TL;DR

In late 2025 Portugal's immigration laws changed a lot. The Portuguese parliament approved big changes to the Portuguese nationality law. But the Constitutional Court ruled that four parts of the law were not allowed by the Constitution. This makes it hard for many expats to decide what to do.

Current State of Portugal Immigration Law 2026

The rule that says you have to be a resident for 5 years is still in effect. Before the changes can be applied, Parliament needs to change the parts of the law that are not constitutional. After it is fixed, the new law will set a 10-year threshold to become a Portuguese citizen. People from the EU and the CPLP will need 7 years instead of 5.

The requirements for permanent residency haven't changed because of the new reforms. You still qualify after living in Portugal legally for five years.

This makes permanent residency the faster and more reliable way to go today. A lot of Portugal immigration lawyers now say that getting permanent residency first is a good idea.

Portugal Permanent Residency: The 5-Year Path

After living in Portugal legally for five years, you can still get permanent residency. This timeline is for all types of visas, even those who have a Golden Visa. The requirements are clear and have not changed.

Requirements for Portugal PR

• You need to show that you have lived legally in the country for five years without a break
• All applicants must be able to speak Portuguese at the A2 level

The Permanent Residence Permit Gives You

• In Portugal, you can live, work, and study without any restrictions
• You can use social services and the healthcare system
• You don't need a visa to travel around the Schengen Area

Portugal Citizenship: The Changing Timeline

The new law also changes when the countdown to your residency starts. Earlier the countdown started on the date you applied for a visa. Now it will begin on the day you get your residence permit. AIMA processing delays of 2 to 4 years make the total wait times much longer.

Extra Requirements for Portuguese Naturalization

• New civic tests are one of the extra requirements
• You need to pass a test on Portuguese culture and civic knowledge
• The rules for the A2 language requirement stay the same as they are now
• You must have a clean criminal record in both Portugal and your home country

Key Differences Between PR and Citizenship

There are pros and cons to both permanent residency and Portuguese citizenship. Knowing these differences will help you pick the best path. Which option is best for you will depend on your own situation.

Benefits of Portuguese Citizenship

• If you are a citizen of Portugal, you can get an EU passport that lets you move freely
• You can freely live and work anywhere in the EU
• As a citizen, you have the right to vote in Portuguese elections
• You don't lose your status if you stay away from Portugal for a long time

Which Path Makes Sense for Golden Visa Holders?

Portugal's new rules make things different for people with Golden Visas. You only need to be in Portugal for about seven days a year for the program. This short stay makes you eligible for both PR and citizenship in the future.

The best thing for Golden Visa investors to do is to apply for permanent residence first. After five years, get your permanent residence status right away.

Which Path Makes Sense for D7 Visa Holders?

D7 Visa has the same 5-year PR timeline. Being in Portugal all the time might actually help later on with citizenship applications.

Permanent residence gives immediate security to retirees on D7 visas who are financially independent. After just five years, you have the right to live there forever.

If citizenship is important to your future plans, start getting ready now. Take classes in Portuguese and write down how you fit into your community. These things will help you whether you apply in five years or ten.

Conclusion

You have more rights as a Portuguese citizen, but it takes a lot longer to get them. The 10-year wait may not work for everyone. But an EU passport gives you the best freedom of movement and safety.

For most expats, getting permanent residence status first is the smartest thing to do. You can always apply for Portuguese citizenship later, when the rules are more stable. The most important thing is to act now, while the 5-year PR path is still open.