised alternative investment fund operating under the Golden Visa programme—highlighted the opportunity this delay provides:
"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.
The Golden Visa remains a key driver of foreign direct investment in Portugal, offering non-EU nationals residency rights and a route to citizenship through qualifying investments. Successful applicants also benefit from visa-free access to all 29 Schengen countries.
One of the programme’s main attractions is its low physical presence requirement—only seven days per year—compared to the D-Visa, which demands a minimum stay of 183 consecutive days or eight months over a 12-month period. Applicants may also include their spouse, dependent children, and dependent parents in a single application.
Portugal Pathways will be hosting a live webinar titled 'Securing Portugal’s Golden Visa in 2025' on 22nd July 2025. The session will feature guidance from legal and investment experts.
About Portugal Investment Owners Club
The Portugal Investment Owners Club, or P Club for short, is a unique investor membership community designed for discerning individuals, families, and organisations committed to exploring and capitalising on life in Portugal and enjoying money-can't-buy experiences and exclusive events.
About Portugal Pathways
Portugal Pathways has supported hundreds of Golden Visa residency-by-investment applications and provides expert guidance through its professional supply chain network on luxury property, wealth management, and tax optimisation, including post-NHR tax regime planning, as well as private healthcare, IFICI tax incentive applications, money transfers and bespoke relocation solutions to enhance life and investments in Portugal.
Disclaimer: The information on the Portugal Pathways and Portugal Investment Owners Club (P Club for short) websites 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. Golden Visa investments need to be held for 6 to 7 years to allow for permanent citizenship/passport in the EU.
