Praia da Mesquita, Algarve—Portugal has voted to extend the citizenship timeline again.gettyThe Portuguese government voted (again) to extend the time required as a resident in the country before applying for citizenship. This is a legal change that politicians have been debating for months, and it could affect all non-nationals, including golden visa holders, because instead of needing to be resident for 5 years, Americans would have to wait 10. Someone from the EU and the CPLP (Community of Portuguese Language Countries, which includes Brazil, Angola, Cabo Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, Mozambique, São Tomé and Principe, and Timor-Leste) can apply if they have been a resident in Portugal for seven years or more. All other nationalities must have been living in Portugal for 10 years or more to apply for nationality. Crucially, too, the clock only starts ticking for those seven or ten years once you receive your residency permit, meaning that the timeline could be considerably longer. The issue is that this changes things for people already in the system, who would need to conform to the new rules—something critics believe is unfair and should apply only to new recipients of residency permits.More And More Americans Are Choosing Portugal, Through Its Golden Or Other Visa ProgramsMore and more Americans are seeking residency overseas, and throughout 2024 and 2025, Portugal was a firm favorite for people seeking EU nationality after Spain closed its program in April 2024 (prompting many to flock to Greece or Portugal’s programs). Once you have a passport issued in the EU, you can live, work and travel freely across all 27 European countries. Portugal is one of the most popular countries in the world for expats because of its climate, low cost of living, and the availability of very accessible ways for expats to make it their home, such as the digital nomad visa or the golden visa program. It is ranked seventh in the world on the Global Peace Index and offers better value for your dollar per square meter than many American cities—rent in Portugal is 24% lower than the average in the U.K., and it can be up to 50% cheaper than U.S. rental averages.Portugal was a firm favorite for golden visa applicants because you only need to spend two weeks in the country every year, and you could apply for citizenship after five years of residency—in exchange for a minimum investment of $525,000 investment in eligible funds. By mid-year 2025, the Portuguese government had seen a 72% increase in approvals, with Americans as the main recipients, according to the country's Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum. Why Has Portugal Changed Its Citizenship Requirements?There have been political concerns because, since 2019, the foreign population in Portugal has tripled to 1.6 million and now accounts for about 15% of the total population, according to Portugal's AIMA. In addition, wealthy foreign investors can price locals out of the housing market by inflating market prices. The government announced new taxes on houses purchased by non-residents in the country to counter this issue.In October 2025, Portugal's government voted to extend the residency requirements for citizenship to 10 years, up from 5 years.This decision is crucial for people already in the country or looking to come, golden visa holders or otherwise, who haven't yet initiated the citizenship process. They will now have to wait a further five years.The vote also resets the citizenship timeline for new applicants; the clock starts ticking only when authorities grant a residence permit, not when people submit their residency applications. In reality, this means it might add another two to three years to the process, because that's typically how long it takes to obtain residency in the country. For most foreigners, including golden visa investors and digital nomad visa holders, the new naturalization timeline is about 9 to 13 years.In November, the new law was put on hold while the changes underwent a constitutional review. Crucially, the Constitutional Court ruling in December upheld the 10-year citizenship timeline but modified several other aspects of the law, and in April 2026, the government voted again in favor of changing the timeline to 10 years. What Happens Next To The New Law On Portugal Citizenship?The next move is with the President of the Republic in Portugal. António José Seguro has eight days to refer the latest updates to the constitutional court, but if that doesn’t happen, then Seguro must sign the law into effect, or he could exercise a political veto, and it would get sent back to parliament (if it passed by MPs again though, he has to sign it and cannot send it back). It is highly plausible that a referral to the Constitutional Court could result, given the legal sensitivity of the issue. What is clear, however, is that Portugal is moving toward longer timelines before it is possible to apply for citizenship and receive an EU passport.Joana Mendonça, General Counsel at Global Citizen Solutions, a consultancy specializing in residency and citizenship by investment, said, “The majority vote in parliament confirms the government’s intended shift towards longer citizenship timelines, as observed in June and again in October with the Nationality Law causing much debate on and beyond the parliament floor. While certain provisions have been adjusted during the legislative process, the overall direction is clear.This process has shown us, more than once, that a vote in parliament is not the final word. The President now has his moment, and the Constitutional Court may have another. We respect that—it is democracy working as it should. What we at GCS cannot accept is the absence of transitional provisions for those who made real decisions about their lives in good faith. There are rights at stake that cannot simply be legislated away.”The changes are likely to come into force, if they are not challenged further, in May 2026. All pending citizenship applications will not be affected if submitted before the new law takes effect. For many people looking to gain citizenship in Portugal or comparing golden visa programs, a final decision—when it eventually comes—will be welcome relief.MORE FROM FORBESForbesItaly Strengthens Defenses Against OvertourismBy Alex LedsomForbesEuropeans Urged To Travel Less As Fear Of Energy Shortage IncreasesBy Alex LedsomForbesThe Best European Cities To Call Home, Per 2026 Consultancy ResearchBy Alex Ledsom