Portugal is making it harder to get citizenship

Portugal Decided to Make the Path to a Passport Harder#

Every week some country goes and ruins its own citizenship program for itself. Portugal's turn.

The government decided to raise the required residency period before you can apply for a passport from 5 to 10 years. There's a discount for citizens of Portuguese-speaking countries: 'only' 7 years. Technically it's still just a bill, but with backing from the far-right Chega party, it's 100% going to pass. Sadly.

The Global Trend: Longer and Harder Everywhere#

It's basically the trend of the year: extend the timelines, complicate the rules, and honestly — why do you even need citizenship?

The US cracked down on undocumented immigrants, Argentina stopped handing out citizenship as a gift to newborns' parents, and now Portugal. Who's next?

Why Waiting Is a Bad Strategy#

I've always thought that sitting on a residence permit waiting for better times is a really bad plan. The world changes fast. Today you're thinking 'five years, that's fine, I've got time.' Tomorrow your country changes the rules. And that's it. Or rather, that's you — out.

Which EU Countries Still Give You a Shot?#

Luckily, even within the EU there are still countries with faster paths. Need advice on where to go to get a passport quicker?
Hit me up.