Portugal - Are Changes Coming?

Portugal Golden Visa 2025: Increased Residency Time May Be Required

Currently, Portugal’s Golden Visa offers considerable flexibility. Investors are required to spend only about seven days annually in the country to maintain their residency status. Even better, this time contributes to the five-year residency requirement needed to apply for citizenship. Due to lengthy visa processing times, many investors qualify with minimal physical presence in Portugal.

However, this could change under a new proposal. The AD coalition aims to extend the minimum residency period, ensuring applicants genuinely reside in the country instead of making brief yearly visits. Essentially, they want your presence in Portugal to be genuine and consistent, not merely symbolic.

The intention is to ensure that people form a true connection with the country, rather than merely using it as a gateway to an EU passport.

Potential Changes to Portugal’s Golden Visa Rules

Before anyone becomes concerned: nothing is official yet. These proposed changes are part of the AD coalition’s election platform, meaning they would only proceed if the party wins the upcoming national election and secures sufficient parliamentary support.

Even then, such changes don’t occur instantly. Experts suggest it could take 12 to 18 months from the time a new government takes office to draft and approve any amendments to Portugal’s Nationality Law.

Not everyone is pleased with the idea. Madalena Monteiro, an immigration lawyer in Lisbon, believes the changes would be a setback, especially since Portugal has been working to simplify the citizenship process to attract more people, not fewer. She anticipates significant opposition, particularly from immigrant groups already coping with a residency system many find frustratingly inconsistent.

There's also concern about how this might affect Portugal’s reputation among international investors. The Golden Visa has been a major attraction for those looking to settle or invest in Europe. Changing the requirements now could undermine confidence in the program.

Impact on Current Golden Visa Holders

This is the key question. The proposal does not specify whether the new rules would apply to current Golden Visa holders or only future applicants. Currently, there is no indication that anyone already in the system would be affected retroactively — but in politics, nothing is certain until finalized.

Pedro Catão Pinheiro, a partner at the law firm Next Lawyer, notes that the plan faces “significant hurdles” before becoming law, but advises investors to monitor developments closely.

If you’re already on the path to Portuguese citizenship, you’re likely unaffected. However, if you’re undecided about applying, it might be wise to act sooner rather than later — just in case the rules change.

One thing is certain: the outcome of the May 2025 election will be crucial. For those hoping to make Portugal their permanent home, time may be of the essence.