Portugal criticized for misleading Golden Visa advice as immigrants push for faster citizenship

Portugal's Minister of the Presidency, António Leitão Amaro, told the parliamentary commission that lawyers and financial consultants have given false advice to clients, promising that a Golden Visa automatically leads to a passport and citizenship. He said the promise was never official policy and warned that those advisors were trying to blame the state for the confusion.

At the same time, a group of high‑earning immigrants – including investors, digital nomads and qualified professionals – sent a letter signed by more than 2,000 people to President António José Seguro. They asked the government to create a transition rule for the new nationality law, arguing that the ten‑year residency requirement is unfair given their substantial financial contributions, property purchases, business creation and integration into Portuguese society. The letter also highlighted long delays in public services such as SEF appointments and residence‑card processing.