Portugal Golden Visa reforms 2026 maintain investment inflows

In May 2026, President António José Seguro signed a comprehensive reform of Portugal's nationality law. The amendment extends the residence period required for naturalisation from five to ten years for most foreign nationals, while citizens of the European Union and members of the Community of Portuguese‑Speaking Countries retain a shortened path of seven years.

Despite the change to citizenship rules, the core features of the Golden Visa residency‑by‑investment programme remain unchanged. Permanent residence is still granted after five years of legal stay, investors are not obliged to retain their capital beyond that period, and the physical‑presence requirement stays at an average of seven days per year.

Financial data released by the Portuguese Association of Investment Funds, Pensions and Assets show that foreign capital continues to flow strongly into the country, with roughly three euros entering for every euro that exits, even as the volume of buy‑back operations has accelerated during 2026. The programme therefore remains a major conduit for international investment into Portugal.