Portugal speeds up Golden Visa to EU nationality

Portugal revises its nationality law, allowing residency application processing time to count towards citizenship eligibility.

In a pivotal update, Portugal’s legal framework on citizenship has undergone notable changes. The time spent waiting for residency approval is now included in the nationality eligibility period, a move set to streamline the immigration procedure.

The Portuguese government’s latest amendment to its nationality law marks a significant stride in refining the immigration system. This update, ratified by the Parliament, aims to streamline the process for residents and citizenship applicants who have been navigating bureaucratic delays at the hands of AIMA, formerly known as SEF.

This reform targets the bottleneck in acquiring Portuguese citizenship, specifically the residency requirement. Previously, a five-year residency in Portugal was mandatory, among other conditions. The new law now considers the duration from the submission to the approval of the temporary residency permit as part of this residency requirement.

Article 15 of the nationality law has been redefined to integrate the waiting time for temporary residency permit approval into the total legal residency period necessary for citizenship, contingent upon the permit’s eventual issuance.

Patricia Casaburi, CEO of Global Citizen Solutions, a Portugal-based investment migration and relocation firm, comments on the reform: “Portugal is making a significant, rational move. This change is crucial, especially after recent years have seen Portugal become less attractive for residency and citizenship plans. Now, Portugal is taking a substantial step forward.”

Expected to be enforced shortly after its announcement in the Official Gazette and presidential endorsement, this revision provides relief to those experiencing residency approval delays, some dating back to 2021. These delays will now count towards the nationality application, enabling a swifter process. Casaburi adds, “This is especially beneficial for applicants of various visas, including the D7 and the Portugal Golden Visa Program.”

Prospective residents aiming for Portuguese citizenship in 2024 can now expect to meet the five-year residency criterion by 2029, regardless of potential application processing delays. This amendment is a major move towards enhancing the experience of those wishing to settle in Portugal.

Global Citizen Solutions will host an informative session on Monday, 8th January at 5pm (GMT). Patricia Casaburi and Head of Legal, Joana Mendonça, will discuss the new law and its positive implications for potential and current Portuguese residency applicants.

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