Revised Residency Period Calculation

Your five-year residency period for Portuguese nationality now starts at the time of application—accelerating your path to EU citizenship.

A recent and highly welcomed development in the Portugal Golden Visa program is the redefinition of how the five-year residency period is calculated for nationality and permanent residency eligibility. Previously, the clock started only after the final approval of the residency permit. Now, the countdown begins from the moment the initial application fee is paid.

This recalibration significantly benefits applicants by acknowledging the waiting period as part of the residency requirement. With application processing times often stretching over several months, this change ensures that no time is lost—and brings you closer to Portuguese citizenship faster.

What Has Changed?

The key improvement in the new regulation is:

  • Previous rule: The five-year residency requirement for naturalization began after the Golden Visa was approved and the first residence card was issued.
  • New rule: The five-year period now starts from the date the initial application fee is paid, not the issuance date of the permit.

This shift in timing means that many current applicants may already be closer to eligibility than they originally believed.

Implications for Applicants

This update streamlines the path to Portuguese nationality and aligns with the government’s broader efforts to modernize the immigration system. Benefits include:

  • Faster eligibility for citizenship and permanent residency
  • Greater transparency and fairness in the process
  • Incentive for early application submission, as time starts counting from day one
  • Reduced impact of administrative delays on long-term planning

PGA Ensures You Stay Ahead

At PGA, we continuously monitor regulatory changes and adapt our strategies to protect your timeline and goals. We assess your application date, calculate your adjusted eligibility, and advise you on the best steps forward—ensuring you make the most of every day counted toward citizenship.

With this change, the path to EU citizenship just got shorter. Let PGA make sure every day works in your favor.