Portugal Citizenship Reform: Insights from Immigrant Invest Lawyers

Lei Organica n.o 1/2026 raises the residency requirement for naturalisation (Artigo 6.o) from the prior 5-year baseline to:

• 7 years for nationals of the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP) and nationals of European Union member states^[1]

  Source: Lei Organica n.o 1/2026 was published in Diario da Republica n.o 95/2026, Serie I on 18 May 2026; enters into force 19 May 2026 per Artigo 8.o.

  ;

• 10 years for nationals of all other countries.

The statute also introduces formal civic and democratic-values requirements for naturalisation (Artigo 6.o(1)(c)(d)(e)): sufficient knowledge of the Portuguese language, culture, history and national symbols; sufficient knowledge of the fundamental rights and duties of nationality and of the political organisation of the Portuguese State; and a solemn declaration of adherence to the fundamental principles of the democratic rule-of-law State. The A2 Portuguese language requirement (CIPLE or CAPLE) for non-Lusophone applicants is retained.

A new 10-year consolidation period (Artigo 12.o-B) applies to good-faith holding of nationality before nullity-protection takes effect, doubled from the prior 6-year period.

Whether residency time already accrued counts toward the new 7- or 10-year clock for investors who have not yet filed a nationality application is not addressed in the statute (see the next section).

Several Portuguese legal institutions, including the Bar Association and the Council of Magistrates, raised concerns about the constitutionality of the amendments during the legislative process. A separate diploma, Decreto AR n.o 49/XVII (creating an accessory penalty of loss of nationality for serious crimes), is not part of Lei Organica n.o 1/2026 and was sent for preventive constitutional review; it is not in force.

The principal unresolved question concerns Golden Visa and other residency-stage holders who have not yet filed a nationality application. The statute contains no transitional provision for this group, and whether time already accrued at the residency stage will count toward the new 7- or 10-year clock has not been addressed by AIMA. A collective legal action involving more than 500 investors (organised by Liberty Legal and Prime Legal) is forming around this question. The implementing Regulamento da Nacionalidade Portuguesa must be updated by the Government within 90 days of 18 May 2026 (Artigo 4.o Regulamentacao), which may clarify the position for residency-stage holders.

Appropriate next steps depend on whether a nationality application has already been filed with the IRN. Investors should consult their legal team about their specific situation.

For investors who filed a nationality application with the IRN on or before 18 May 2026 (the day before entry into force), Artigo 7.o.2 of Lei Organica n.o 1/2026 confirms that the prior Lei n.o 37/81 regime continues to apply to these procedures. These applications are not affected by the 7- and 10-year change.

For investors at the residency stage who have not yet filed a nationality application, the new 7-year requirement (CPLP and EU nationals) or 10-year requirement (other nationalities) applies to any nationality application filed from 19 May 2026 onward. The statute contains no transitional provision for residency-stage holders, and whether prior residency time counts toward the new clock is currently disputed and the subject of an ongoing collective legal action. AIMA has not published guidance; the implementing Regulamento da Nacionalidade Portuguesa is due within 90 days of 18 May 2026.

For applicants with biometrics already scheduled at AIMA, completing the documentation and the appointment remains the standard process for advancing the residence card. Residence permit cards are typically issued within 2 to 4 weeks after biometrics.

Permanent residency rules are not changed by Lei Organica n.o 1/2026, which addresses naturalisation (citizenship). Golden Visa investors can still apply for permanent residency after 5 years of legal residence under Aliens Act 23/2007 (Artigo 80.o)^[2]

Source: Information on permanent residence for holders of residence permits is published on the AIMA website.

Portuguese permanent residency grants almost all the same rights as citizenship, including residence, study and work. The principal exceptions are voting in national elections and holding a Portuguese passport. Permanent residents may later apply for naturalisation once they meet the applicable residency requirement under the new law.

Golden Visa holders must maintain their investment until receiving permanent residency. The recommended physical presence remains 7 days in the first year and 14 days every 2 years thereafter.

Proof of address is mandatory, but the property can be located anywhere in Portugal. Short-term rental contracts (such as Airbnb) do not qualify. Immigrant Invest's legal experts recommend having at least a 1-year lease or loan-to-use agreement before applying for permanent residency or naturalisation.

Current official AIMA fees (2025 table) are:

• EUR 8,463 for the initial Golden Visa issuance;

• EUR 4,326 for renewal;

• EUR 3,090 for permanent residency.

Fees are updated annually by AIMA. Check the latest rates before submitting an application, as fees may change annually due to administrative adjustments and inflation^[3]

Source: The official 2025 fee table for residence permits and Golden Visa procedures is published on the AIMA website.

With proper follow-up, permanent residency cards are now issued quickly, usually within a month. However, efficiency depends on having a legal team that monitors the process in real time and communicates directly with AIMA.

Immigrant Invest’s close cooperation with local authorities allows faster resolution of issues such as unrecognised payment receipts and system errors that can otherwise delay applications for months.

Staying informed and prepared is the most practical approach. Investors should keep their residence and investment documentation up to date and coordinate closely with their legal and financial advisors.

Lei Organica n.o 1/2026 has extended the naturalisation residency requirement to 7 years for CPLP and EU nationals and 10 years for other nationalities. Golden Visa investors retain the right to apply for permanent residency after 5 years under the unchanged Aliens Act regime.

With the new nationality law in force from 19 May 2026, preparation and close coordination with qualified legal professionals -- informed by whether you have already filed a nationality application -- remain the recommended path.