Initial reports suggest that, under certain conditions, the proposed legislation could double the current minimum residency requirement for applying for permanent residency or dual EU citizenship—from five to ten years.

However, the situation remains hypothetical. No formal bill has been submitted to parliament, nor has any law been passed or debated.

Any prospective changes would need to pass through ministerial scrutiny before even being discussed in parliament, and the legislative process is expected to take considerable time.

Portugal has long maintained a thoughtful, measured stance on immigration—especially for individuals who contribute through the Golden Visa residency-by-investment programme, business, cultural involvement, and long-term integration.

Key legal and financial professionals are already engaged in a government task force, with the goal of ensuring that any future legislation remains transparent, reasonable, and constitutionally sound.

The focus, they emphasise, is on upholding legal certainty and protecting the legitimate expectations of applicants—core principles embedded in the Portuguese Constitution.

Paul Stannard, chairman and founder of Portugal Pathways and the Portugal Investment Owners Club, said:

“It is important not to speculate until things have gone through parliament. Our expert partners are already providing strategic guidance during this period of uncertainty.

“Acting early with foresight — and with the right partners — can help individuals navigate this moment with more confidence.

“Sources we work with in the government task force behind the draft have emphasised that any proposed changes should not retroactively impact those who have already begun, completed, or have already shown intent before anything becomes law.

Credits: Supplied Image; Author: Client; Experts are calling for calm amid speculation around potential proposed changes to Portugal's citizenship timelines.

“If people plan and act early, they will achieve the best outcome through our trusted expert partner network at Portugal Pathways.

“Despite geopolitical issues worldwide, Portugal continues to be stable, safe, tax-efficient, and economically resilient, as well as geographically perfectly situated based on what is happening right now in other parts of the world. These qualities remain key drivers for individuals and families pursuing a secure and vibrant future in the country.”

This perspective is shared by Portuguese legal experts, who advise those considering the Portugal Golden Visa route to act now while the current laws remain unchanged.

Henrique Peyssonneau Nunes, Immigration Partner at CMS Portugal, added:

“For now, it is just a law proposal to be discussed in the Parliament, and therefore about to receive the input of all the different parties. No one can predict the final outcome nor the transitory regimes to be foreseen, as there is a long law-making process before the law takes force.

“All the different players are disputing the proposed law and trying to ensure a grandfathering period for all the applicants who had ongoing files.

“And we strongly believe that the amendments cannot be backdated to the 19th June as the Portuguese constitution prohibits the retroactive application of new laws. Also, this was exactly what happened in the last legal amendment to the Golden Visa regime, which ended up being taken off the proposal before voting by the parliament.”

Credits: Supplied Image; Author: Client; Act early with expert advice to ensure the best outcome.

In the midst of ongoing speculation, professionals continue to advise against reacting to unverified media narratives. Instead, they recommend seeking insights from qualified legal and financial advisors with direct involvement in the process.

Paul Sheedy, Special Advisor at the Portugal Future Fund—a CMVM-regulated alternative investment fund approved for Golden Visa residency-by-investment—observed:

“Since this media speculation in recent days, we have seen a number of investors decide to accelerate their application and investment process for the Golden Visa so that any potential changes have no impact on their residency and permanent citizenship in Portugal and the wider EU Schengen Region.”

Until definitive government guidance is released, the prevailing message is clear: act early, stay informed, and rely on expert counsel to navigate the evolving legal environment.

Portugal Pathways recently hosted a webinar featuring legal and professional voices from within the government task force. This session offered valuable insight into the ongoing discussions and what might lie ahead for those interested in Portuguese residency or citizenship.

Click here to access a recording of that session to better understand the potential implications and strategic options available.