I am angry for a variety of reasons. The stupidity of this decision and its impact is beyond words. Unfortunately, Portugal has solidified its place among second-world countries tonight.
14 Likes
I feel exactly the same. A simple transitional period for current residents (of all types) would allow parliament to make the same long-term change without screwing those of currently in the process.
Dan.
5 Likes
Looking closer at the disgusting politician quotes that I posted 3 above…
I wrote to the Committee on Constitutional Affairs, Rights, Freedoms, and Guarantees back in July.
Chega Representative Cristina Rodrigues was one of the few to reply to me then, and again two days ago (when I chased) with the following:
“We would also like to inform you that, to date, there have been no changes to the Golden Visa program. The Nationality Law is currently under review, and solutions are being considered to ensure that applicants whose applications are already in progress are not disadvantaged.”
Then tonight she spews this in Parliament!?!
“It’s a great day for Portuguese people who have Portuguese blood in their veins, not those who are in AIMA,” said Chega MP Cristina Rodrigues, who also attacked immigrant associations, which had been asked to give their opinion on the law.
9 Likes
That’s a terrific quote to show her rank hypocrisy during our pre-lawsuit media blitz if this terrible law is actually promulgated.
3 Likes
Meanwhile in the parliamentary discussion today one of the left wing politicians was complaining that the new bill “still gives Golden Visas a fast track to citizenship”…
We’re hated on the right for being immigrants and hated on the left for having money. The left even imagines privileges for us that don’t exist!
11 Likes
if we HAD those pretend privileges, then why would we NEED Portugal?
5 Likes
this should be reframed:
…and off shore investment in their funds and wallets"
3 Likes
Ugh. This reminds me (again) why I can’t stand populists. 
On a personal note, since I have been donating non-Portuguese blood from the very moment we moved here, I figure I will keep it in my non-Portuguese veins.
My compassion has its limits.
Apologies if this is somewhat off topic, but after yet another sleepless night, my anger and pettiness has won out.
7 Likes
My Portuguese friends, who are in their 70’s now said this to me. “Every one of us is either racist, jealous or lazy. Some of us are all 3”. If this is true, then it explains everything that has gone down recently.
6 Likes
Straight from the top. 
“This law defines who we are, what we value and the country we will leave to those who will follow us. Nationality is a recognition of a deep bond and should not be trivialized. To dignify it is to dignify every Portuguese and every person who, meeting fair and demanding criteria, one day, will become one of ours.”
The prime minister also stressed that “being Portuguese is not a mere formality or convenience”, but “an honor and a responsibility.” To work in Portugal you don’t have to be Portuguese, but to be Portuguese you need much more than working in Portugal," he assumed.
“We do not want occasional Portuguese and, therefore, I repeat, we have reinforced the requirements of knowledge of the language, culture, history and national symbols, as well as the rights and duties inherent to Portuguese nationality,”
2 Likes
Can’t join
What I sent. DeepL was used to translate.
Exmo. Senhor Presidente Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa,
Escrevemos para expressar a nossa profunda decepção com a recente Lei da Nacionalidade aprovada pela Assembleia da República. Assumimos um compromisso de longo prazo com Portugal através do programa ARI e agora temos a honra de residir aqui. No entanto, estamos profundamente perturbados com o facto de as alterações introduzidas na lei serem contrárias às garantias e expectativas que nos foram apresentadas quando investimos em Portugal em 2021.
Fizemos um investimento de boa-fé no povo português e no seu governo. Continuámos com o programa, apesar de a promessa de residência de 9 meses se ter prolongado para 2-3/4 anos. Optámos por apoiar a economia de Portugal e integrar-nos na sua sociedade no âmbito do programa ARI, promovido pelo governo português, apesar dos atrasos. No entanto, a nova lei compromete essa confiança e boa-fé. Alterá-la após o facto parece ser contrário aos princípios da segurança jurídica.
Esperamos que considere enviar esta legislação para revisão constitucional, a fim de garantir que os princípios de equidade, segurança jurídica e expectativas legítimas de Portugal sejam respeitados.
Com os melhores cumprimentos,
3 Likes
Can someone please explain what’s happening with the ARI path? Did they change the citizenship requirement from 5 years to 8 or even 10 years?
I invested in October 2021 and received my first residence card in August 2023. I’m now waiting for my second residence card. I was planning to apply for citizenship in October 2026 — will that still be possible under the new law, or have the rules changed?
Sorry, I’m really confused about the current situation, so any clarification would be greatly appreciated.
10 years.
Clock starts from first card and NOT application.
Under new amended law (which has yet to become official) you could apply for citizenship in August 2033.
1 Like
It has 4 days since I wrote to my fund managers and stunned silence so far. Much like the govt machinery we have dealt with…
1 Like
Another point to consider, for the recent arrivals: if the government gets away with changing the naturalization rules for current residents once, without any transitional regime, they can do it again, and again, and maybe just eliminate that pathway altogether the next time you’re six months from eligibility.
Let’s all hope that the president and TC do the right thing, as detailed at length by Professor Jorge Miranda: protect legitimate expectations.
7 Likes
Most if not all politicians are, irrespective of their ideology. Unsurprising to say the least.
What about the requirements around the number of days? Is it still 7 days for ARI?
that has not changed, its seperate.
I have been resigned to this outcome for a little while. But the one thing I’m really not sure about is what is going to happen with the private funds. How are they likely to deal with the situation where you’re have some people who want out, and some people who want to wait the full 10 years? I wonder if they will create some form of alternative vehicle to move people into. Does anyone have any thoughts or speculations?
2 Likes