What are the main recent changes to Portuguese immigration law for residency applicants?

Recent amendments to Portuguese immigration law have introduced a longer residency requirement before foreign residents can apply for Portuguese citizenship, increasing the period required from five to seven years of legal residence in Portugal. These changes form part of a new proposal under discussion in the Portuguese parliament, which aims to align citizenship rules with other Western European countries while ensuring long term stability.

How do the new rules affect Golden Visa holders seeking citizenship eligibility?

Under the current rules, Golden Visa holders can still submit a citizenship application after the required years of legal residence, but the proposed changes may extend that timeline. The government intends to apply increasing scrutiny to each golden visa application, ensuring investment options meet stricter standards. While the program remains an attractive option for investors, the citizenship reform could delay the point at which most applicants can apply for Portuguese citizenship.

Does the transitional regime apply to those who have already started the residence permit process?

Yes, the transitional regime in the new legislation means that new applicants are subject to the revised timeline only if their initial application is submitted after the law enters into force. Those who already hold a residence card or have undergone significant progress in the application process may retain the original period required for citizenship eligibility.

Will family members still be included in residency rights under the new proposal?

Family members—including spouses, dependent children, and sometimes minor children—remain eligible to join the main applicant under the family reunification provisions of Portuguese law. However, under the proposed changes, authorities will verify school attendance for dependent children and require proof of integration into the Portuguese community.

What counts as legal residence in Portugal for citizenship purposes?

Legal residence in Portugal means holding a valid residence permit—temporary or permanent—issued under Portuguese immigration law. This includes permits gained through work, study, family reunification, or investment routes such as the golden visa or D2 visa. Time spent in Portugal under a tourist visa does not count toward the years of legal residence required.

How does the longer residency requirement affect Portuguese speaking countries’ citizens?

Citizens of Portuguese speaking countries traditionally benefit from a reduced residency requirement, often only five years instead of the standard period. While the longer residency requirement is part of the new proposal, Portuguese nationality law is expected to preserve this special provision, reflecting historic ties between Portugal and other Portuguese language countries.

What additional requirements could affect citizenship eligibility under the new legislation?

The proposed changes introduce additional checks, such as verifying a clean criminal record and ensuring applicants have not served an effective prison sentence for crimes punishable by more than three years. Proof of a Portuguese bank account, valid passport, and—if applicable—private health insurance or registration with the serviço nacional de saúde will also be mandatory.

When will the final approval of the proposed changes take place?

The law is currently being debated in the Portuguese parliament, with final approval expected in the coming weeks. The cabinet minister responsible for immigration has stated that the government intends for the law to enter into force by July 2025, giving consular channels and immigration services time to adjust their application process.

How will the new legislation affect foreign residents in smaller towns compared to major cities?

Foreign residents in smaller towns may find integration requirements easier to meet due to stronger community ties, which can support an applicant’s claim of an effective connection to Portugal. However, the longer residency requirement and retroactive application rules will still apply equally, whether living in the Algarve region, Lisbon, or other major cities.

Will residency cards be automatically extended under the proposed changes?

Yes, as part of efforts to reduce bureaucracy, residency cards will be automatically extended for certain categories, especially for those whose renewal falls during the transition to the new legislation. This measure is designed to provide long-term certainty and ensure no gap in legal residence status while applications for renewal or citizenship are pending.

Portugal Residency Law Changes: A Complete Guide for 2025

In Portugal, there are several ways to acquire residency, which allows you to live in Portugal for an extended period, often with the option to work, study, and eventually apply for permanent residency or citizenship.

However, several proposed Portugal residency law changes could affect how foreigners and non-EU citizens progress through the immigration stages.

The first permit you’ll be issued is a temporary residency permit, usually valid for one or two years, and can be renewed. You can apply for permanent residency after five years of legal residence (for now), whether via investment, employment, entrepreneurship, or passive income.

If you choose, you might be eligible for Portuguese citizenship if you meet the language and integration requirements.

In this article, we’ll detail the latest proposed changes and how they can affect residency for thousands already living in Portugal.

You’ll also learn more about:

Portugal residency law changes in 2025
Previous changes to Portugal’s residency requirements
Who needs a Portugal residency visa?
How to get residency in Portugal

Immigration Law vs. Nationality Law

It’s important to note that there is a distinction between immigration and nationality law. This article tracks changes to Portugal’s immigration law, which governs residency and immigration conditions. A separate article covers the changes in Portugal’s nationality law, which sets citizenship conditions.

Portugal’s Residency Law Changes in 2025

16 October

Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa ratified the Portuguese Parliament’s approved changes of 30 September without any amendments. This is the 19th version of the law, now deemed constitutional and awaiting publication in the Official Gazette.

This means it will officially be signed into law and become active soon, which includes:

The Job Seeker Visa is only available to “highly qualified” professionals in eligible professions.
Immigrants from CPLP countries can no longer convert tourist visas into residence permits.
Dependent family members seeking family reunification (in-country applications) can only apply after two years of residence by the main applicant.
Couples who have been together for at least 18 months must prove 15 months of legal residence and can wait up to 9 months for AIMA’s response regarding Family Reunification. However, immediate reunification is still allowed for couples with minor children and holders of a Portugal Highly Qualified Activity Visa (D3) or a Portugal Golden Visa.

30 September

In September 2025, the Portuguese Parliament approved changes to the immigration law (pending presidential promulgation). Until the President signs the decree into law, the current D6 rules remain in force. Key points affecting D6 applicants include:

Waiting Periods: A general two-year waiting period for Family Reunification remains, but with important exceptions. No waiting period applies for minors, incapacitated dependents, co-parent spouses, Golden Visa holders, and highly qualified professionals. Spouses who cohabited for at least one year before entry face only a one-year wait.
Ministerial Discretion: The government may waive waiting periods in exceptional cases.
Processing Times: Family reunification decisions must be made within nine months, with a possible nine-month extension in extraordinary cases (not applicable to immediate reunification categories).
Integration Requirements: Applicants must attend Portuguese language and values training, while minors must be enrolled in compulsory education. Permits are renewed depending on compliance.
Transitional Rule: When the law takes effect, family members already in Portugal will have a 180-day window to apply under the new framework.

8 August

On 25 July, Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa submitted an urgent formal request to the Constitutional Court to evaluate the constitutionality of specific provisions in a decree that would alter Law 23/2007 (known as the Immigration Law) before it becomes effective.

In its ruling on 8 August, Portugal’s highest constitutional authority struck down critical provisions of the government’s proposed changes to family reunification, among other immigration and citizenship changes.

The Constitutional Court declared unconstitutional several restrictive measures, including:

Mandatory two-year waiting periods for spouse reunification
Extended processing times from 3 to 18 months for family applications
Excessive integration requirements beyond constitutional parameters
Limited access to judicial protection for immigration cases

Following this constitutional ruling, the legislative amendments are automatically sent back to Parliament for review.

When Parliament reconvenes in mid-September 2025, lawmakers must draft new provisions that comply with constitutional requirements before any legislation can be re-approved and resubmitted to the President.

This process provides additional protection while ensuring future immigration laws respect fundamental constitutional rights.

16 July 2025

In a Portuguese Assembly sitting, the government approved Decree No. 6/XVII, which amended Law No. 23/2007, widely known as the national Immigration Law. While the decree hasn’t been written into law yet, this is the final parliamentary stage before reaching the President for final approval and publication in the Diário da República before becoming enforceable.

Some of the key changes under the decree include changes to the Job Seeker Visa, family reunification rules, and changes for CPLP countries.

The Qualified Job Search Visa is introduced to target individuals with specialized technical skills, guaranteed scheduling for residency applications within 120 days, and a one-year re-entry restriction if employment is not secured during visa validity.
Family Reunification Visa (D6) members outside Portugal must fulfill at least two years of residency before eligibility. The completion of integration programs, including Portuguese language and education on constitutional values, is now mandatory. Minor children are eligible for reunification only when physically present in Portuguese territory. The standard processing timeline for family reunification requests is increased to nine months, but some may be extended to eighteen months in complex cases.
Changes for CPLP countries include that nationals must now secure a residence visa before applying for a residence permit, and ending pathways that previously allowed residence permits without prior visas.

The process for presidential approval and publication takes about 8-20 days, and ongoing applications are unaffected and remain subject to existing regulations.

Previous Changes to Portugal’s Residency Requirements

portugal best cities to live e1707566924865 300x210

This isn’t the first time Portugal’s immigration and residency rules have been changed or proposed. In March 2024, the updated Nationality Law clarified that the five-year residency period begins when you submit your application for a residence permit.

Previously, the five-year residency period for acquiring citizenship and obtaining a Portuguese passport began with the issuance of the first residence permit card after the application for a residence permit had been approved. The proposal in 2025 will restore this stance, effectively voiding the 2024 changes.

Additionally, changes were made to the residency requirements for Portuguese Sephardic Jews. In addition to demonstrating that they belong to a Sephardic community of Portuguese origin, the applicant must have legally resided in Portugal (or Portuguese territory) for at least three years, consecutive or interpolated.

Portugal also eliminated the “manifestation of interest” route, which allowed migrants without a visa to regularize their status solely by presenting intent to reside. People with existing work contracts or social security contributions would have been eligible for transitional provisions, but new applicants must follow standard visa channels.

Who needs a Portugal residency visa?

If you are not a citizen of the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA), or Switzerland, you must apply for a Portuguese residency visa if you plan to stay longer than 90 days. Portugal is included in the Schengen Area, allowing tourists and business travelers from various countries to visit for up to 90 days within a 180-day timeframe without needing a residency visa.

However, even if you do not require a visa for short-term tourist or business visits (such as US and UK passport holders), you must obtain a residency visa to stay longer or to establish residency. Nevertheless, Portugal has recently implemented new regulations where citizens from Brazil and Timor-Leste have an expedited path to obtain residency.

Although EU citizens do not need a residency visa for stays exceeding 90 days, there is a crucial requirement. If you stay in Portugal for more than three months, you must register your residence with the local authorities.

Portugal Golden Visa Guide: Explore your options for residency by investment

Learn More

How to Get Residency in Portugal

There are several pathways for obtaining a Portugal residency Visa, each offering access to one of Europe’s safest, most welcoming countries, along with the freedom to live, work, and travel across the Schengen Zone.

Portugal Golden Visa

The Portugal Golden Visa is a five-year residency-by-investment program aimed at non-EU nationals. It is one of the most prominent investment schemes available for those looking to acquire a residence permit. To qualify for the Portugal Golden Visa, applicants must:

Maintain a clean criminal record. Legal consultation is recommended if necessary.
Be a non-EU, non-Swiss, or non-EEA national.
Invest at least €250,000, with several Portugal Golden Visa investment fund options available.
Spend seven days in Portugal in the first year, and 14 days in each of the subsequent years.

D7 Visa

The Portugal D7 Visa, also known as the Portugal Retirement Visa or the Passive Income Visa, is an excellent option for individuals who have a consistent income source from properties, financial investments, or pensions. This visa is ideal for those who do not intend to work in Portugal but wish to live there.

Applicants for the D7 Visa must demonstrate a stable and regular passive source of income from pensions, property rentals, interest income, or financial investments to support their stay in Portugal. Specifically, it should be at least equivalent to the Portuguese minimum wage, currently set at €870.00 per month (€10,440.00 per year). Eligible income sources include pensions, rental income, interest, or other non-salaried sources.

The benefits of the D7 Visa include visa-free access to countries within the European Union, access to Portuguese public services, and a pathway to obtaining a Portuguese residence permit.

Digital Nomad Visa

The Portugal Digital Nomad Visa, officially known as the D8 Visa, is specifically designed for digital nomads, including freelancers, remote employees, self-employed individuals, and entrepreneurs who wish to acquire a residence permit and live and work in Portugal.

Eligibility for the Digital Nomad Visa includes:

Non-EU nationals: The visa is available to foreign citizens who do not belong to the European Union.
Income requirements: Applicants must demonstrate sufficient income, at least four times the Portuguese minimum wage.
Residential property: You must rent or purchase residential property in Portugal, providing proof through a rental agreement or property ownership documentation.

The D8 Visa allows for multiple entries into Portugal and provides the opportunity to apply for a residence permit. The residency permit can be extended for up to five years.

D3 Qualified Workers Visa

The Portugal D3 Visa is designed for highly skilled professionals such as scientists, researchers, and academics whom Portuguese institutions invite and offers employment contracts.

To be eligible for this Portuguese visa, the applicant must have a work or services contract or a promise that falls under the category of highly qualified activity. The contract must be for at least one year, and the salary depends on the applicant’s activity; usually, it must be at least 1.5 times the average gross annual salary in Portugal.

Why choose Global Citizen Solutions for your Immigration Visa?

GLOBAL APPROACH BY LOCAL EXPERTS

GCS has offices located across Portugal.
Members of the US-Portugal and UK-Portugal Chambers of Commerce in Portugal, and the Investment Migration Council (IMC).
Our expert team can help you throughout your journey to secure your Visa.

100% APPROVAL RATE

Our successful track record in applications provides reassurance to applicants. 
We have helped clients from more than 35 countries secure residency in Portugal.

ALL-ENCOMPASSING SOLUTION

With a single channel of communication, our approach ensures that you have complete clarity on your application. 
Our BeGlobal® Onboarding System allows for a total flow of information.

TRANSPARENCY AND PRIVACY

Our pricing is clear and detailed, you will not face any hidden costs.
All data is stored within a GDPR-compliant database on a secure SSL-encrypted server.

Footnotes