On April 1, 2026, Portugal’s Assembly of the Republic voted 152 to 64 to approve a nationality law decree Here is everything you need to know about Portugal citizenship law 2026 and the new 10-year decree. that would change the citizenship waiting period from five years to ten. For EU and CPLP nationals, the proposed timeline is seven years. The decree, pushed through by a deal between PSD and Chega with support from Liberal Initiative, passed with more than two thirds of the chamber.
The most significant detail is what the decree does not include: transitional protections. Proposals for grandfathering existing residents, graduated phase in periods, and preservation of the application date counting method were all rejected. If this decree is promulgated into law, current Golden Visa holders and immigrants who planned their relocation around the five year timeline could face a decade long wait, and years already spent in Portugal may not count in the way they expected.
It is important to stress: this decree has not been promulgated. It is not yet law. The President of the Republic must still act on it, and he has several options, including veto and referral to the Constitutional Court.
What Was Voted On and Why It Matters
The current citizenship framework allowes non EU residents to apply for Portuguese nationality after five years of legal residency. This was one of the programme’s strongest selling points, particularly for Golden Visa investors who could maintain residency with just seven days per year in Portugal while building toward EU citizenship.
For the investment migration community, the absence of transitional protections is the core concern. Thousands of high net worth investors made large financial commitments to Portugal with a clear understanding of the citizenship timeline. And let’s be honest about something. We all know the Golden Visa is a residency programme, not a citizenship one. But the five year citizenship path was a core part of Portugal’s value proposition. Why would anyone choose Portugal at EUR 500,000 when you could get a Greek Golden Visa for half the price, three times faster, and through real estate? The citizenship timeline was the answer to that question. Changing those rules retroactively, without protecting the people already in the system, raises serious questions about legitimate expectations and legal certainty. Now, I want to be fair. This law was not written with the intention to affect investors. It addresses much broader migration topics. But collateral damage is still damage, and if it passes as written, the repercussions for Portugal’s reputation with international investors would be significant.
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Three Scenarios From Here
The approved decree is not yet law. It now sits on the desk of President Antonio Jose Seguro, who has three options.
Scenario 1: Promulgation
The President signs the decree into law. The ten year rule would take effect with no transitional protections. This would affect tens of thousands of investors and immigrants retroactively. It would likely trigger legal challenges and significant political controversy.
Scenario 2: Presidential Veto
President Seguro, a Socialist, could veto the decree. His party opposed the legislation and warned of constitutional deficiencies. If vetoed, parliament could override with an absolute majority of 116 votes. Given that 152 deputies voted in favour, override is mathematically possible, though a veto would create political space for negotiation on transitional protections.
Scenario 3: Constitutional Court Referral
The President could refer the decree to the Constitutional Court for review before signing. The court has already struck down provisions of earlier nationality law revisions on constitutional grounds. The lack of transitional protections and the retroactive nature of the proposed changes could face constitutional challenge. This route would take months and the outcome is uncertain.
What This Means for Golden Visa Investors
Even if the worst case scenario plays out and the decree becomes law, the Portugal Golden Visa retains several unique features that no other European programme can match.
The vote targets the nationality law, not the permanent residency law or the ARI (Golden Visa) regulations. Portugal remains the only EU country offering a path to permanent residency without requiring actual relocation. The seven day per year minimum stay rule continues. Investors can still recover their capital at year five and maintain permanent residency indefinitely until citizenship becomes ultimately available.
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Recommendation
Do not make decisions based on any single scenario. Build a strategy that works regardless of the outcome. Portugal still works. The value proposition has shifted, not collapsed. Go in with eyes open and plan for what is confirmed rather than what is speculated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the new 10 year citizenship rule already in effect?
No. The decree has been approved by parliament but requires presidential promulgation to become law. President Seguro has not yet signed it and retains the authority to veto or refer it to the Constitutional Court.
Does this affect my Golden Visa permanent residency?
No. The vote concerns the nationality (citizenship) law only. The ARI programme, permanent residency eligibility in year 5, and the seven day minimum stay rule remain unchanged regardless of what happens with this decree.
Can I still get EU residency rights without Portuguese citizenship?
After five years of legal residency, you may be eligible for an EU Long Term Resident permit, which allows you to apply for residency in other member states through a simplified process. This is not equivalent to citizenship but provides broader EU access.
Should I still apply for the Portugal Golden Visa?
The programme remains attractive, still the only available path in Europe that works towards a EU Passport without relocation. The citizenship timeline may become longer if this decree is signed into law, but the residency benefits remain unique in Europe. Nothing about the Golden Visa programme itself has changed as a result of this vote (7 day rule, Divestment + PR in year 5).
