Portugal's New Immigration Law: What Golden Visa Holders and Foreign Investors Must Know
Portugal is set to enact a sweeping overhaul of its immigration laws, with a final vote scheduled for July 16. These changes will significantly impact foreign investors, expats, and particularly those utilizing family reunification and work visas. For anyone with interests in Portugal, understanding this new, more restrictive landscape is critical for future planning.
What Foreign Investors Need to KnowThe most impactful change is to family reunification. A new rule will require proof of prior cohabitation, making it impossible for new couples to reunite in Portugal. Furthermore, a resident may need to live in the country for two years before applying for family members (Golden Visa holders are exempt). Processing times for these requests will triple to nine months. 'This is a fundamental shift in policy,' notes immigration lawyer Amanda Lima. 'It adds layers of complexity and time to the process of relocating a family.' Additionally, the popular job-seeker visa will be restricted to 'qualified' professions, and anyone who has ever stayed in Portugal illegally will be automatically barred from receiving a visa.
Actionable Steps for Today's Buyer- Review Your Timeline: If family reunification is part of your plan, factor in the new two-year residency requirement and nine-month processing time.
- Legal Consultation is Key: The rules are more complex. Seek immediate legal advice to understand how these changes apply to your specific visa category (e.g., D7, Digital Nomad, Golden Visa).
- Secure Legal Status: For those already in Portugal, ensure your residency status is secure and initiate any pending applications before the new law is formally enacted.
These new regulations represent a stricter, more controlled approach to immigration in Portugal. Explore opportunities with realestate-lisbon.com.
