From Investment to Portuguese Passport: Complete Timeline

Here's what to expect over the full journey:

Year 0: Pre-Application (2-4 months)

• Obtain NIF and open Portuguese bank account
• Select and subscribe to qualifying fund
• Gather and prepare documentation

Year 0-1: Initial Application (12-18 months)

• Submit Golden Visa application
• Attend biometric appointment in Portugal
• Receive initial 2-year residency card

Year 2: First Renewal

• Submit renewal application
• Prove investment maintenance
• Receive renewed card (valid 2 more years)

Year 4: Second Renewal

• Submit second renewal application
• Receive card valid through year 5+

Year 5: Citizenship Eligibility

• Complete Portuguese language test (A2)
• Apply for naturalization
• Wait 12-24 months for citizenship decision

Year 6-7: Citizenship Granted

• Receive Portuguese citizenship
• Apply for Portuguese passport
• Full EU citizenship rights

Total Timeline: Approximately 6-7 years from initial investment to passport in hand.

Pre-Submission (Months 1-4)

Before you can apply, you must:

1. Obtain your Portuguese NIF (tax number)
2. Open a Portuguese bank account
3. Complete your fund investment
4. Gather all required documentation
5. Engage a Portuguese lawyer (recommended)

Application Submission

Your lawyer submits the application to AIMA (Agency for Integration, Migrations and Asylum—formerly SEF). The application includes:

• Completed application forms
• Investment proof documentation
• Personal and family documents
• Criminal record certificates
• Health insurance proof

Biometric Appointment

After initial review (typically 3-6 months), you'll be scheduled for a biometric appointment in Portugal. This involves:

• Fingerprinting
• Photo capture
• Document verification
• Brief interview

You must attend in person. Family members also need individual appointments.

Card Issuance

After the biometric appointment, AIMA processes your application. Current processing times are 6-12 months. When approved, you receive:

• Residency card valid for 2 years
• Card allows unlimited entry to Portugal
• Schengen travel rights (90/180 days in other countries)

During your 5-year residency period, you must:

1. Maintain Your Investment
Your fund investment must remain in place for the entire period. Early withdrawal means losing your residency status.

2. Meet Minimum Presence Requirements
You must spend an average of 7 days per year in Portugal. This is calculated as:

• 14 days in the first 2-year period, OR
• 7 consecutive days in year 1, and 7 in year 2

The requirement is among the most lenient in Europe.

3. Complete Renewals on Time

• First renewal: End of year 2
• Second renewal: End of year 4

Renewal applications must be submitted before your current card expires. The process typically takes 2-4 months.

4. Keep Documents Updated
Maintain valid:

• Passport
• Health insurance
• Criminal record (updated for renewals)
• Investment documentation

5. Track Your Presence
Keep records of your time in Portugal:

• Entry/exit stamps
• Flight records
• Hotel receipts
• Any evidence of presence

After 5 years of legal residency, you can apply for citizenship. Requirements:

1. Language Requirement: A2 Portuguese
You must demonstrate basic Portuguese proficiency at A2 level (elementary). Options:

• CAPLE (Centro de Avaliação de Português Língua Estrangeira) exam
• CIPLE certificate
• Some heritage Portuguese speakers may qualify for exemptions

A2 level means you can:

• Understand simple sentences about familiar topics
• Communicate in routine situations
• Describe your background and immediate environment

Most applicants achieve A2 with 3-6 months of dedicated study.

2. Clean Criminal Record
Updated criminal record checks from:

• Portugal
• Your country of nationality
• Any country of long-term residence

3. Ties to Portugal
Evidence of connection to Portugal:

• Property ownership (not required but helpful)
• Bank accounts
• Tax compliance
• Social connections

The minimal presence requirement (7 days/year) is usually sufficient for citizenship, though having deeper ties strengthens your application.

4. No Threats to National Security
Standard security screening through Portuguese intelligence services.

Preparing Your Application

Gather these documents:

• Birth certificate (apostilled, translated)
• Criminal record certificates
• Portuguese language certificate
• Proof of legal residence (5+ years)
• Tax compliance certificate from Portuguese authorities
• Proof of ties to Portugal
• Valid health insurance

Submission

Applications are submitted to the Central Registry Office (Conservatória dos Registos Centrais). Your Portuguese lawyer typically handles this process.

Processing Time

Current processing times vary significantly:

• Standard processing: 12-24 months
• Complex cases: May take longer

The 2025 nationality law reforms may affect processing times—see below.

Decision

When approved:

1. You receive notification of citizenship grant
2. Schedule appointment to receive Portuguese ID card
3. Apply for Portuguese passport
4. Your Portuguese citizenship is permanent—it cannot be revoked for moving abroad or not visiting

Dual Citizenship

Portugal allows dual citizenship. You can keep your original nationality (if your home country allows) while becoming Portuguese. Check your home country's laws—some countries require you to renounce upon acquiring new citizenship.

Understanding when your residency clock starts is crucial for timeline planning.

Current Favorable Interpretation

Under the current interpretation (2024/2025), the five-year residency period counts from application submission and payment of the processing fee—NOT from first residency card issuance.

Why This Matters

With AIMA processing times at 18-24 months, the permit-date interpretation would add ~2 years of "dead time":

Law 61/2025 Proposal

Law 61/2025 proposes counting from first residence permit issuance. Combined with the proposed 10-year requirement, this "Administrative Drag" would significantly extend timelines.

What This Means for 2025 Applicants

Under the current Application-Date Counting Rule:

• An applicant submitting in Q1 2025 can reasonably expect citizenship eligibility by 2030
• AIMA processing delays do not add to your citizenship timeline
• This provides protection against the backlog

Strategic Recommendation: Apply as early as feasible to potentially lock in the application-date counting method under current rules.

For detailed analysis of both laws, see our Regulatory Status page.

Law 61/2025 proposes significant changes to naturalization requirements. Here is the current status:

Proposed Changes

1. Extended Residency: 10 years for non-CPLP nationals (vs current 5 years)
2. CPLP Exception: CPLP nationals (Brazil, Angola, Mozambique, etc.) retain 7-year pathway
3. Counting Method: Proposes counting from permit issuance (vs application date)

Current Status: Under Constitutional Review

The law is being reviewed by the Constitutional Court. Key questions:

• Whether retroactive application violates constitutional protections
• How existing applicants will be treated
• Interpretation of "legal residency" start date

Likely Scenarios

What's Unchanged (Regardless of Law 61)

• Golden Visa holders remain eligible for naturalization
• A2 Portuguese language requirement confirmed
• Dual citizenship still permitted

Practical Implications

1. Apply Early: Lock in your application under current rules
2. Plan for Both Scenarios: Ensure fund term aligns with potential 10-year path
3. Monitor Updates: The landscape is evolving; work with advisors who track changes
4. Start Language Learning: A2 requirement applies regardless

For live updates on Law 61/2025 status, visit our Regulatory Status page.

EU Citizenship Rights

• Live and work in any EU country without visa or work permit
• Access to EU healthcare and education systems
• Right to vote in EU elections
• Consular protection from any EU country worldwide

Passport Power

• Visa-free access to 186+ countries
• 6-month visa-free stays in UK (post-Brexit)
• ESTA eligibility for US travel
• One of the top 5 most powerful passports globally

Family Benefits

• Your children born after naturalization are Portuguese citizens
• Spouse may have expedited path to citizenship (3 years of marriage)
• Future generations inherit citizenship

No Residency Requirement

• Unlike residency, citizenship is permanent
• You can live anywhere in the world
• No minimum presence requirement once you're a citizen
• Cannot be revoked for non-residence

Business & Investment

• Establish businesses anywhere in EU
• Access to EU banking without foreign national restrictions
• Investment opportunities throughout EU

Security & Stability

• Permanent fallback option for political/economic uncertainty
• EU legal protections and rights
• Access to EU social security coordination