Portugal Citizenship by Investment in 2026: The Real Path to a Portuguese Passport for UAE Families

Many families in the UAE share the same quiet worry. Life here is good, but residency depends on a job, a licence or a property. What happens to the children’s future if that changes? A second citizenship in the European Union is the long-term answer many of them are looking for, and Portugal comes up in many of those searches.

So let’s answer the question behind every search for Portugal citizenship by investment: can you buy Portuguese citizenship? No. But Portugal does offer a well-defined path from residence to a Portuguese passport, and investment can open the first door. Here is how it works under the 2026 rules.

Is there Portugal citizenship by investment?

Portugal has no citizenship-by-investment programme. What it has is residence by investment (the Golden Visa) and other residence routes such as the D2 and D7. Citizenship comes later, by naturalisation, once you have held legal residence long enough and meet the other conditions.

AIMA, Portugal’s immigration agency, says this directly about Golden Visa holders: they can apply for permanent residence under the Foreigners’ Act and for Portuguese nationality by naturalisation, provided they meet the other requirements of the Nationality Law.

The 2026 rules: what the new nationality law changed

Lei Orgânica n.º 1/2026 amended Portugal’s Nationality Law and has applied since 19 May 2026. For naturalisation, the key changes are:

• 10 years of legal residence for most nationalities;
• 7 years for nationals of Portuguese-speaking (CPLP) countries and EU citizens;
• proof, by test or certificate, of sufficient knowledge of the Portuguese language and culture, history and national symbols;
• knowledge of the fundamental rights and duties of citizenship and of how the Portuguese state is organised;
• a solemn declaration of adherence to the principles of the democratic rule of law;
• the ability to support yourself, plus clean criminal and security checks.

Applications already pending on 19 May 2026 continue under the previous wording of the law. New applicants follow the new rules.

How your residence time is counted now

Two details matter for planning:

1. The law now adds up all your periods of legal residence, continuous or not, as long as they fall within a maximum window of 12 years for nationals of most countries (9 years for CPLP and EU nationals).
2. The 2026 law revoked article 15(4), the rule that counted time from the date you applied for your first residence permit. In practice, plan on the clock running from the periods in which you hold a valid residence permit.

That makes one thing very clear: the earlier you start, the earlier your clock starts.

Three residence routes that can lead there

Route	What you need (2026)	Time in Portugal	Best for
Golden Visa (investment residence)	From €500,000 in qualifying Portuguese funds or company capital with 5 jobs, among other routes; no real estate	At least 7 days in the first year and 14 days in subsequent periods	Investors who want to keep living in the UAE
D2 (entrepreneur)	A Portuguese company or investment, plus means from €920 a month	You live in Portugal	Business owners building an EU business
D7 (passive income)	Regular passive income from €920 a month for the main applicant	You live in Portugal	Families with pensions, rent or dividends

Explore each route: Portugal Golden Visa, Portugal D2 visa and Portugal D7 visa. For the D7 in detail, read our D7 income guide. Going the company route? See the Portugal D2 visa requirements checklist.

The milestones, step by step

1. Residence card. Your first temporary permit is valid for 2 years, then renews for 3 years at a time.
2. Permanent residence after 5 years. You can apply once you have held a temporary permit for at least 5 years, with means of subsistence, accommodation and basic Portuguese (A2 level or above is accepted).
3. Citizenship after 10 years (7 for CPLP and EU nationals) of legal residence, with the language, culture and civic requirements above.

The naturalisation application fee for adults is €250 under the official registry fee table.

Keeping the clock running

Gaps in legal residence cost you time. For D2 and D7 holders, AIMA can cancel a temporary permit after an unjustified absence from Portugal of 6 consecutive months, or 8 months in total, over the permit’s validity. Golden Visa holders follow their own minimum-stay rule instead. In every case, renew on time and keep your file complete.

What it means for your children

• Children come with you. Spouses and dependent children can join through family reunification and build their own residence time.
• Children born in Portugal can acquire Portuguese nationality when, at the time of birth, a parent has been legally resident in Portugal for at least 5 years, among other conditions.
• Minors born in Portugal to foreign parents can also be naturalised when one parent has 5 years of legal residence and the child attends compulsory schooling, where applicable.

The new language and culture test

The law now refers to a test or certificate covering language, culture, history and national symbols. The Government had 90 days to update the Nationality Regulation. When we checked in October 2026, the detailed rules for the new test had not yet been published. The existing Portuguese language test for nationality is set at A2 level. Start lessons early; it is the easiest requirement to prepare for.

Can you keep your current passport?

Portugal does not require you to give up your current nationality when you naturalise. Your current country may. Check its rules before you apply.

Is this the right Plan B for your family?

If you want EU security for the next generation without leaving the UAE today, the Golden Visa is usually the route to compare first. If you are ready to build a business or retire in Portugal, the D2 or D7 can cost far less. The right choice depends on your funds, your family and how much time you can spend in Portugal.

We are a management and immigration consultancy with teams in Dubai and Lisbon. We map your route, count your residence time and prepare each application. Final decisions rest with the relevant authorities; our job is to make every step as strong as it can be. Start with our Portugal visas overview.

Frequently asked questions

Can I buy Portuguese citizenship?

No. Portugal has no citizenship-by-investment programme. Investment can give you residence through the Golden Visa, and citizenship can follow by naturalisation after the legal residence period.

How many years until I can get a Portuguese passport?

For most nationalities, 10 years of legal residence under the law in force since 19 May 2026; 7 years for CPLP and EU nationals. You also need the language, culture and civic requirements.

Does Golden Visa time count towards citizenship?

AIMA confirms that Golden Visa holders can apply for naturalisation if they meet the Nationality Law’s other requirements. Keep your permit valid and renewed, and plan for the language and integration requirements.

Do I lose time while waiting for my residence card?

Possibly. The 2026 law revoked the rule that counted time from the date you applied for your residence permit. The safest plan is to count from when you hold a valid permit, and to apply and renew promptly.

Can my children become Portuguese?

Children who move with you build their own legal residence. Children born in Portugal can acquire nationality when a parent has had at least 5 years of legal residence at the time of birth, among other conditions.

Who decides, and how does Baker & Co help?

The Portuguese authorities decide every application. We help you choose the route, keep your residence clock running and prepare each file to the highest standard.

Sources

• Lei Orgânica n.º 1/2026, de 18 de maio (Nationality Law amendment), Diário da República: https://diariodarepublica.pt/dr/detalhe/lei-organica/1-2026-1123539996
• Lei Orgânica n.º 1/2026, full text (PDF), Diário da República: https://files.diariodarepublica.pt/1s/2026/05/09500/0000200020.pdf
• Justiça.gov.pt, “Lei da Nacionalidade: novas regras entram em vigor a 19 de maio”: https://justica.gov.pt/Noticias/Lei-da-Nacionalidade-novas-regras-entram-em-vigor-a-19-de-maio
• AIMA, Investment residence permit (ARI), Art. 90.º-A: https://aima.gov.pt/pt/viver/autorizacao-de-residencia-para-investimento-art-90-o-a
• AIMA, Permanent residence permit, Art. 80.º: https://aima.gov.pt/pt/viver/autorizacao-de-residencia-permanente-art-80-o
• AIMA, Portuguese language FAQ (A2 certification): https://aima.gov.pt/pt/lingua-portuguesa/perguntas-e-respostas
• AIMA, Residence permit for independent professional activity (permit validity): https://aima.gov.pt/pt/trabalhar/autorizacao-de-residencia-para-exercicio-de-atividade-profissional-independente-com-visto-de-residencia-art-89-o-n-o1
• Lei n.º 23/2007 (Foreigners’ Act), consolidated, articles 80 and 85: https://diariodarepublica.pt/dr/legislacao-consolidada/lei/2007-67564445
• IRN, registry fees (naturalisation €250): https://irn.justica.gov.pt/Custos-dos-servicos
• Decreto-Lei n.º 139/2025 (2026 minimum wage €920): https://diariodarepublica.pt/dr/detalhe/decreto-lei/139-2025-992879809

Checked against official sources in October 2026. Nationality rules and their regulations can change; confirm what applies to your case before you plan. This article is general information, not legal advice.