Portuguese residents waiting to apply for citizenship can now breathe a huge sigh of relief! The Portuguese Parliament passed significant amendments on March 5th to the Portuguese Nationality Law, Organic Law 1/2024, which will usher in transformative changes and effectively streamline the process of acquiring Portuguese citizenship. This amendment is set to reduce waiting times for citizenship by as much as 12-18 months.
Before the updates passed in March to the Portuguese Nationality Law, the clock for the mandatory five-year residency requirement only began ticking upon the issuance of the first resident card, after having the appointment with a representative from immigration.
This would extend the waiting period to apply for residency to up to seven years for some unlucky applicants. Under the new law, Portugal residents, including D1, D3, D7, D8, and Golden Visa holders, basically anyone living in Portugal with a resident card, can now start their residency clock from the time when the request for temporary residency authorization is considered (provided the application is ultimately approved).
The Steps to Obtaining Portuguese Citizenship
Some Examples
Note: Based on the new amendments, it is still unclear if the 5-year clock starts on the day that approval for the visa is received via email or the date that the temporary visa begins.
Either way, the new amendments greatly reduce the time required to apply for citizenship, a boon for anyone currently waiting to apply for citizenship or considering beginning the Portuguese residency process.
These changes essentially mean that any delays from the Portuguese government after an applicant first receives approval will not count against the applicant. The 5-year clock immediately starts ticking.
It is important to note that previous requirements for citizenship remain the same, including the passing of a Portuguese language test to at least A2 on the CEFR scale, proof of residence in Portugal for the required time, a birth certificate, and a criminal record certificate.
Considering Portugal’s Golden Visa Program? Everything you need to know + how to qualify with 325,000 EUR
If you’re interested in finding out the latest details about the Golden Visa program and want to take advantage of the new opportunities. Signup for a live Q&A webinar with an expert from Holborn Assets that will answer all your questions. The event is scheduled for November 14 at 5 PM Lisbon Time (1 PM EST). The live webinar will cover the following:
- Golden Visa basics, how to qualify, who can be included
- New Investment Criteria for 2024
- Golden Visa timeline and process
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- What tax breaks are available?
- Live Q&A for all questions
*If you cannot attend the seminar or would prefer one-on-one, book a call here.
Final Thoughts
Although getting documents together and making the move to a new country can be challenging, knowing that the Portuguese government recognizes the delays and has taken legal action to support residents who are applying for citizenship makes it much easier to consider starting the residency process in Portugal.
Hi,
In January/February 2020 my wife and I obtained full NHR status as Retirees with intention to retire in the Setuable region of Portugal.
Tax Codes were issued etc.
NHR status was organised via the Services of a young lady Notaire.
Intially a property was rented with intention to purchase end March 2020. –
Unfortunately we had a family member contract Covid requiring an immediate return by us to the UK to offer aid.
By the time all was ready for a return to Portugal – the Covid epidemic was in full swing with Ferry travel cancelled twice and at that time such a return appeared inadvisable even if possible.
We made several attempts to make contact with the Authorities to see how and if we could keep our status intact.
Attempts to make contact with several accountants based in Portugal – all proved unsuccessful.
With Administrations in Europe generally in confusion we found it impossible to make any progress.
The above is a precis of the situation – since that time we have remained within the UK System – I am English my wife dual nationality French/English.
My question – is there any potential/possibility in now going forward with the NNR that was granted?
Is there any contact point available where we could discuss this situation.
Hoping to hear any advice on this matter.
Best Rgds.
How do I find my family who lived and worked and died
Also if I want clarification on my date of birth immigrated to Canada
Hi Maria, you will need to start researching your genealogy to gather the right information to request. Perhaps this website can help: https://www.legacytree.com/blog/portuguese-genealogy-tips