# 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:** 65
**Author:** ![henrybloor90](https://community.nomadgate.com/user_avatar/community.nomadgate.com/henrybloor90/32/6128_2.png) [@henrybloor90](https://community.nomadgate.com/u/henrybloor90)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2025, 1:07am UTC](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/whats-the-potential-impact-of-the-2025-portuguese-election-on-the-golden-visa-program-and-pathway-to-citizenship/71816/1314 "2025-10-26T01:07:20Z")
They are not people who think strategically or have sharp analytical minds. Whenever they make a decision, they fail to consider its consequences or possible long-term effects. They’re so shortsighted that both the right and the left actually approved the citizenship reforms originally pushed five years ago by the then-unknown Chega party. But these fools don’t realize that Chega will soon say: “Look how, in just a few years, we’ve managed to shake up the same political class that’s been useless since 1974. Elect us next year, and we’ll get things done.” And unfortunately, that message will resonate — they’ll likely consolidate votes from both sides. No one seems to think about what the consequences will be. Here’s what will happen: many investors will pull their money from funds, and those who were considering new investments will back away, saying “I don’t want to deal with these arrogant amateurs.” Liquidity problems will follow. They’ll no longer find any naïve foreign buyers willing to pay 600–800k euros for those moldy, neglected houses from the Salazar era. Then they’ll wake up and say, “What fools we were — let’s reverse this policy.” But by then it’ll be too late. And let’s be honest — there’s no more easy money in the EU. The rich North no longer wants to subsidize the poor South. Their own social systems are collapsing, and they can’t sell as easily to China or America anymore. Naturally, this will hit Portugal hard. My main frustration, however, isn’t just with the politicians. It’s with the fund managers, elites, and law firms who should be lobbying the government and warning them that this is a huge mistake — yet they’re silent. Frankly, the Portuguese people have become a major disappointment in my eyes. They no longer project the image of a reliable or capable workforce, nor of a nation that one can truly do business with. ---
**Author:** ![Estu](https://community.nomadgate.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/e/c4cdca/32.png) [@Estu](https://community.nomadgate.com/u/Estu)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2025, 1:58am UTC](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/whats-the-potential-impact-of-the-2025-portuguese-election-on-the-golden-visa-program-and-pathway-to-citizenship/71816/1315 "2025-10-26T01:58:39Z")
I think it depends on many things. You’d better ask a lawyer to be sure. When i heard this, I looked at the old text but could not find the specific similar case in the law. ---
**Author:** ![anonymous69](https://community.nomadgate.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/a/d26b3c/32.png) [@anonymous69](https://community.nomadgate.com/u/anonymous69)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2025, 2:31am UTC](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/whats-the-potential-impact-of-the-2025-portuguese-election-on-the-golden-visa-program-and-pathway-to-citizenship/71816/1316 "2025-10-26T02:31:32Z")
> [@henrybloor90](#): > > My main frustration, however, isn’t just with the politicians. It’s with the fund managers, elites, and law firms who should be lobbying the government and warning them that this is a huge mistake — yet they’re silent. There is a group called PAIIR (Portuguese Association Of Immigration, Investment And Relocation) that has been lobbying. I think the politicians just realize the anti-immigration populist winds are too strong. ---
**Author:** ![henrybloor90](https://community.nomadgate.com/user_avatar/community.nomadgate.com/henrybloor90/32/6128_2.png) [@henrybloor90](https://community.nomadgate.com/u/henrybloor90)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2025, 2:37am UTC](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/whats-the-potential-impact-of-the-2025-portuguese-election-on-the-golden-visa-program-and-pathway-to-citizenship/71816/1317 "2025-10-26T02:37:17Z")
We need folks from cascais/estoril( rich/beaurocatic elites) .unfortunately,Not group of retiree investors or regular immigrants ---
**Author:** ![anonymous69](https://community.nomadgate.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/a/d26b3c/32.png) [@anonymous69](https://community.nomadgate.com/u/anonymous69)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2025, 2:39am UTC](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/whats-the-potential-impact-of-the-2025-portuguese-election-on-the-golden-visa-program-and-pathway-to-citizenship/71816/1318 "2025-10-26T02:39:54Z")
PAIIR is Golden Visa lawyers, fund managers etc. That’s why the acronym includes “Investment”… ---
**Author:** ![jjmz](https://community.nomadgate.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/dec6dc/32.png) [@jjmz](https://community.nomadgate.com/u/jjmz)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2025, 4:21am UTC](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/whats-the-potential-impact-of-the-2025-portuguese-election-on-the-golden-visa-program-and-pathway-to-citizenship/71816/1319 "2025-10-26T04:21:38Z")
I was just getting ready to incorporate in Portugal myself - and create about a dozen new software jobs, but after this rug pull, running FAR FAR away from this country!! Unfortunately, I put my money into a VC fund, so no near term liquidity to pull my money out ☹ VERY disappointing to see a bait and switch of this magnitude being perpetrated. I have NO problem with them not wanting immigration - just don’t take millions promising a fast and short path to citizenship and then switch the game on the investors! ---
**Author:** ![anand](https://community.nomadgate.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/a/ecd19e/32.png) [@anand](https://community.nomadgate.com/u/anand)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2025, 5:08am UTC](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/whats-the-potential-impact-of-the-2025-portuguese-election-on-the-golden-visa-program-and-pathway-to-citizenship/71816/1320 "2025-10-26T05:08:16Z")
Hi We applied for our son when he was 16 . If our(the parents) citizenship came through before his application was rejected, our lawyer said he would be approved. ---
**Author:** ![anon60084797](https://community.nomadgate.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/a/b487fb/32.png) [@anon60084797](https://community.nomadgate.com/u/anon60084797)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2025, 7:54am UTC](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/whats-the-potential-impact-of-the-2025-portuguese-election-on-the-golden-visa-program-and-pathway-to-citizenship/71816/1321 "2025-10-26T07:54:14Z")
I completely agree with you. We’ve lived here for a year and are increasingly finding this place utterly deplorable and absurd. We’re planning to leave. Abandoned by its own talented young people, countless hardworking immigrants are contributing to this land, and countless foreign investors are unraveling these once-distressed assets. What have they gained? ---
**Author:** ![PTbound](https://community.nomadgate.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/p/dbc845/32.png) [@PTbound](https://community.nomadgate.com/u/PTbound)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2025, 12:34pm UTC](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/whats-the-potential-impact-of-the-2025-portuguese-election-on-the-golden-visa-program-and-pathway-to-citizenship/71816/1322 "2025-10-26T12:34:11Z")
Headline is a bit click-baity for Forbes… they only mention near the bottom that these changes still need a final vote and the President’s signing into law. Don’t know whether Mr. Savory has _always_ been this upfront re: what a sh\*\*show the GV has been for years 🙂 > Jeremy Savory, CEO and founder of Savory and Partners, a global wealth mobility company, says, “the impact of this decision has far-reaching implications. The sheer number of candidates who are in the process of applying for golden visas in Portugal means that the unwinding of some of this will take a long time. Those at the start of their journey will immediately look at other jurisdictions, while those further down the line will be weighing up whether that time and financial commitment is worthwhile. Unfortunately, wherever they sit in that timeline, for many, the decision taken by the Portuguese government will leave a bad taste and question future investment into the country.” > > For Savory and Partners, the potential loss of capital cannot be underestimated. It estimates that as much as €4.6 billion of committed capital could leave Portugal’s economy, and even with a conservative estimate, over €1-2 billion in high-value foreign direct investment could disappear. This figure is based on a **survey it conducted, where over 70% of its potential golden visa investors were reconsidering their applications,** each of whom would have brought a qualifying investment of over $525,000 (€500,000) into the country. > **[Portugal Golden Visa—New Law To Extend Citizenship Timeline To Ten Years](https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexledsom/2025/10/25/portugal-golden-visa-new-law-extends-citizenship-timeline-to-ten-years/)** > > Dreaming of a life in Europe? Portugal's government has voted to extend its citizenship requirements to ten years instead of five. Here's what to know. ---
**Author:** ![henrybloor90](https://community.nomadgate.com/user_avatar/community.nomadgate.com/henrybloor90/32/6128_2.png) [@henrybloor90](https://community.nomadgate.com/u/henrybloor90)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2025, 12:53pm UTC](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/whats-the-potential-impact-of-the-2025-portuguese-election-on-the-golden-visa-program-and-pathway-to-citizenship/71816/1323 "2025-10-26T12:53:50Z")
Many of you are underestimating what’s happening. This isn’t just a law change — it’s covert state-sanctioned expropriation of investor capital under the disguise of immigration reform. You’re sitting here talking about legal action timelines while the house is already on fire. The government is testing how silent and obedient we are. And some of you are proving them right. I’ve spent my life building businesses. I didn’t come here to beg for fairness — I came based on what was promised, in law and in writing. If thousands of us don’t threaten to withdraw funds, publicly and directly, this ends with you trapped in illiquid funds, waiting 10+ years for a passport you’ll be too old to use — while the government laughs, and the funds pretend nothing happened. You think you’re playing it safe by waiting. But silence is compliance. Portugal is not the U.S. — here, lawsuits take years, and no one respects quiet victims. They respect noise, risk, and escalation. This is a war for legal credibility. And if you don’t fight back right now, you’ll be the one left explaining to your children why your €500K was “an unfortunate political casualty.” Threaten. Shake the tree. Crash their inboxes. Force your lawyers, funds, and banks to act. One voice they can ignore — but not thousands. Stop waiting. Start pushing. ---
**Author:** ![DrNBC](https://community.nomadgate.com/user_avatar/community.nomadgate.com/drnbc/32/7618_2.png) [@DrNBC](https://community.nomadgate.com/u/DrNBC)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2025, 1:13pm UTC](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/whats-the-potential-impact-of-the-2025-portuguese-election-on-the-golden-visa-program-and-pathway-to-citizenship/71816/1324 "2025-10-26T13:13:27Z")
If the Nationality Law is indeed referred to the TC, based on what happened with the Foreigner’s Law, we could **hopefully** see their verdict within a few weeks. A quick search came up with this basic timeline for the Foreigner’s Law. Apologies if this has been done elsewhere on the forum. 👇 June 23 - Government approved legislative proposals to amend the law July 16 - Parliament passed the bill July 24 - Bill referred to TC August 8 - TC struck down several provisions & President issues immediate veto September 24 - Government presented amended bill to parliament September 30 - Parliament approves amendments October 16 - President signs into law October 17 - Legislation published in the Diário da República ---
**Author:** ![FilmMaker](https://community.nomadgate.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/f/c37758/32.png) [@FilmMaker](https://community.nomadgate.com/u/FilmMaker)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2025, 1:32pm UTC](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/whats-the-potential-impact-of-the-2025-portuguese-election-on-the-golden-visa-program-and-pathway-to-citizenship/71816/1325 "2025-10-26T13:32:56Z")
Thank you. That is a helpful comparison. That is ~2.5 months could be “stalled” if revisions are needed which would place a revised bill in effect around Jan 15h. Note that they had an August recess, but this would likely have a December/Christmas recess? I’m eligible to apply March 5th and my wife I think March 25th. Ugh. ---
**Author:** ![DrNBC](https://community.nomadgate.com/user_avatar/community.nomadgate.com/drnbc/32/7618_2.png) [@DrNBC](https://community.nomadgate.com/u/DrNBC)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2025, 1:50pm UTC](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/whats-the-potential-impact-of-the-2025-portuguese-election-on-the-golden-visa-program-and-pathway-to-citizenship/71816/1326 "2025-10-26T13:50:14Z")
It’ll be nail-biting time until March. Sadly for us we’re September. Doubt any delay will help us. 😩 ---
**Author:** ![LANomad](https://community.nomadgate.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/l/3da27b/32.png) [@LANomad](https://community.nomadgate.com/u/LANomad)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2025, 2:35pm UTC](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/whats-the-potential-impact-of-the-2025-portuguese-election-on-the-golden-visa-program-and-pathway-to-citizenship/71816/1327 "2025-10-26T14:35:26Z")
There’s a presidential election in mid Jan that may delay this further as well ---
**Author:** ![FilmMaker](https://community.nomadgate.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/f/c37758/32.png) [@FilmMaker](https://community.nomadgate.com/u/FilmMaker)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2025, 2:47pm UTC](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/whats-the-potential-impact-of-the-2025-portuguese-election-on-the-golden-visa-program-and-pathway-to-citizenship/71816/1328 "2025-10-26T14:47:56Z")
Forgot about that. The problem is the uncertainty over who may win the Presidency since President de Sousa has been strict in his powers and constitutional interpretation. I was unable to find the Assembly of the Republic’s calendar to try to determine their recesses. For the 2026 election, first round voting is Jan 18th, and second round (if necessary) is February 8th. President de Sousa took office on March 9, 2016/2021. I assume that means the next President also takes office March 9th? ---
**Author:** ![GottaGetOut](https://community.nomadgate.com/user_avatar/community.nomadgate.com/gottagetout/32/8340_2.png) [@GottaGetOut](https://community.nomadgate.com/u/GottaGetOut)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2025, 2:52pm UTC](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/whats-the-potential-impact-of-the-2025-portuguese-election-on-the-golden-visa-program-and-pathway-to-citizenship/71816/1329 "2025-10-26T14:52:37Z")
Someone posted an excellent summary of the legislation above from FieldFisher. They write: " The proposed changes are not retroactive and will only apply to new applications submitted after the new law enters into force (the day following its publication in Portugal’s official gazette). All pending applications will remain subject to the current criteria. New criteria only valid for new applicants." Do we have an understanding if pending applications refers to pending GV application or to pending citizenship application? ---
**Author:** ![FilmMaker](https://community.nomadgate.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/f/c37758/32.png) [@FilmMaker](https://community.nomadgate.com/u/FilmMaker)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2025, 2:54pm UTC](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/whats-the-potential-impact-of-the-2025-portuguese-election-on-the-golden-visa-program-and-pathway-to-citizenship/71816/1330 "2025-10-26T14:54:11Z")
Its pending Citizenship Application. ---
**Author:** ![GottaGetOut](https://community.nomadgate.com/user_avatar/community.nomadgate.com/gottagetout/32/8340_2.png) [@GottaGetOut](https://community.nomadgate.com/u/GottaGetOut)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2025, 3:05pm UTC](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/whats-the-potential-impact-of-the-2025-portuguese-election-on-the-golden-visa-program-and-pathway-to-citizenship/71816/1331 "2025-10-26T15:05:46Z")
Thanks. At that point, citizenship is no longer a consideration (give that it’s probably 15 years out). So for me the question is how expensive/cumbersome is it to transition to a permanent GV. Does that make sense? I have no problem pulling my investment and moving on. Fortunately, I got lucky and it’s up about 20%. ---
**Author:** ![PTbound](https://community.nomadgate.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/p/dbc845/32.png) [@PTbound](https://community.nomadgate.com/u/PTbound)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2025, 3:52pm UTC](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/whats-the-potential-impact-of-the-2025-portuguese-election-on-the-golden-visa-program-and-pathway-to-citizenship/71816/1332 "2025-10-26T15:52:49Z")
> [@GottaGetOut](#): > > So for me the question is how expensive/cumbersome is it to transition to a permanent GV. If by that you mean Permanent Residency, there’s a separate thread here: > [@Cost of Renewing GV and move to Permanent Residency](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/cost-of-renewing-gv-and-move-to-permanent-residency/52613/40): > > I spoke with our legal firm earlier and was told that one can apply for permanent residence 5 years after receiving the first residence card. I was really hoping that it was 5 years from application or something similar. I probably should have known this was the case, but I hadn’t been paying too much attention to anything other than ARI and citizenship concerns the past number of months. Again, it was a fool’s hope to think it would be anything other than what it is. ---
**Author:** ![rsade](https://community.nomadgate.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@rsade](https://community.nomadgate.com/u/rsade)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2025, 4:32pm UTC](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/whats-the-potential-impact-of-the-2025-portuguese-election-on-the-golden-visa-program-and-pathway-to-citizenship/71816/1333 "2025-10-26T16:32:45Z")
I wonder what would happen to those funds if a large number of investors withdrew their investments. Their rate of return would likely drop significantly. [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=64) [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=66)