# What's the potential impact of the 2025 Portuguese election on the Golden Visa program and pathway to citizenship? **URL:** \ **Category:** Portugal Golden Visa\ **Tags:** malta, portugal, golden-visa, legal-q-and-a\ **Created:** [June 3, 2025, 8:08pm UTC](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/whats-the-potential-impact-of-the-2025-portuguese-election-on-the-golden-visa-program-and-pathway-to-citizenship/71816 "2025-06-03T20:08:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![seagu77](https://community.nomadgate.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@seagu77](https://community.nomadgate.com/u/seagu77)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2025, 7:18am UTC](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/whats-the-potential-impact-of-the-2025-portuguese-election-on-the-golden-visa-program-and-pathway-to-citizenship/71816/83 "2025-06-14T07:18:29Z")
GV holders will not get special treatment if the period is increased to 10 years because they are not special in the naturalisation law. I would say that there is a priviledge (quite unique, yes) of GV holder to apply for citizenship EQUALLY to all other residents even if he does not live in Portugal. This priviledge is not cancelled. Moreover, one could easily claim that GV holder will be hit much less not more. It is just the money you need to hold another 5 years. If they require GV holder to spend more time in the country for citizenship which was not required before and undermine that priviledge, it looks much more retroactive. I think in that case we may easily go to court if the previous years would not be grandfatherred. And we should win. However, I am less confident in the positive outcome if future years which were not accumulated yet would be not coverred by this grandfather clause. You could not change how much time you spend in the pass, but could start to spend more time in the future if you want citizenship. It would be also more difficult if they require cumulative time for the whole 7 or 10 years, whatever. However, it will look retroactive for those who are close to the application. ---
**Author:** ![tommigun](https://community.nomadgate.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/t/898d66/32.png) [@tommigun](https://community.nomadgate.com/u/tommigun)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2025, 9:14am UTC](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/whats-the-potential-impact-of-the-2025-portuguese-election-on-the-golden-visa-program-and-pathway-to-citizenship/71816/84 "2025-06-14T09:14:32Z")
Does anyone know if there is a way to apply for exceptional citizenship in Portugal based on special contributions to the country like being a gifted sportsman or such-like, waiving any residence/contagem de tempo requirements? If there is such a way, would the application still go to AIMA? ---
**Author:** ![cj807](https://community.nomadgate.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/c/fbc32d/32.png) [@cj807](https://community.nomadgate.com/u/cj807)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2025, 9:32am UTC](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/whats-the-potential-impact-of-the-2025-portuguese-election-on-the-golden-visa-program-and-pathway-to-citizenship/71816/85 "2025-06-14T09:32:53Z")
Yes according to this > **[How to Become a Portuguese Citizen in 2025](https://www.lexidy.com/blog/how-to-become-a-portugugese-citizen/)** > > Discover how to become a Portuguese citizen in 2025. Learn the requirements, benefits, and application steps in this step-by-step guide. ---
**Author:** ![tommigun](https://community.nomadgate.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/t/898d66/32.png) [@tommigun](https://community.nomadgate.com/u/tommigun)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2025, 10:22am UTC](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/whats-the-potential-impact-of-the-2025-portuguese-election-on-the-golden-visa-program-and-pathway-to-citizenship/71816/86 "2025-06-14T10:22:50Z")
Interesting that I could not find any reference to this option in the Nationality Law, but I suppose it is supposed to remain undocumented on purpose 😁 ---
**Author:** ![PTbound](https://community.nomadgate.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/p/dbc845/32.png) [@PTbound](https://community.nomadgate.com/u/PTbound)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2025, 10:30am UTC](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/whats-the-potential-impact-of-the-2025-portuguese-election-on-the-golden-visa-program-and-pathway-to-citizenship/71816/87 "2025-06-14T10:30:49Z")
Chega’s been full-on with disinformation w.r.t. family reunification since Monday, no doubt pushing the AD to “do something.” > **Government does not foresee the entry of 500 thousand more immigrants, contrary to what Ventura says** > AndrĂ© Ventura and _Folha Nacional_ attribute to the Government the claim that 500,000 more immigrants will enter Portugal. The allegations are false and the Government has already denied them. > 
according to the publication’s calculations, the number of foreigners who will arrive with the reunification will exceed half a million > AndrĂ© Ventura, leader of Chega
 adding them to the total number of immigrants officially recognized by the Portuguese government. In a video published on TikTok by Ricardo FradĂŁo, he says: “The country cannot handle having 2.1 or 2.3 or 2.5 million immigrants”, which implies adding these 500 thousand to the current number : one million and 600 thousand. > **A petition calling for an end to family reunification was created and circulated by AndrĂ© Ventura , and already has around 50,000 signatures at the time of publication of this article [11-June '25]**. “We hereby request the Assembly of the Republic to repeal the legislation that regulates family reunification, suspending its application for a minimum period of eight years,” reads the introductory note to the petition. > **[Governo nĂŁo prevĂȘ entrada de mais 500 mil imigrantes, ao contrĂĄrio do que diz...](https://www.publico.pt/2025/06/11/sociedade/noticia/governo-nao-preve-entrada-500-mil-imigrantes-contrario-ventura-2136331)** > > AndrĂ© Ventura e a Folha Nacional atribuem ao Governo a citação de que vĂŁo entrar mais 500 mil imigrantes em Portugal. As alegaçÔes sĂŁo falsas e o Governo jĂĄ as veio desmentir. ---
**Author:** ![tommigun](https://community.nomadgate.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/t/898d66/32.png) [@tommigun](https://community.nomadgate.com/u/tommigun)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2025, 12:05pm UTC](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/whats-the-potential-impact-of-the-2025-portuguese-election-on-the-golden-visa-program-and-pathway-to-citizenship/71816/88 "2025-06-14T12:05:10Z")
Ok, I have sent a polite letter for now to a few people including the PM and the major party leaders regarding this recent government’s ‘proposal’. Let’s see what they come back with
 ---
**Author:** ![JollyK](https://community.nomadgate.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/5f8ce5/32.png) [@JollyK](https://community.nomadgate.com/u/JollyK)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2025, 12:33pm UTC](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/whats-the-potential-impact-of-the-2025-portuguese-election-on-the-golden-visa-program-and-pathway-to-citizenship/71816/90 "2025-06-14T12:33:31Z")
Will we able to see the full draft now since it should have been sent to the Assembly by now? ---
**Author:** ![PTbound](https://community.nomadgate.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/p/dbc845/32.png) [@PTbound](https://community.nomadgate.com/u/PTbound)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2025, 1:46pm UTC](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/whats-the-potential-impact-of-the-2025-portuguese-election-on-the-golden-visa-program-and-pathway-to-citizenship/71816/91 "2025-06-14T13:46:04Z")
“Four-year” Government Programme delivered a couple hours ago. Reporters are still digesting it, but here’s Jornal de Notícias’ early view on the immigration section. **At first take, today’s proposals seem more about “studying” and “considering” changes - no hard edicts just yet. I’m sure richer news stories will follow soon.** > - In the document, the Government advocates the “revision of the nationality law, extending the minimum period of residence and effective presence in national territory, eliminating the possibility of illegal stay being considered for the purposes of counting this time, and ensuring that those who acquire Portuguese nationality have an effective relationship and successful integration in the country”. _[This was already in the AD election programme, so not new. Maybe some hope that new limits on “counting this time” would only apply to illegal stays? - i.e. not killing off the counting of time spent “waiting for application?”]_ > - The deadline for obtaining citizenship is currently five years, counting from the moment the immigrant has a residence permit _[not sure if that’s JN’s interpretation, or in today’s Programme]_, below the EU average. The Democratic Alliance (AD) government has been discussing the possibility of extending this time, which could be doubled. _[unclear what today’s Programme actually says - wait for a better news article!]_ > - consider introducing criteria for progress in the Portuguese language when renewing certain types of residence permits _[NB. residence renewals - not nationality where language is required today!]_ > **[Executivo quer mudar lei da nacionalidade e condicionar reagrupamento familiar](https://www.jn.pt/6328133708/executivo-quer-mudar-lei-da-nacionalidade-e-condicionar-reagrupamento-familiar/)** > > O executivo quer alargar os prazos para a obtenção da cidadania portuguesa, condicionar o reagrupamento familiar e criar um programa para apoiar a saída do país, segundo o Programa de Governo entregue este sábado. ---
**Author:** ![JollyK](https://community.nomadgate.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/5f8ce5/32.png) [@JollyK](https://community.nomadgate.com/u/JollyK)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2025, 2:06pm UTC](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/whats-the-potential-impact-of-the-2025-portuguese-election-on-the-golden-visa-program-and-pathway-to-citizenship/71816/92 "2025-06-14T14:06:52Z")
Adding another news coverage: > It remains to be clarified how long the Government intends to set the period of residence in Portugal to be eligible for Portuguese nationality. DN knows that the intention is to increase it from five to ten years, but the programme does not confirm this. On the other hand, it is confirmed once again that the law approved and sanctioned to count the waiting time for a residence permit as the five years provided for in the current law will not be regulated . [https://www.dn.pt/sociedade/governo-prop%C3%B5e-restringir-visto-de-procura-de-trabalho-para-elevadas-qualifica%C3%A7%C3%B5es](https://www.dn.pt/sociedade/governo-prop%C3%B5e-restringir-visto-de-procura-de-trabalho-para-elevadas-qualifica%C3%A7%C3%B5es) ---
**Author:** ![PTbound](https://community.nomadgate.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/p/dbc845/32.png) [@PTbound](https://community.nomadgate.com/u/PTbound)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2025, 2:31pm UTC](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/whats-the-potential-impact-of-the-2025-portuguese-election-on-the-golden-visa-program-and-pathway-to-citizenship/71816/93 "2025-06-14T14:31:30Z")
> [@JollyK](#): > > it is confirmed once again that the law approved and sanctioned to count the waiting time for a residence permit as the five years provided for in the current law will not be regulated . Oh yay
 so its [totally random application on the front lines](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/wait-time-now-counts-toward-5-year-residency/62393/1027) will continue 🙄 ---
**Author:** ![servettasman](https://community.nomadgate.com/user_avatar/community.nomadgate.com/servettasman/32/6258_2.png) [@servettasman](https://community.nomadgate.com/u/servettasman)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2025, 4:25pm UTC](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/whats-the-potential-impact-of-the-2025-portuguese-election-on-the-golden-visa-program-and-pathway-to-citizenship/71816/94 "2025-06-14T16:25:28Z")
(I’ve deleted my earlier comment by mistake) in what universe extending the investment period from 5 years to 10 years (as a consequence) is not a retroactive change! ---
**Author:** ![tommigun](https://community.nomadgate.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/t/898d66/32.png) [@tommigun](https://community.nomadgate.com/u/tommigun)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2025, 4:28pm UTC](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/whats-the-potential-impact-of-the-2025-portuguese-election-on-the-golden-visa-program-and-pathway-to-citizenship/71816/95 "2025-06-14T16:28:22Z")
That’s a good point, and one of those that makes ARI residents being different from any other residents when it comes to legitimate expectations of the eligibility for naturalization. If a follow-up to my letter would be required I will make sure to include this in the rationale. ---
**Author:** ![anon44219890](https://community.nomadgate.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/a/f0a364/32.png) [@anon44219890](https://community.nomadgate.com/u/anon44219890)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2025, 5:01pm UTC](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/whats-the-potential-impact-of-the-2025-portuguese-election-on-the-golden-visa-program-and-pathway-to-citizenship/71816/96 "2025-06-14T17:01:52Z")
> [@tommigun](#): > > Ok, I have sent a polite letter for now I commend your timely action. Too many talk but don’t take affirmative steps to advance the cause. ---
**Author:** ![tommigun](https://community.nomadgate.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/t/898d66/32.png) [@tommigun](https://community.nomadgate.com/u/tommigun)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2025, 5:03pm UTC](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/whats-the-potential-impact-of-the-2025-portuguese-election-on-the-golden-visa-program-and-pathway-to-citizenship/71816/97 "2025-06-14T17:03:46Z")
Yeah, it went to 20+ selected individuals who I thought may have some influence on the matter. If you have any other suggestions please share! ---
**Author:** ![anonymous94](https://community.nomadgate.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/a/94ad74/32.png) [@anonymous94](https://community.nomadgate.com/u/anonymous94)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2025, 5:10pm UTC](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/whats-the-potential-impact-of-the-2025-portuguese-election-on-the-golden-visa-program-and-pathway-to-citizenship/71816/98 "2025-06-14T17:10:45Z")
I would be in support of starting a GoFundMe account to buy a billboard near Lisboa Portela Airport with the following message: PORTUGAL DOES NOT RESPECT INVESTORS. Nationality law changes insult Golden Visa investors. VOTE NO to retroactive residency changes. Keep in mind that these are just vague proposals in the state budget at this time. 11 of the 225 pages relate to immigration, so it is a serious topic for the government. With the MH changes in 2023, the Costa government came out with serious retroactive changes but did back down under pressure. In this case, I don’t think they will totally back down, but it may be possible to carve out some exceptions and to allow for a transitional period of 1 year. It would also make sense to ask them to exclude GV from the 10 year residence period (keeping it at 5 years) since we were specifically promised this (whether expressly or by implication). ---
**Author:** ![tommigun](https://community.nomadgate.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/t/898d66/32.png) [@tommigun](https://community.nomadgate.com/u/tommigun)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2025, 5:29pm UTC](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/whats-the-potential-impact-of-the-2025-portuguese-election-on-the-golden-visa-program-and-pathway-to-citizenship/71816/99 "2025-06-14T17:29:53Z")
> [@anonymous94](#): > > It would also make sense to ask them to exclude GV from the 10 year residence period (keeping it at 5 years) since we were specifically promised this (whether expressly or by implication). ThatÂșs what I went for in the first place, as it being the most obvious ‘low hanging fruit’. Just a quick look at the cuurent official AIMA website promoting citizenship law “na atual redaçao” = 5 years, and them calling us ‘ARI beneficiaries’. Not ‘participants’, ‘applicants’ or ‘resident permit holders’ but specifically ‘beneficiaries’, which means we paid for certain benefits as advertized as are therefore entitled to receive them in full and on time even in the eyes of AIMA. [https://aima.gov.pt/pt/viver/autorizacao-de-residencia-para-investimento-art-90-o-a](https://aima.gov.pt/pt/viver/autorizacao-de-residencia-para-investimento-art-90-o-a) ---
**Author:** ![anonymous94](https://community.nomadgate.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/a/94ad74/32.png) [@anonymous94](https://community.nomadgate.com/u/anonymous94)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2025, 6:19pm UTC](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/whats-the-potential-impact-of-the-2025-portuguese-election-on-the-golden-visa-program-and-pathway-to-citizenship/71816/100 "2025-06-14T18:19:08Z")
> [@tommigun](#): > > “na atual redaçao” = 5 years, I, of course, agree. I have read some GV people in this forum argue that this language works against us. I disagree with this catastrophizing. I read this language to mean we are beneficiaries of the ability to apply for citizenship under the law in its present/current form at the time of our GV application (5 years as you note). If the government had wanted it to mean something different they could have noted that as “in its current form as of the time of application for citizenship” or “in its current form as amended from time to time.” The current wording only works in our favour. A quick AI based search revealed the following (albeit not strictly based on Portuguese law): > The phrase “in its current form” is often employed in legal contexts to specify that a provision or document should be interpreted as it exists at the time of drafting, without considering subsequent amendments or changes. I am not positive that the government even wants to screw investors. Just 2 weeks ago they said the opposite. This language guaranteeing that GVs have the right to apply for citizenship based on the law at the time of their GV application may be enough to convince the government to grant an exception within any proposed legislation. It allows them to save face, and protects the legitimate expectations of investors. Alas I think there is zero chance that the government won’t pursue retroactivity generally. But keep in mind that GVs are not the target here. And as noted above, we are subject to special rules which _should_ exempt us from this. We need to find ways to communicate this to the appropriate persons. ---
**Author:** ![anonymous69](https://community.nomadgate.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/a/d26b3c/32.png) [@anonymous69](https://community.nomadgate.com/u/anonymous69)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2025, 8:09pm UTC](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/whats-the-potential-impact-of-the-2025-portuguese-election-on-the-golden-visa-program-and-pathway-to-citizenship/71816/101 "2025-06-14T20:09:42Z")
There’s a WhatsApp group called “Golden Visa Petition” and I can tell you that _many_ lawyers and agents are planning on there to have a zoom discussion about how to talk to the government about this. They know that retroactive changes (and even future changes) will have a major effect on the marketability of the GV. So they will certainly be lobbying in our favor, probably more than we can do individually. ---
**Author:** ![PTbound](https://community.nomadgate.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/p/dbc845/32.png) [@PTbound](https://community.nomadgate.com/u/PTbound)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2025, 7:28am UTC](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/whats-the-potential-impact-of-the-2025-portuguese-election-on-the-golden-visa-program-and-pathway-to-citizenship/71816/102 "2025-06-15T07:28:25Z")
> [@anonymous69](#): > > There’s a WhatsApp group called “Golden Visa Petition” and I can tell you that _many_ lawyers and agents are planning on there to have a zoom discussion about how to talk to the government about this. Agreed that leveraging people who _already_ have contacts/influence with the PT government is likely the most productive use of our efforts. So let the fund managers, GV advisors, lawyers, etc. _that you deal with_ know you’re very concerned about measures that will harm your investment in PT - and others’ future investment in PT! vs
 do I think that the [head of Investors Portugal (association of ~30 venture capital managers)](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/moving-the-goalposts-on-citizenship-again/70581/87) read the email I sent her out of the blue last month? Doubt it. ---
**Author:** ![tommigun](https://community.nomadgate.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/t/898d66/32.png) [@tommigun](https://community.nomadgate.com/u/tommigun)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2025, 8:39am UTC](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/whats-the-potential-impact-of-the-2025-portuguese-election-on-the-golden-visa-program-and-pathway-to-citizenship/71816/103 "2025-06-15T08:39:03Z")
> [@PTbound](#): > > people who _already_ have contacts/influence with the PT government How do you know it is a positive influence? 😁 Anyway, relying on some middle man to deal with the authorities on your behalf is fine, but it works only to a certain extent, and cannot be seen as a total replacement of the direct communication. Eg if I did not communicate with AIMA directly on multiple occasions (in addition to what my lawyers did), I would most likely still be waiting for my first card. There are plenty of other examples here where people directly engage with AIMA and get their appointments because they pestered AIMA daily. If they were only waiting for their lawyer to ‘do something’, well
 you know the answer. [Previous page](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/whats-the-potential-impact-of-the-2025-portuguese-election-on-the-golden-visa-program-and-pathway-to-citizenship/71816.md?page=4) [Next page](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/whats-the-potential-impact-of-the-2025-portuguese-election-on-the-golden-visa-program-and-pathway-to-citizenship/71816.md?page=6)