The EU Long-Term Residency Permit allows you to live and work in most EU countries after just 5 years of residency in Portugal, without needing Portuguese citizenship. For many people, this completely reshapes the long-term plan of moving to Portugal.

🔥 Why this matters

Most newcomers assume the path is simple: temporary residency → Portuguese permanent residency → Portuguese citizenship. But there’s a lesser-known third option that grants access to much of the European Union in half the time.

The EU long-term residence permit (also known as EU long-stay status) offers many of the practical benefits associated with EU citizenship—freedom to live, work, and relocate across Europe—while you continue working toward Portuguese citizenship in the background.

📍 In this episode, you’ll learn:
✅ The difference between Portuguese permanent residency and EU long-term residency
✅ How the EU long-term permit lets you access most EU countries after 5 years
✅ Why this option may be more useful than citizenship for some expats
✅ Which EU countries don’t participate
✅ How you can use this permit to move freely in the EU and still become a Portuguese citizen later

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We're also on YouTube if you prefer to watch videos.

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Portugal has just doubled its citizenship residency requirement—from 5 years to 10. So what does this actually mean for you? And is Portugal still worth considering as a place to live, retire, or base yourself in Europe?

In October 2025, Portugal’s parliament approved an increase in the residency requirement for citizenship: 10 years for most applicants, and 7 years for those from Portuguese-speaking countries (and the EU). It’s a major shift, but the real impact depends entirely on your circumstances.

In this episode, we break down what the changes mean for:

✅ Full-time residents on D7 or Digital Nomad visas
✅ Anyone whose main goal was an EU passport
✅ Workers planning to eventually move to higher-wage EU countries
✅ Families relocating with children
✅ Golden Visa investors

The bottom line? If you're moving to Portugal because you genuinely want to live there, not much has changed. But if you were relying on Portugal’s previous 5-year path to EU citizenship, you may need to rethink your strategy—especially since other countries with faster citizenship timelines may not offer residency visas that are as accessible or realistic as Portugal’s.

Like our content?

Visit Portugalist.com for more info our check out our book: Moving to Portugal Made Simple

We're also on YouTube if you prefer to watch videos.

Don't forget to book your Free Consultation today: https://www.portugalist.com/chat

Your Portugal scouting trip could be the most important trip you take this year—so let's make sure you do it right.

In this comprehensive episode, James Cave from Portugalist.com breaks down exactly how to plan a successful scouting trip to Portugal. This isn't tourist advice—this is a strategic reconnaissance mission for aspiring expats who want to figure out if Portugal is right for them, where they should live, and how to secure housing.

In This Episode, You'll Learn:

• The three critical questions your scouting trip must answer
• Why "near the coast" isn't specific enough (and how to narrow down your location list)
• How to create an efficient itinerary when Portugal has so many options
• What to research before you go versus what requires boots on the ground
• The biggest mistakes people make on their first scouting trip
• Why you should look at properties even if you're not ready to commit
• The truth about opening bank accounts and getting your NIF during your trip
• How to experience daily life (not just tourist life) in Portugal
• Whether you should drive or rely on public transport
• Why visiting during different seasons matters
• Real talk about what you can accomplish in one trip versus multiple visits

Perfect for: Anyone seriously considering a move to Portugal, whether you're a family looking for great schools, a retiree seeking affordable European living, a digital nomad wanting a home base, or anyone dreaming of a lifestyle change.

Like our content?

Visit Portugalist.com for more info our check out our book: Moving to Portugal Made Simple

We're also on YouTube if you prefer to watch videos.

Don't forget to book your Free Consultation today: https://www.portugalist.com/chat