The New Portugal Government has made important reforms to immigration rules which will have an impact on foreigners including golden visa holders who apply for citizenship in Portugal.
The Government has approved the following changes into the nationality and immigration law:
- Residence time extended to 10 years (from 5 yrs) for third country nationals to apply for citizenship. Brazil, Angola and other nations from Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries will have to wait 7 years for nationality.
- Cultural test introduced along with Portuguese language test for citizenship.
- Granting of citizenship sephardic jews has been discontinued
- Legal residence of the parents for a minimum period of three years will now be required.
- Applications will be rejected from individuals with criminal records
- Naturalization will be permitted up to the third generation (great-grandchildren).
- Loss of nationality will apply to naturalized citizens based on seriousness and circumstances of the crime committed
- Family reunification: a minimum of two years of legal residence will be required to request reunification. The request may only be made within national territory in the case of minors. Priority is given to the reunification of minors.
- AIMA will grant extension will be granted until October 15, 2025 for those with expired documents and renewal requests
“These reforms were made to adjust the government policy in line with demographic shifts and social needs.”
-Minister Antonio Amaro
The Government has promised modernizing the Golden Visa program with the aim of making it more attractive promising tax cuts.
The Government intends to present the draft laws to Parliament later this week. The bill will become a law after signed by president and will be later published in national gazette.
