On April 1st, 2026, the Portuguese Parliament approved sweeping amendments to the citizenship law.
The country has extended the naturalisation period to 10 years for most foreign nationals and introduced stricter grounds for revoking citizenship.
Pedro Barata, Senior Investment Migration Advisor, outlined the key changes.
Key provisions affecting investors
The parliamentary vote lasted longer than the scheduled 37 minutes. A total of 152 MPs voted in favour — from PSD, Chega, CDS-PP and IL — while 64 MPs from PS, PCP, BE, Livre and PAN voted against[1] соурце: 1
1. Naturalisation period. Third-country nationals must now reside in Portugal for 10 years before applying for a passport, instead of the previous 5.
For EU citizens and nationals of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries, the period will be 7 years.
2. Start of the qualifying period. The 10-year period will now be counted from the date the first residence permit is issued, rather than from the date of application, as was previously the case[2] соруце 2
3. No transitional period. The new rules will take effect immediately after promulgation by the President.
In addition, Parliament approved amendments to the Criminal Code: naturalised citizens may now be stripped of their passport for particularly serious crimes. The measure passed with 151 votes in favour and 65 against[3].
Pedro Barata,
Senior Investment Migration Advisor
The final version of the law still needs to be published. This will take a few days, after which it will be sent to the President for signature. The President has 20 days to promulgate it. Once published in the official gazette, Diário da República, the law will come into force.
The President still has the right to veto the law or refer it to the Constitutional Court, but this scenario is unlikely.
Where is it faster to obtain second citizenship?
The extension of the naturalisation period to 10 years may deter holders of the Golden Visa and other residence permits.
According to Immigrant Invest experts, investors obtaining residence permits in Portugal in 2026 will only be eligible for citizenship between 2036 and 2038. This reduces the appeal of Portuguese naturalisation as a tool for long-term mobility.
No EU country grants citizenship by investment, and the standard naturalisation period typically starts at 5 years.
Caribbean countries issue passports in as little as 4 months. In São Tomé and Príncipe or Vanuatu, the process can be even faster — starting at 2 months.
Caribbean passports are less “powerful” than a Portuguese one, offering visa-free access to fewer countries. However, second citizenship is not chosen solely for travel, but also as a way to diversify assets or secure a backup option.
What should investors do?
Portugal remains a strong option for those who plan to live, invest, or build long-term ties with the EU. However, it may no longer serve as a route to fast citizenship.
If the proposed changes come into force, investors obtaining a Portuguese residence permit in 2026 could only become eligible for citizenship between 2036 and 2038. In that case, Portugal would still suit some families, but primarily as a long-term residence and naturalisation strategy.
The right decision depends on each investor’s goals, family plans, timeline, and priorities. Immigrant Invest lawyers can assess the situation and help choose the most suitable route.
