What I learnt from a lawyer is one needs to spend 183+ days a year for (5) years before you can apply for cheap regular PR.
I would caution against this, in case the first citizenship application is denied. To attempt a second application, one would presumably still need to have some status (GV/PR).
I don’t know what the probability of denial is, but given the large sum spent on the initial GV, I think trying to save on 1 more renewal could be penny-wise pound-foolish.
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Oh, I absolutely agree - I wouldn’t take that kind of risk without very clear evidence that it was 100% OK.
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Fully agree that it is wise to be careful and the decision should be made based on evidence that there is no requirement for being a resident at the time of application. Rules can change.
This thread, however, of @Mr.E on the forum, with an application submitted, refers to the requirement of being physically present (see points 3 and 4) Path to citizenship after 5 years on GV - #19 by Mr.E.
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I have two questions regarding the required days to spend in Portugal to obtain citizenship.
- The required days were 7 days for the first year, and 14 days for the second and third years, and 14 days for the fourth and fifth years.
Is it still the same, or has something changed? - How do I prove that I stayed those days in Portugal?
Do I have to enter the Schengen area through Portugal and exit through Portugal to show them the stamps? Or they check on their system?
Should I keep the boarding pass with me and the hotel reservation?
Or what exactly?
Nothing has changed. Legally the requirement is 7 days Year 1, 7 days Year 2, and 14 days every 2 years thereafter. The answer on proofs is on a different thread: 14-Day Requirements: Proofs
This is slightly off topic, but posting here since Portugal is the biggest draw on this board. I’ve missed the GV real estate boat for Portugal, but more importantly I find the prices being asked of the real estate in the popular areas to be painfully (ridiculously) high - unless you bought a few years back in which case you are very happy. Is anyone considering Italy as an option and what are their thoughts? I posted this on the little trafficked-Italy board too. Thanks so much for thoughts!
Does this mean that you can apply for both permanent residence and citizenship? Basically using the PR as your status until the citizenship comes through?
That’s not what the regulations say. They say 7 days Year 1, and 14 days every 2 years thereafter. 
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Yes and yes.
I saw someone else post in another thread that Q4 renewals aren’t being permitted online. Can anyone else verify the accuracy of that statement.
I suspect they’re just angry. Is it at the point we’d expect q4 renewals to be open? I thought they were being opened basically day-of
As of this morning, for a card expiring soon:
Regardless of garrett’s “alternative facts” and calumny, historical dates for opening automatic online renewal are shown right in the first message of this thread https://community.nomadgate.com/t/how-to-gv-automatic-online-renewal-procedure-jan-2023/57952:
UPDATE 21 April 2023: Online renewal is now open for those with card expiry up to 30 June 2023.
UPDATE 20 July 2023: Online renewal is now open for those with card expiry up to 30 September 2023.
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So historically it seems they open up about the 20th of the first month of each quarter, so we’re currently 6 to 7 days beyond that pattern.
I agree. And all fees go up 30% starting next week.
Yes, I get the same for a card that expired a week or so ago.
I bet the Q4 renewals would open on Oct 29th 
If not, then we may have to wait for the new regulations based on Mais Habitacao… 
Definitely waiting on the new fees.
Could also be the new agency which also starts on the 29th, I think. They probably have to change the logo on the form and possibly the URL.
Yes, you could apply for both naturalization and permanent residency because those are different issues. Anyway, during period waiting for citizenship we need to be legal residents .
But there are evidences that ARI holders could not apply for normal PR, only for ARI PR which is ridiculously expensive, more than twice more expensive that 2 yr ARI permit (looks like they treat it as price per year) and also very long to receive approval.
Before “mais habitação” usual recommendation from lawyers was to continue renew 2 yr ARI.
Now I don’t know. Depends on what happens to 4Q renewals