Portugal’s citizenship pathway just hit a major roadblock—and if you’re an American with a Golden Visa in Portugal (or thinking about getting one), you need to understand what’s happening right now.

On December 15, 2025, Portugal’s Constitutional Court threw a wrench into the government’s plans to dramatically extend citizenship timelines. The proposed changes would have doubled the wait from 5 to 10 years for Americans. But here’s the thing: none of that has actually happened yet.

Let’s break down exactly what’s going on and what it means for your citizenship timeline.

The Constitutional Court just hit the brakes

Parliament approved sweeping citizenship reforms on October 28, 2025. The changes looked pretty drastic on paper: Americans and other non-EU nationals would need 10 years of residency before applying for citizenship, up from the current 5 years. EU and Portuguese-speaking country nationals would get a slightly better deal at 7 years.

But not everyone was having it. Members of Parliament requested a constitutional review, and on December 15, the Constitutional Court declared four key provisions unconstitutional. The entire law got sent back to Parliament for revision.

What does this mean practically? Until Parliament fixes the constitutional issues and re-approves the law, the current 5-year requirement stays in place. Nothing has changed—yet.

Why Americans may face the longest wait 

Under the proposed law, citizenship requirements would split applicants into three tiers. Americans fall into the toughest category: “nationals of other countries” (meaning non-EU, non-Portuguese-speaking nations).

Here’s the breakdown:

1. 10 years for Americans, Canadians, Australians, UK citizens (post-Brexit), and most other non-EU nationals
2. 7 years for EU citizens and nationals from Portuguese-speaking countries (CPLP members like Brazil, Angola, Mozambique)
3. 5 years under current rules (still in effect now)

The reasoning? Portugal wants to encourage closer integration and favor applicants with cultural or linguistic ties. Fair enough, but it puts Americans at a significant disadvantage compared to their European counterparts.

The timeline nobody knows yet 

The Constitutional Court didn’t just put a pause on the law taking effect—it highlighted some serious unanswered questions that Parliament needs to address:

How will residence time be counted? The proposed law said counting would start from when you receive your first residence card, not when you submit your application. That’s different from the 2024 rules that clarified the clock begins at application submission. Which method will ultimately win out?

Will existing golden visa holders get grandfathered in? This is the million-dollar question. If you got your golden visa in 2022 and hit 5 years of residency in 2027, can you apply for citizenship? Or will you need to wait until 2032? The original law had no transitional provisions, which is exactly what the Constitutional Court flagged as problematic.

When does the revised law take effect? Parliament could include a grace period for current residence holders, or they could make it effective immediately upon approval. Nobody knows yet.

If you’ve already applied for citizenship

If you submitted your citizenship application before Parliament revises and re-approves the law, you may be protected. Your application should still be processed under the existing 5-year rule in force when you applied, and the Court has clearly defended that principle—but future legislation still has to be watched.

This protection should extend to anyone who completes their application before the new law officially takes effect. So if you’re approaching 5 years of residency, getting your application in sooner rather than later might be smart.

For Golden Visa holders still in the waiting period 

This is where things get murky. Say you obtained your golden visa in 2023. Under current rules, you’d be eligible for citizenship in 2028. But what happens if Parliament approves the revised 10-year requirement before then?

The absence of clear transitional provisions in the original proposal creates serious uncertainty. You might be fine. You might need to wait another 5 years. There’s simply no way to know until Parliament acts.

For Americans in this position, staying informed about the latest news about Portuguese citizenship law is crucial. Immigration specialists like Global Residence Index monitor these developments closely and can provide guidance specific to your situation. They work directly with government bodies and have helped over 500 clients navigate Portuguese residency programs successfully.

More potential new requirements 

The extended residency timeline isn’t the only change on the table. When Parliament revises the law, Americans pursuing citizenship may face several new requirements. Note that these are proposed or anticipated areas of tightening, and not finalized requirements.

Civic knowledge test: You’ll need to demonstrate understanding of Portuguese culture, rights, duties, and history. Specifics on test content and passing standards haven’t been released yet.

Stricter criminal record checks: The threshold drops from 3 years to 2 years for disqualifying convictions.

Proof of financial subsistence: You’ll need to show financial stability beyond your initial golden visa investment.

UN/EU sanctions verification: Confirmation that you’re not subject to any restrictive measures.

Democratic principles declaration: A formal statement of adherence to democratic values.

These additions signal Portugal’s shift toward more rigorous integration assessment. The Portuguese language requirement (A2 level) remains unchanged, which at least provides some continuity.

The Golden Visa program itself remains open

Amid all this citizenship uncertainty, Portugal’s golden visa program continues to operate. Yes, the popular real estate investment pathway ended in 2023, but several alternatives remain available:

1. Capital transfers to Portuguese entities
2. Fund investments
3. Business creation with job creation requirements
4. Cultural heritage project investments
5. Scientific research initiatives

Americans researching golden visas in early 2026 should verify current requirements with AIMA (Portugal’s immigration authority) before committing. The landscape continues to evolve, and what’s true today might change tomorrow.

Alternative residency pathways for Americans

If the extended citizenship timeline makes Portugal’s golden visa less attractive, Americans may have other options for Portuguese residency:

D7 Passive Income Visa: Perfect for retirees or those with passive income streams. Typically requires proof of around €1,000+ monthly income. This pathway offers a faster route to residency status, though citizenship timelines would likely follow the same rules as golden visa holders.

D2 Entrepreneur Visa: For business owners willing to establish a Portuguese company and create local jobs. This involves more active participation in the Portuguese economy but can be rewarding for those genuinely interested in operating a business in Portugal.

D8 Digital Nomad Visa: Introduced for remote workers earning income from outside Portugal. This newer category reflects Portugal’s appeal to location-independent professionals.

Each pathway has different requirements and potentially different citizenship eligibility timelines. Vancis Capital, the parent company of Global Residence Index, provides comprehensive advisory services across all Portuguese residency programs and can help determine which option best fits your specific circumstances.

What you should do right now

Your next steps depend entirely on where you are in the process:

Researching golden visas: Assume current requirements (5 years to citizenship) remain in place, but plan for potential changes. Don’t make irreversible decisions based on assumptions about future law. Get professional guidance before submitting applications.

Approaching 5 years of residency: Consult with Portuguese immigration attorneys immediately. Document your residency dates and application submission dates meticulously. You may want to expedite your citizenship application to lock in current requirements.

Under 5 years of residency: Monitor Parliament’s revision process closely. Consider establishing a relationship with a Portuguese immigration law firm now, so you’re not scrambling later when the revised law passes. They can help you understand how new provisions might affect your specific timeline.

Pending applications: Your applications should proceed under existing rules. Confirm your status with Portuguese immigration counsel to ensure no surprises.

Don’t forget the tax implications 

While citizenship timeline changes dominate headlines, Americans pursuing Portuguese citizenship need to remember their ongoing U.S. tax obligations.

Portugal allows dual citizenship, so you won’t need to renounce your American citizenship. But you’ll continue facing FATCA reporting requirements and standard U.S. tax filing obligations regardless of where you live.

Obtaining Portuguese citizenship doesn’t automatically establish Portuguese tax residency—that depends on physical presence and other factors. Consult with cross-border tax specialists before committing to any citizenship pathway. The last thing you want is tax surprises down the road.

The bottom line

Portugal’s citizenship law changes remain in legal limbo as of January 2026. The proposed extension from 5 to 10 years for Americans would significantly impact the golden visa program’s value proposition, effectively doubling the commitment required before obtaining Portuguese citizenship.

But here’s what matters right now: the current 5-year requirement still applies. Parliament needs to revise the law to address constitutional concerns before any changes take effect.

For Americans at any stage of the golden visa process, uncertainty is the operative word. Outcomes will depend heavily on Parliament’s revision process and whether grandfathering protections ultimately get included. Stay informed, document everything, and get professional guidance from advisors who monitor these developments daily.

The Portuguese golden visa remains one of Europe’s most popular residency-by-investment programs, but Americans considering this pathway need realistic expectations about citizenship timelines. What seemed like a 5-6 year journey to Portuguese citizenship could potentially become a 10-11 year commitment if Parliament’s revised law moves forward as originally proposed.

Smart planning means preparing for multiple scenarios while hoping for the best outcome. The legal landscape continues to evolve, and the only certainty is that more clarity will come—eventually.