Path to Permanent Residency and/or Citizenship
Portugal offers both permanent residency and citizenship, but the paths differ in process and requirements. The Golden Visa grants temporary residency for an initial two-year period, renewable in subsequent two-year increments. After five years, holders may apply for permanent residency or citizenship, provided they meet the residency and integration criteria.
For citizenship, the applicant must:
- Maintain legal residence for five consecutive years (based on actual residence card issuance date).
- Demonstrate integration into Portuguese society.
- Pass an A2-level Portuguese language exam, administered by officially recognized institutions.
- Provide evidence of ties to the country (banking, utility bills, property leases, or educational enrollment).
- Maintain a clean criminal record both in Portugal and the country of origin.
While Portugal allows for dual citizenship, applicants must confirm that their country of origin does not prohibit such an arrangement. Processing times for citizenship applications can range from 12 to 24 months due to administrative backlog and background checks.
Importantly, a 2025 citizenship bill under consideration proposes extending the naturalization period from 5 to 10 years. If enacted, this change could significantly alter long-term planning for new applicants. As of now, investors applying before the law takes effect are expected to be grandfathered under the five-year rule.