Portugal remains one of the most popular destinations for investors, retirees, and digital nomads, mainly because it offers a straightforward way to gain legal residency in Europe and the option to apply for citizenship after five years.
Recently, though, a lot of people have been asking the same question: are they going to change the wait time for citizenship? Could it be extended, perhaps to 10 years?
Despite all the headlines seen recently, the five-year rule is still in place – nothing has changed yet.
So What Was Actually Being Proposed?
Toward the end of 2025, Portugal’s parliament discussed and voted for a change that would have doubled the wait time for applying for citizenship, moving from the current five-year regime to ten years for most people outside of Portuguese CPLP countries.
Understandably, that made a lot of families nervous, especially those planning their future based on the current rules.
However, before anything could move forward, the proposal was passed from parliament to the president, before being sent to the Constitutional Court to be reviewed.
What Happened with the Court Decision in December?
Portugal’s Constitutional Court met in December and issued its ruling and found that four major parts of the reform did not follow the constitution, meaning the law was blocked and sent back to parliament. Further reforms and changes may well be made, but the process would have to begin again from the start.
In simple terms, this reform never actually came into effect – despite a lot of scaremongering around it.
What Are the Current Rules?
The rules currently in place mean that most people who have legal residency in Portugal can apply for citizenship after five years, so long as they meet the usual requirements.
These include basic language skills, maintaining a clean criminal record, and being able to prove you have followed the legal rules of stay.
Of course, citizenship isn’t automatic. There is still paperwork, and the process itself can take time.
So, in reality, the journey can end up being a little longer than just the five years on paper.
What Makes Portugal’s Golden Visa Different?
One of the key differences with the Golden Visa is the unique setup for residency.
Through this process, you can keep legal residency in Portugal while only needing to spend a small amount of time in the country each year — roughly one week per year, or two weeks over a two-year period.
That versatility is a huge benefit for families who aren’t necessarily looking to relocate right now, but want the option there as a plan B, whether for lifestyle reasons, future family planning, or simply because circumstances can change.
What If the 10-Year Idea Comes Back?
Parliament could definitely raise this again in the future, and it’s quite likely they will.
There are, however, presidential elections ongoing, which may slow down the bureaucratic journey for any potential changes to be implemented. And that is if they are implemented.
Even if the Portuguese did decide to extend the citizenship timeline, it wouldn’t be wildly out of step with the rest of Europe.
Countries such as Spain and Italy already make people wait around ten years before applying, and you are usually expected to live there full-time throughout that period.
Where Portugal differs is in the flexibility it offers, particularly for Golden Visa holders, thanks to its much shorter stay requirement.
The Political Backdrop ahead of February
These discussions have been ongoing ahead of Portugal’s presidential runoff election on the 8th of February, which will be contested by André Ventura of the right-wing Chega party and António José Seguro from the left-leaning Socialist Party.
As with any presidential election anywhere in the world, there is naturally more focus and debate around immigration policy, nationality rules, and the overall economic outlook of the country.
It is important to note, though, that the presidential election is not the be-all and end-all in the country’s governance.
No matter who is voted in, residency and nationality law in Portugal will remain governed through parliament and the current Prime Minister, with the Constitutional Court there to safeguard residents’ interests.
Looking Ahead
For those who want to understand the latest developments more clearly – including what may come next – Jason Swan will be hosting a live Golden Visa webinar on February 12 at 5 p.m. Lisbon time, offering an up-to-date overview of the program and the wider legal landscape.
You can secure your place here: Register Now
