There has been much debate and discussion over the Portuguese government’s move on October 24, which supported extending the path to citizenship from five to 10 years for many applicants.
The Golden Visa residency-by-investment programme remains hugely popular, with a Portugal passport – declared the fourth most powerful and appealing in the world in the Global Passport Power and Appeal Index 2025 – an enticing goal.
Available to non‑EU/EEA/Swiss citizens, it is accessible through a €500,000 commitment into one or more alternative investment funds eligible for the Portugal Golden Visa.
It has played a pivotal role in driving Portugal’s economic growth courtesy of its attractiveness to high-net-worth investors, entrepreneurs and those seeking the myriad other benefits life in the country brings.
By 2026, direct investment of €9 billion will have been made into Portugal through the Golden Visa. It is seen by many as the tip of the iceberg as thousands of Golden Visa investors bring further entrepreneurial investment and other capital into the country.
Explains Paul Stannard, founder and CEO of Portugal Pathways, a company which specialises in helping high-net-worth individuals navigate the path to a life in Portugal: “There has been a lot of concern about the discussions in parliament last Friday and the constitutional issues it throws up.
“However, many legal experts we have spoken to in the last few days are anticipating a number of challenges over the citizenship timeline before anything becomes law.
“If this moves forward, it has to go to the President, who will then decide if this is a constitutional issue - our legal partners believe it is a significant one - before it can come back, rejected, amended or signed into law.
“It is widely expected that it will be referred to Portugal’s Constitutional Court. All of this will take a little bit of time.
“Meanwhile, none of the other benefits of the Golden Visa are being altered. The programme continues to be hugely popular for a number of key reasons – and none of those are changing should the proposals eventually become law.
“All those applying will obtain a Golden Visa residency card – renewable every two years - which provides them with unfettered access to the 29 countries in the European Schengen region.
“They still only need to spend seven days a year in the country – which is particularly ideal for investors who see the nation’s huge potential – and the entry requirement, a €500,000 investment in a government-regulated investment fund is not increasing. Under the Golden Visa they can choose to continue their tax status in their current tax domicile or migrate to Portugal’s in the future.
“That route remains, as do all the benefits Portugal brings – its quality of life, excellent healthcare and education options, cost-of-living, luxury real estate, culture and, of course, the 300 days of sunshine it delivers every year.
“Our advice is not to delay while this is all taking place.
“If you already have a Golden Visa and have completed the five years of legal residency and are eligible, we’d strongly advise you to file the citizenship request as soon as possible.
“We have already seen, recently, the Constitutional Court throw out government plans to change the family reunification proposal and, according to legal experts we have spoken to, breaking a contract many applicants have already bought into by applying retrospective changes is likely to go the same way.”
Further reassurance comes as the law professor known as the “father” of Portugal’s democratic constitution raised serious concerns over the government’s direction of travel.
Jorge Miranda helped write the constitution in 1976 and has said the changes would be “unconstitutional” if alterations are imposed retrospectively.
To find out more about Portugal’s Golden Visa, visit the Portugal Pathways website today.
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Don't believe any of the Golden Visa companies. Even if you manage to get appointments, renew your visa etc, it will take an extra 3 or 4 years to get citizenship for a total of 8 years best case, perhaps more. Do your research re almost a million citizenship applications outstanding with nobody to approve them. These companies are there to create panic and urgency to make millions more but you'll be the one who feels scammed. Feel free to check the forums for experiences from people who have gone through the process.
By Joe Telford from Porto on 28 Oct 2025, 15:27
Well, one does not have to be a constitutional law expert to see unacceptability of retroactive changes-in any law generally. The very fact that the Portuguese government is considering it is to me ... bizarre.
By Lubomir Masar from USA on 28 Oct 2025, 16:18
Was interesting to see that 9 million people have entered Portugal through the golden Visa but after the initial are they actually putting money into the economy and really it's just for rich people isn't it.
By Carol ann from Lisbon on 29 Oct 2025, 08:39
As one of the many foreign residents currently in Portugal under the Golden Visa framework, I would like to ask if there is any advice or guidance on how we can formally lodge a grievance or complaint with the relevant Portuguese authorities regarding this proposed change to the citizenship timeline.
It would also be helpful to know if any legal cases or constitutional challenges are already being prepared that existing applicants could follow or possibly join in support of. Many of us have invested significantly under the previous five-year pathway in good faith, and we are understandably concerned about the potential retroactive impact of these changes.
Perhaps The Portugal News or readers here could consider opening a forum or discussion thread for affected residents to share information, coordinate efforts, and understand what legal or civic options we might have — including writing directly to the President or supporting constitutional appeals.
By Clifford Neethling from Madeira on 29 Oct 2025, 13:42