5 to 10 Years: Portugal Citizenship Law Explained ft. Ana | Algarve Addicts | S3 • 19

Comments · 18

• AL

  @AlgarveAddicts · 4 months ago (edited) · pinned

  ⚠️ BREAKING NEWS UPDATE: As of this video&apos;s publication, a major development has emerged. The new nationality law in Portugal will only apply to new applications submitted after the law takes effect. <br>Read more: <a href="https://www.theportugalnews.com/news/2026-05-11/new-nationality-law-in-portugal-only-applies-to-new-applications/1019998">https://www.theportugalnews.com/news/2026-05-11/new-nationality-law-in-portugal-only-applies-to-new-applications/1019998</a>

  1

• RO

  @royking7298 · 4 months ago

  Fanning the flames of fear (like Chega does), is destructive to social cohesiveness. &nbsp;I fully intended to live here for the rest of my life, and want to become a citizen as soon as possible so that I can take part in the political process by voting, among other things. The country has an absolute right to change their laws. I’m glad they are changing, BUT I feel defrauded. Making changes without compassionate consideration for those to whom put faith in the Portuguese state and its people. Yet, I already have 4 years invested in the country I’ve learned the language as well. I’m happy here. Just for the record. The change from 5 to ten years, will yield NO BENEFITS to the native Portuguese people. Luckily I married a Portuguese person, and my ability to apply for citizenship will be delayed only by one year. But most people are not so lucky. But, make no mistake. The country and its people are demonstrating a significant lack of integrity. T’is such a pity.

  7

• SF

  @sfos2911 · 4 months ago

  I was close to entering the Portugal GV scheme back in 2020 but I decided against it because the language “after 5 years you can apply for the passport” was not acceptable. I wanted to see “you will be granted the passport unless you don’t meet A,B, and C.” In other words, more concrete language that offers a legal framework upon which to rely. Now, obviously, it’s clear even that would have not been sufficient because the government can change the rules at any point. The hard truth is that a sovereign nation can and will alter their visa rules whenever they wish. Being a resident as opposed to a citizen means you will always be a guest, an outsider, and subject to political changes in government.

  7

• SC

  @scottmacconnell470 · 4 months ago

  I think there’s too much focus on the golden Visa side. Those investors have very little commitment culturally. What about the rest of those that have immigrated to Portugal? They have committed huge amounts that they will never be able to recoup. Maybe they haven’t already applied for citizenship, but they are already here and put resources into the country for a year or more. Perhaps half $1 million for a piece of property and have paid taxes as well as giving up their former lives. Now Portugal has reneged on the deal that was made. Those properties that they have are very likely to become difficult to liquidate because Portugal may appear to unreliable. I think that a little more focus should be placed on those that have made a commitment to Portugal and live here full-time. Those people truly have committed to the country and add the economic stimulus that Portugal needs. <br>As to the culture test for citizenship, that is reasonable but, I do think increasing the time lacks logic however. What you are saying is that I have 10 years to learn the culture and language versus five years. I’m not sure that is the correct focus. Integration is integration, the time doesn’t matter. Let’s look at retirees. They might spend 10, 20, or 30 years in Portugal. They have to decide whether a 10 year plan,at that stage of life, is reasonable. They want the freedom that any other person in Portugal might have to travel throughout Europe. If that is not an option for them, does that not decrease their reason for commitment to the country. I personally, am here to stay. It would be nice if I didn’t have to keep a log of the number of days I spent in France or Germany or Italy on vacations but if that is what I must do, I will do it.

  2

• BL

  @blazeplayz123 · 4 months ago

  Portugal Golden visa is a scam. Invested in Dec 2022 - haven’t even finished biometrics for family and haven’t received the card. So 5 years and counting, then 10 years of residency and then another 5 years for passport wait. 20 years - not worth it anymore

  1

• MC

  @McGuildford · 2 months ago

  Dear creators, <br>First of all, thank you for your videos. I genuinely appreciate anyone who chooses to make Portugal their home, contributes to our society and speaks positively about our country. <br>However, I would like to raise an issue that many Portuguese people—and many of us across the Iberian Peninsula—find increasingly difficult to ignore. <br>Please stop referring to yourselves as &quot;expats&quot; while referring to everyone else as &quot;immigrants.&quot; You are immigrants too. <br>This is not an insult. It is simply the honest and accurate description of someone who has left one country to live permanently or long-term in another. <br>What many of us find upsetting is that the word expat is so often reserved for white, English-speaking people from wealthy countries, while Portuguese, Spanish, Angolan, Brazilian, Colombian, Venezuelan, Indian, Moroccan and countless others are simply described as immigrants. <br>That distinction suggests that some immigrants deserve a more prestigious label than others. Whether intentional or not, many of us perceive that as a double standard based on nationality, wealth or, too often, race. <br>Now imagine the opposite situation. <br>If a Portuguese, a Spaniard, a Brazilian or a Nigerian moves to the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada or Australia, nobody calls them an &quot;expat.&quot; They are simply immigrants. <br>Why should the terminology suddenly change when a British, American, Canadian or Australian chooses to settle in Portugal? <br>The country has changed. <br>The language has changed. <br>Your residence has changed. <br>Your place of work has changed. <br>The reality has not changed. <br>You have immigrated. <br>There is absolutely nothing shameful about being an immigrant. It does not make anyone less educated, less successful or less worthy of respect. Immigration is simply part of the human experience. <br>What hurts is the apparent need to create a separate label for certain immigrants while everyone else continues to be called by the ordinary word. <br>Portugal has welcomed you with generosity, respect and friendship. We ask for nothing more than the same equality in return. <br>No one becomes more deserving of a different label because of the passport they carry, the language they speak, the colour of their skin or the wealth of the country where they were born. <br>If we truly believe that all human beings are equal, then we should also be willing to call ourselves by the same name. <br>For that reason, I respectfully ask you to reflect on the language you use in your videos. If, after reflecting, you agree that this distinction is unfair, I hope you will choose to stop using the word &quot;expat&quot; to describe yourselves and perhaps even acknowledge publicly why you have changed your terminology. <br>That would not be a sign of weakness. <br>It would be a sign of intellectual honesty, humility and respect for every immigrant, without exception. <br>Thank you for taking the time to read this message.

• MA

  @MarkHerman-b6f · 4 months ago (edited)

  I appreciate that this podcast acknowledged that GV holders have an issue. Many others have been dismissive. The GV investment is significant because we are trusting our money to a Portuguese system (companies, etc.) that quite frankly is not viewed as being the most sound or transparent in the financial world. I was recently speaking with a woman who previously managed investments for a northern European country&apos;s pension fund and she stated flat out that 20 years ago they refused to even consider Portuguese investments. So yes, there is a risk that we will not get our money back, or not all of it. And in exchange for that we had an expectation of being able to apply for citizenship in five years. Not a guarantee of citizenship, but of the ability to apply, and that has now been altered with no grandfathering. Why does this matter? For me, there is a 50/50 chance that my grandchildren will be in Germany in five or so years. If they are, I want the option to be there near them on a day-to-day basis. Portugal offered that as an option. Now, not so much. Yes, I can live in Portugal, but I would not have the full right to EU citizenship. The comment to my situation is often, &quot;Well, then you are not really committed to Portugal.&quot; True, but I am also not really committed to taking up a Portuguese housing unit, or a Portuguese doctor&apos;s visit, or a Portuguese employment position. So to me this change of the deal is really terribly short-sighted, and not at all productive for Portugal. And while I appreciate the editorial update, it is not at all clear to me that it will help my situation, because I have not actually applied for citizenship yet, and will not be able to for another four years. So until all of that gets sorted out, I will remain in a state of concern.

• TE

  @teddydavis2339 · 4 months ago

  I keep hearing people use the word &quot; promise.&quot;&quot; &nbsp;Portugal promised us a passport after 5 years. Is that true? I doubt if Portugal promised not to change its laws or policies. Some folks are so desperate that they refuse to do their research. Portugal has never been known for organization. <br>I feel that Portugal is doing the right thing. The Portuguese realized that people have been living there for years, yet they don&apos;t speak the language. They criticize Asians, but many Europeans also refuse to learn the language. <br>Portugal will weed out the imposters. Many pretend to love Portugal but not enough to integrate and assimilate. <br>Portugal has to do what is best for the country.

  2