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Clarifying the Rumors
A lot of people are worried that Portugal will abolish the Golden Visa’s famous 7‑day per year minimum stay rule. While anything is possible in future reforms, the current draft law does NOT mention this.
The actual focus is on extending the residency period for citizenship eligibility and tightening requirements – not on changing the Golden Visa stay obligation. Claims that the 7‑day rule is being removed are myths at this stage.
What the Draft Law Actually Proposes
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Increase to Citizenship Wait Time:
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10 years for most applicants
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7 years for CPLP nationals (Portuguese‑speaking countries)
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Some discussion exists around a 5 → 7 year change for all, but this is not final
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When the ‘Clock’ Starts: From residence permit issuance date, not application date
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New Civic Knowledge Test: Added alongside current A2 language requirement
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Stricter Criminal Record Rules: Broader legal bars to naturalization
✅ Important: No reference to ending the 7‑day Golden Visa minimum stay requirement.
Parliamentary Timeline (August 2025)
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August: Parliament is on summer break—no legislative activity
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September: Final vote expected in the third week of September 2025
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Earliest Start Date if Passed: November 2025
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Possible Delays: Constitutional challenges, political negotiations (no majority), presidential veto
Constitutional Protection & “Grandfathering”
Applications made before the law takes effect should be protected under today’s 5‑year rule, thanks to direitos adquiridos (acquired rights) protections in Portugal’s Constitution.
This means if you begin your legal residency before any changes are enforced, you should keep your rights, even if the new law passes later. Lawyers, industry professionals, and constitutional experts widely support this view, though official confirmation will depend on the final text.
Planning Your Timeline
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Worst‑Case: Law passes September → in force November 2025 → act now if you want current rules
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Realistic: Delays push enforcement to December 2025 or early 2026
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Recommendation: Start your Golden Visa now, it positions you strongly for grandfathering protections
How to Secure the Current 5‑Year Pathway
If you’re serious about obtaining Portuguese citizenship through the Golden Visa under the existing 5‑year requirement, the window is still open, but it’s narrowing.
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Final Thoughts
The legislative process in Portugal tends to move slower than headlines suggest, but the safest move is still to act early. By starting now, you protect yourself from abrupt changes and maximize your odds of benefiting from current, favorable rules.
⚠️ DISCLAIMER
This content represents personal opinions, analysis, and interpretation of publicly available information by Matias Aguayo. Neither Matias Aguayo, Aguayo Grove, nor Holborn Assets can guarantee any outcomes, results, or legal interpretations regarding Portugal’s citizenship laws, Golden Visa program, or immigration processes.
Immigration and investment laws are complex, subject to change, and may be interpreted differently by Portuguese authorities. Constitutional protections, grandfathering provisions, and timelines discussed here are based on current analysis and expert opinions but cannot be guaranteed.
This is not legal, financial, or tax advice. Before making any investment or immigration decision, you must conduct your own independent research (DYOR)
All investment and immigration decisions carry inherent risks, including the potential for loss.
