Portugal Golden Visa Investors Challenge Citizenship Law

Golden Visa investors in Portugal filed a constitutional challenge against the government’s decision to extend the citizenship eligibility period from five to ten years.

The filing, submitted to the Constitutional Court on December 3, argues that the amendment violates legal certainty and trust, as investors joined the program under a clear five-year path to citizenship promoted by Portuguese authorities.

Investors Cite Broken Commitments and Processing Delays

According to the brief, many investors relocated families and invested in the Portuguese economy based on the previous framework.

It also references official statements confirming that Golden Visa applications were intentionally deprioritized, contradicting claims that delays were administrative.

Over 20,000 applicants remain in backlog with Portugal’s Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum, with some waiting since 2021 despite a 90-day legal deadline.

Constitutional Concerns

The challenge highlights two main issues:

• No transitional protection for those already in the system, undermining trust and stability.
• Unequal treatment between applicants whose timelines depend on processing speed rather than legal criteria.

Investors also argue that extending the residency requirement lacks any factual or proportional justification and undermines confidence in Portugal’s investment environment.

Court Review

The Constitutional Court is reviewing the case, with a decision expected on December 15, 2025.

The new citizenship rules remain suspended until the court delivers its ruling.