Here are some other pieces of evidence that I have already posted at the WhatsApp group, where the government clearly linked GV with citizenship:
In addition to the AICEP mentioned above:
#2: Various websites of Embassy of Portugal in different countries advertise investment as a path to citizenship, e.g.
https://toronto.consuladoportugal.mne.gov.pt/en/consular-matters/visa/gold-residence-visa
https://banguecoque.embaixadaportugal.mne.gov.pt/pt/a-embaixada/noticias/ari-regime-especial-de-vistos-para-investidores-estrangeiros-em-portugal
There are more, I didn’t go deeper.
Sessions in the Parliament
The lawmakers themselves had multiple documented hearings in the parliament, where they openly stated GV is a path to citizenship, or claimed that they are actually selling citizenship. This is a strong point, which makes it obvious that the program’s implicit and understood function was to serve as a necessary prelude to citizenship. This was not merely an investor’s interpretation or a marketing slogan; it was the formal understanding of the lawmakers themselves.
#3: Parliamentary document reviewing a proposed law concerning the state budget for 2020:
In GV context: “Naturally, it is not of little importance that this temporary residence permit, as it is designed, generally ends up serving as a prelude to permanent residence and subsequently to Portuguese nationality (upon fulfillment of the requirements of the Nationality Law, approved by Law No. 37/81 of October 3).”
Link
#4: Parliament debates in 2019:
“Mr. José Manuel Pureza (BE): — Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen Deputies: A country that takes itself seriously does not sell citizenship rights. That is what we are debating here today: is it or is it not acceptable for Portugal to sell citizenship rights in exchange for €500,000 tied up in real estate? We can pretend that this is not what’s at stake, but in fact, that is exactly what’s at stake.”
Link
#5: Projecto de Lei N.º 109/XV/1.ª by PS claims that Golden Visa is a path to citizenship
“The residence authorization granted is temporary, but may become permanent after five consecutive years of renewal in the country. At the end of this period, the holder is entitled to permanent residence and may apply for Portuguese nationality by naturalization (under the terms of Law No. 37/81, of October 3, in its current wording, which approves the Nationality Law).
…
Those who live and work in Portugal, whether investors or not, should be able to legalize their situation and obtain residence authorization. The criterion for access to residence authorization, and through this route to the acquisition of nationality via naturalization, cannot be that of having money and for this reason being able to use this mechanism to enter and circulate freely in the Schengen area.”
Link
