I really wish it didn’t! 
That was the very conversation I had with our attorney today.
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If you have a larger family, then regular PR is a good option at a lower fee, as it lasts 5 years. I think we need a physical presence of at least 6 months within 3 years. It will also make liquidating investments easier because, if I am not mistaken, there is still some confusion about when a GV PR holder can sell their investment.
Since we are living in Portugal the residency requirement isn’t an issue. We are looking at all options right now as we’re not very hopeful the Nationality Law will work out positively.
I mean, you are assuming that constitutional court will keep multiple classes of citizens. I’m still banking on this being rejected by the courts or el presidente. Expect an election this year. Could mean CHEGA get full control.
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I believe the OE2026 (budget) will pass with the abstention from PS. This was announced already. PS formaliza “abstenção exigente” no OE 26 em nome da estabilidade: "Este Orçamento não é do PS" - Expresso
I used to think that, since there is a similar system in Spain that allows two-year naturalization for certain countries, this might be possible. But in Portugal, there isn’t any differentiation. For example, for marriage, it is three years for everyone. There are no differentiations within a particular subclass.
Perhaps like many others, I’m still pretty new to this whole adventure, only a few months in. I was hoping to glide through the paperwork while the political drama was still busy arguing about the rules.
But if this political soap opera ends with Portugal sticking to a 10-year wait for citizenship, I’m cashing out, liquidating my investment, and waving goodbye to my dreams of becoming a fully legal pastel de nata enthusiast.
Life is short… and so is my patience
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I was looking to purchase an apartment in Portugal. I am no longer interested. I will also reduce my travel to the bare minimum 7 days while I consider next steps. I plan to liquidate my investment as quickly as possible. Also, I plan to do all future AIMA renewals myself, bypassing lawyers’ fees. I don’t want to spend any more money in this country.
Also the last few years I donated to charities in Portugal. I am done with that also. I have no issue with the Portuguese people or the charities, but I can’t support the Portuguese government any more.
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The PSD proposal will fail the vote on Tuesday and the bill will be postponed to January.
In any case, should the timeline extend to 10 years you should know that Portuguese politics are unstable and the nationality law can change every year, it was once changed more than once in the same year. A smart investor knows this and it would be wise to keep the GV for the time being, because you never know what lies ahead and with patience and perseverance you will be rewarded for your investment.
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If so, the entire law can not be voted until the next legislature (election), but it will probably pass
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You may be right, but a lot of people here have been quite patient already. For some people, 4 years just to get a residence card, and then to have this law appear to be likely to be approved in a few days is a gut punch…
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and over these 4-5 years most other European programs were abolished 
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PS parliamentary group vice president during the meeting with petitioners last Friday:
The reputational issue also matters.
We have also held many hearings and met many people who have noted that the Portuguese State itself, even if not explicitly, almost implicitly, gave the impression when publicising investment opportunities or residence permits for investors — it never said, “this automatically guarantees nationality,” but it did explain the conditions for acquiring nationality.
It would say: “Please note, the holder of a residence permit for investment may expect, after five years, to become eligible to acquire Portuguese nationality.”
Therefore, when it is the Portuguese State itself that presents these opportunities — in a fiscally competitive context where Portugal is competing with other countries — it positioned itself to say, “Don’t go to Greece, don’t go to Malta, come to Portugal.”
It cannot then frustrate those expectations to the point of saying, “Well, from one day to the next, let’s forget about that.”
(video link: https://canal.parlamento.pt/cid/8809/audicao-de-peticionarios)
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And Portugal has the right to abolish their GV program also for any future applicants. But don’t promote it and then change the rules halfway through the process.
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@sj-to-pt If the full “rug pull” does indeed go ahead, and as you (like us) are residing in Portugal, what will you do?
Since you asked me specifically, @DrNBC? I’m leaning towards leaving, and would be an example of collateral damage for PT, I guess.
Since moving here I’ve become very active with the Lisbon VC scene; I sit on the board of a number of Portuguese startups, am currently serving as a “temporary CTO” of a few, and have coordinated many key hires (involving relocation!) of Silicon Valley talent to Lisbon. The ARI brought me here originally, but man, it’s a tiny fraction of the impact that a few of us former SV execs have had in the local tech sector.
My compatriots and I have discussed at length and the current thinking is to pull the plug on this operation, and relocate ourselves and our efforts elsewhere. Berlin is looking to be a leading candidate, and actually we’re in the advanced stages of discussion with a few very promising firms out there, which we’re pretty excited about.
I won’t derail the thread any further but feel free to DM if you want to talk more.
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I’m literally trying to decide where to incorporate my startup right now. It was going to be Portugal, but that may change based on what happens here. I’ve heard other entrepreneurs complain for the past few years about lack of a stable business environment in Portugal… now I’m not sure I can defend it any more. @sj-to-pt I’m sure you would be missed.
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I just initiated an email to my fund asking for details of the winding down timelines as I plan to move the funds out without waiting for the GV.
Not sure I’m a 100% sure but it will be good for the Govt to hear voices from the business world they will be impacting if all these $ get pulled.
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My situation may be considered better than most ppl here. But the rug pull is going to be hard on me and my family(Indians).
2019 Got 1st Card Real Estate Route.
Last card expired Feb 2025.
Applied for renewal , don’t know when it will happen.
Applied for citizenship for myself, wife and daughter in April 2024.
My son turns 18 in March 2026, he can apply on his own only after that. Just to be safe,have applied for him as a child born to parents who became Portuguese after birth. If the parent’s citizenship is approved before he turns 18(unlikely), there’s still a chance
We don’t intend to live in Portugal as of now and got into the program to provide international mobility for our children when they grow up.
Don’t know if we as a family can accept one person being left out with a different status.
I am still hopeful there’s a way.
Any ideas are welcome.
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If your son has had 5 years of GV he should also apply for GV PR which is an independent status (can be maintained even after parents are no longer GV). He can renew GV PR indefinitely until he gets citizenship one way or another.
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