- Lei Orgânica n.º 1/2026 was published in Diário da República n.º 95/2026 on 18 May 2026 and took effect on 19 May 2026.
- Naturalisation now requires 10 years of legal residency for most nationals, and 7 years for EU and CPLP nationals — up from 5.
- Applications filed on or before 18 May 2026 are grandfathered under the prior Lei 37/81 (five-year) regime.
- Golden Visa (ARI) residency rights are unchanged; permanent residence after five years is unchanged.
- Qualifying routes remain: investment funds (€500,000), cultural donation (€250,000, or €200,000 in low-density areas), scientific research and job creation. The real-estate route was removed in 2023.
- The Government has 90 days to publish an updated Regulamento da Nacionalidade.
Portugal remains one of Europe's most sought-after residency-by-investment destinations, and recent legal changes have generated more questions than the facts warrant. If you hold a Golden Visa, have an application in progress, or are weighing Portugal against other programmes, the most important message is this: the residency programme is intact, and the law protects those who have already acted. If you would like a clear, personalised read on your situation, you can book a free consultation with our team at any point.
As a Swiss-based boutique advisory with IMC and ACAMS credentials and a 99% approval rate across more than 350 Golden Visa cases, Mirabello Consultancy's role here is simple: give you accurate information and a grounded plan, never alarm.
What did Portugal's 2026 Nationality Law actually change?
Lei Orgânica n.º 1/2026 was published in Diário da República n.º 95/2026 on 18 May 2026 and entered into force the next day, 19 May 2026. It extends the residency period required before applying for citizenship: 10 years for most nationalities, and 7 years for nationals of EU member states and of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) — up from the previous five years.
Crucially, this is a change to the naturalisation timeline. It is not a change to the Golden Visa (Autorização de Residência para Investimento, or ARI) itself.
Are pending citizenship applications grandfathered?
Yes. Under Artigo 7.º of the new law, nationality applications filed on or before 18 May 2026 continue to be assessed under the prior Lei 37/81 regime — meaning the five-year rule still applies to them. If you submitted a complete naturalisation application before the law took effect, the new 7- and 10-year periods do not apply to you.
For investors still at the residency stage who have not yet filed a nationality application, the new 7- or 10-year requirement applies to any application submitted from 19 May 2026 onward. The distinction between "already filed" and "not yet filed" is therefore decisive, and it is the first thing we review with every client.
Do Golden Visa residency rights change under the new law?
No. The Golden Visa continues to grant Portuguese residency on the same terms, with the same family-reunification benefits, the same low physical-presence requirement of roughly seven days per year, and the same path to permanent residence after five years. Media reports describing investor uncertainty relate to the longer citizenship timeline, not to any loss of residency rights. The Portugal Golden Residence Permit remains fully active in 2026.
Which Golden Visa investment routes remain in 2026?
Four principal routes remain available after the real-estate option was removed in 2023:
- Investment funds: €500,000 into qualifying Portuguese venture-capital or private-equity funds (minimum five-year maturity; funds cannot invest in real estate directly or indirectly).
- Cultural donation: €250,000 to a qualifying cultural or heritage project, reduced to €200,000 in designated low-density areas.
- Scientific research: €500,000 into recognised research activities.
- Job creation: incorporating a company and creating at least 10 permanent jobs (8 in low-density areas).
For a side-by-side view of these against other European options, see our guide to the best golden visa investment programmes.
What should current and prospective investors do now?
If you have already filed a naturalisation application, you are grandfathered and should simply keep your file complete and responsive. If you hold residency but have not yet applied for citizenship, plan around the 7- or 10-year horizon and keep your renewals and presence records in order. If you are still considering Portugal, the programme remains a strong residency play — the longer citizenship timeline is a planning factor, not a reason to abandon it. The Government has 90 days to publish an updated Regulamento da Nacionalidade, which will clarify procedural details, and we monitor that closely.
How does Portugal compare with faster citizenship routes?
For investors whose priority is a quicker citizenship timeline, it is worth comparing Portugal with other programmes as part of a portfolio approach. The Greece Golden Visa offers efficient EU residency, while Cyprus permanent residency by investment suits those prioritising stability and tax planning. The right answer depends on your nationality, timeline and objectives — which is precisely the conversation we have with every client.
For authoritative, independent reference, consult the Portuguese Diário da República and the Investment Migration Council (IMC).
Frequently Asked Questions: Portugal Golden Visa & Nationality Law 2026?
Did Portugal close the Golden Visa?
No. The Golden Visa (ARI) remains fully active in 2026 with funds, cultural-donation, research and job-creation routes. Only the citizenship timeline changed, not the residency programme.
How long until citizenship now?
Ten years of legal residency for most nationalities, and seven years for EU and CPLP nationals, for applications filed from 19 May 2026. Applications filed earlier keep the five-year rule.
Is the real-estate route available?
No. Portugal removed the real-estate and capital-transfer routes in 2023. Qualifying investment is now made primarily through funds, cultural donations, research or job creation.
Will permanent residence still be available after five years?
Yes. Permanent residence after five years of legal residency is unchanged. The new law affects the citizenship timeline, not permanent residency.
How do I start with Mirabello Consultancy?
Begin with a free, no-obligation consultation. As a Zurich-based boutique advisory with IMC and ACAMS certification and a 99% approval rate, we assess your eligibility, confirm whether you are grandfathered, and design a precise, discreet plan. Book your free consultation.
Portugal's 2026 Nationality Law lengthened the road to citizenship, but it left the Golden Visa residency programme intact and protected everyone who had already filed. For most investors, the practical reality is far calmer than the headlines suggest: residency rights are unchanged, the five-year permanent-residence milestone still stands, and a clear plan around the new timeline is entirely achievable. Mirabello Consultancy helps you confirm exactly where you stand and choose the path — Portugal or a faster alternative — that fits your goals. Book your free consultation today.
