Published: 18.10.2025
Portugal’s Socialist Party proposed preserving the five-year citizenship pathway for existing Golden Visa holders and applicants who filed before January 1, 2026. New applicants from non-EU and non-CPLP countries would face a proposed seven-year period, while people subject to UN or EU sanctions could be barred from citizenship.
According to the source, this is a legislative proposal rather than the current rule: it seeks to distinguish between applicants who have already started the process and new investors. Existing Golden Visa holders and people who filed before January 1, 2026 would retain a proposed five-year pathway, while new applicants from non-EU and non-CPLP countries could face a seven-year period. The proposed sanctions clause could also affect investors and other applicants subject to UN or EU restrictive measures. The issue is most worth monitoring for investment-residence applicants and people planning citizenship through residence, but the proposed timelines should not be treated as final until the changes take effect.