Launched in 2012, the Portuguese programme has been a popular programme amongst investors because of its low stay requirement, affordable investment options and the opportunity to acquire citizenship status after year six (if investors comply to the regulations set up for the Golden Visa programme).
As of recent, the Portuguese Immigration department (SEF) are planning to update its citizenship legislation by amending the length of years an applicant can obtain a Portuguese passport. Previously, as stated above, an applicant could opt to apply for settlement in Portugal after the sixth year of their Golden Visa. However, with the new citizenship legislation, the Portuguese programme has dropped this period down by one year. Applicants can now apply for a Portuguese passport after just five years as opposed to the previous six years.