Happy Sunday, friend! 😎
Summer has officially arrived: the sun is blazing, the ice cream is melting, and the citizenship debate is heating up right alongside the temperatures.
This week brought big news: proposed changes to Portugal’s citizenship law have sparked serious discussion, especially for those of us still working toward citizenship. But there’s one small win to ease the stress — the validity of expired documents has been extended once again, this time through October 2025. So if you were sweating the June 30 deadline, go ahead and exhale… and settle in for yet another round of waiting.
🔎 Here’s what’s coming this month in The Expat Hustle:
Part 2 of our Property Series: Buying Smart in Portugal – Costs, Taxes & Expat Pitfalls
Airbnb Deep Dive: What you need to know before buying property to rent short-term
The NHR Exit Plan: How to prepare when your NHR tax status is running out
The first-ever Hustle Lite Edition: Dropping end of July, packed with weekend ideas, cool local stories, and community shoutouts
Today we’ll take a look at:
🛂 the new proposed citizenship law,
🎶 highlight some hot summer events to keep the good vibes going,
🗣 and wrap it up with a fun and lighthearted Portuguese language lesson.
🙏 A Quick Favor
If you’ve found value in this newsletter, would you share it with one friend today? Growth means more amazing collabs with smart minds in the expat space and better content for you every week.
You can use the social share buttons at the top of this email, or just click here to share the signup page.
Now, let’s dive in, shall we?
📷 Pic of the week
Ilhéu de Vila Franca do Campo is a small, uninhabited volcanic islet located off the south-central coast of the island of São Miguel, near the town of Vila Franca do Campo. This iconic natural formation is a protected nature reserve and one of the most distinctive landmarks in the Azores. A popular summer destination for swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing. The islet has also hosted the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series multiple times, drawing international attention to its dramatic cliffs and clear waters
📰 What’s Happening
MUSIC
RFM Somnii Festival, (4-6 July, Figueira da Foz): One of Portugal’s most prominent annual music events, celebrated for its unique beach setting and focus on electronic music. Held at Praia do Relógio in Figueira da Foz, the festival is organized by the radio station RFM in partnership with MOT (Memories of Tomorrow). The festival is now considered one of the largest beach festivals in Europe, with a reputation for providing unforgettable experiences, access to the beach and sea, and a vibrant party atmosphere.
Ageas Cooljazz (4-31 July, Cascais): one of Portugal’s most renowned summer music festivals, featuring over 30 concerts across three iconic venues: Hipódromo Manuel Possolo, Parque Marechal Carmona, and Jardim da Parada. The festival is known for its diverse lineup, blending jazz, soul, and contemporary music with a strong focus on comfort, nature, and sustainability. This year’s program includes both international and national artists, such as Benjamin Clementine (opening night), Seal, Slow J, Masego, Rita Vian, Margarida Campelo, Ezra Collective, Gilsons, Jota.pê, and Tindersticks.
Iron Maiden: Performing at MEO Arena, Lisbon, on July 6, 2025, celebrating their 50th anniversary.
NOS Alive 2025 (10-12 July, Passeio Marítimo de Algés, Oeiras): Featuring a diverse lineup including Olivia Rodrigo, Kings of Leon, St. Vincent, Future Islands, Sam Fender, and Glass Animals, this festival is a highlight of Portugal's summer events.
Kylie Minogue – Tension Tour (15 July, MEO Arena, Lisbon): The pop icon returns to Portugal as part of her 'Tension Tour', performing hits from her latest album and classic favorites.
FOOD & BEER
Chefs on Fire Pop-Up Aveiro (18-20 July, Aveiro): a highly acclaimed gastronomic and music festival that brings together top national and international chefs to cook on open fire, accompanied by live music in a relaxed, riverside setting. During these three days, 12 talented chefs will prepare unique dishes—meat, fish, vegetarian, and dessert—using fire, wood, and smoke, offering a tasting menu of four courses per meal.
Silves Beer Fest (15-19 July, Silves, Algarve): One of Portugal’s most iconic and long-standing beer festivals, returning to Praça Al-Mutamid in Silves. Visitors can enjoy dozens of craft beers from across Portugal, regional gastronomy, street food, and a lively handicraft market. The program features daily music shows, DJs, and entertainment, making it a vibrant gathering for both locals and tourists. The festival’s reputation as one of the best beer events in the country has only grown since its relaunch in 2017, now recognized as the top beer festival in the Algarve
ARTBEERFEST (10-13 July, Caminha, Alto Minho region): Each year, Artbeerfest transforms Caminha into a “mecca for craft beer,” attracting thousands of enthusiasts from Portugal, Spain, and beyond. The event features hundreds of craft beers from national and international breweries, with past editions hosting more than 60 teams from 17 countries and offering 550 different beer styles. The festival is known for its eclectic and innovative program, including tastings, gastronomy, master classes, labshops, street entertainment, concerts, and performances.
MARKETS
FIARTIL, or the Feira de Artesanato do Estoril (June 27-August 24, Estoril, Cascais): the oldest and most celebrated craft fair in Portugal, established in 1964 and held annually in Estoril, near Cascais. The 2025 edition marks its 60th anniversary, running from June 27th to August 24th at the Espaço Fiartil, a vibrant outdoor venue close to the iconic Estoril Casino. The fair is a showcase of Portuguese craftsmanship, hosting hundreds of artisans from across the country who display and sell traditional and contemporary handicrafts.
📣 Submit Your Business, Service, or Local Scoop
Our very first Hustle Lite edition is dropping at the end of July — and I couldn’t be more excited about the fresh lineup of contributors and fun features we’ve got planned. It’s shaping up to be a feel-good, community-driven read that highlights the best of expat life in Portugal.
Want to be part of it?
Got something worth sharing? Whether you’re running a local business, offering a service, hosting an event, or just have some helpful community news, we’d love to hear from you. Each month, we’ll feature a small selection of submissions in The Expat Hustle Lite Edition — so be sure to send yours in soon for a chance to be included!
Fill in the form HERE!
💰 The Hustle Fund — Money, Taxes, and all things Financial
It’s been an interesting week, listening to the growing chorus of disappointed and frustrated voices reacting to the proposed changes to Portugal’s citizenship law. For us, what was going to be another two-year wait to apply for citizenship has now turned into seven.
While permanent residency remains available after five years, this shift could deter citizenship-focused investors, pushing some to rethink their plans or consider other EU options.
In today’s piece, we break down what’s changing, how it could impact expats, and why it matters more than you might think.
What Do the Proposed Changes to Portugal’s Nationality Laws Mean for You?
In Plain Terms: What Has Changed?
Portugal has recently made it more difficult for foreigners to become citizens. The main change is that you now have to live in Portugal legally for a longer period before you can apply for citizenship, particularly if you are not from a Portuguese-speaking country.
For most foreigners:
You now need to live in Portugal legally for 10 years before you can apply for citizenship, instead of the previous 5 years.
For people from Portuguese-speaking countries (like Brazil, Angola, etc.):
You now need to live in Portugal legally for 7 years before applying, instead of 5 years.
Other New Rules
The clock starts when you are issued your first residence permit, not when you apply for it.
You must demonstrate knowledge of the Portuguese language, culture, and the country’s rights and duties. This will be assessed through official testing.
You must have a clean criminal record. Any prison sentence—regardless of duration—will disqualify you from applying.
You are required to sign a declaration of support for Portugal’s democratic values.
Children born in Portugal to foreign parents are no longer automatically granted citizenship. The parents must have lived legally in Portugal for at least 3 years, and must actively request citizenship for the child.
If you applied for citizenship before June 19, 2025, the old rules still apply to your application.
If you become a citizen and later commit a serious crime, your Portuguese citizenship can be revoked.
Family reunification in Portugal has become more restrictive under the proposed changes. Most applicants will now need to have held legal residence for at least two years, and must also meet language and integration requirements. Only minor children can apply from within Portugal—spouses and adult children must apply from outside the country if they wish to join the resident.
Summary
Before: You could apply for Portuguese citizenship after five years of legal residency, with language and basic criminal record checks. Children born to foreign parents in Portugal could become citizens more easily.
Now: You must wait 7 or 10 years, depending on your nationality, pass language and cultural integration tests, have a clean criminal record, and formally support Portugal’s values. Children are no longer automatically granted citizenship, and naturalized citizens may lose their citizenship if convicted of serious crimes.
These changes aim to ensure that those who acquire Portuguese citizenship are genuinely integrated into the country’s society and values.
Why this matters?
The practical answer is that presently there is no grandfathering of people who have moved and/or invested in Portugal. The proposed changes affect both existing applicants and current holders of valid residence permits. The Golden Visa investment scheme was created around the five-year citizenship strategy. Now investments may need to redesign midstream.
The more philosophical answer is more concerning. This decision is another trust breaker for people who want to call Portugal their home. As Vlad Shifter stated in his LinkedIn article, “But let’s be honest — if a company or a person made you a promise and then just walked it back, saying “we owe you nothing,” you’d probably never deal with them again. That’s exactly what Portugal is doing now. It sends a clear message: don’t trust our word.”
Businesses who want to locate in Portugal need stability not only for their business but also for the employees that they are actively trying to bring to this beautiful country. It becomes much more difficult to attract top talent if they feel that the promises that brought them here are not going to be there after they unpack their bags.
The Current Legislative Status
The proposed law has not yet come into force. As of June 2025, it has been approved by the Council of Ministers and will soon be presented to Parliament for debate and voting. This process involves:
Formal submission to Parliament;
Review by relevant parliamentary committees;
A final vote in Parliament.
Because this represents a constitutional change, it requires a two-thirds majority to be passed into law. The final version of the law could still change depending on upcoming elections and ongoing political negotiations.
What Happens Next?
If the law is approved by Parliament, it will be enacted and come into effect.
If it is not approved, it may be amended, delayed, or rejected altogether.
The process may take several months or longer, depending on political developments.
Call to Action: Petition to Retain the 5-Year Rule
There is currently a petition that could help grandfather in those of us already residing in Portugal under the existing 5-year rule.
Here is the petition’s message:
PETITION
Important news for all of us who have made Portugal our home.
The government is proposing a significant change to the citizenship law. At the moment, you can apply for Portuguese citizenship after 5 years of residence. A new proposal would increase that to 10 years.
This would affect thousands of people who have already invested time, effort, and care into building a life here—learning the language, contributing to the community, and integrating into Portuguese society.
We’ve started an official petition to ask Parliament to keep the 5-year rule for those who are already living in the country. It’s hosted on the Portuguese Parliament’s website, and we need 7,500 signatures for it to be formally considered.
You do not need to be a Portuguese citizen to sign—just someone who believes in fairness, inclusion, and the right to plan your future in the country you call home. Sign here:
Please consider signing and sharing with others in your network.
Further Reading:
Portugal's nationality law 2025 - proposed changes by FRESH Portugal
New rules for Portuguese nationality - by Portugal News
🛂
Special thanks to Mark Moberg, Certified Financial Planner™ at Green Ocean Global Advisors, LLC. for his contribution to today’s article.
Mark Moberg CPF®, CBDA® Tampa/Lisbon
+1 813 837 2800 / +351 911 715 685 201
Spear Street, Suite 1100, San Francisco CA 94105, United States [email protected]
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as personalized financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. While the author is an employee of Green Ocean Global Advisors, LLC, the views expressed here are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the firm or its affiliates. This content may reference financial planning strategies applicable to U.S. persons living abroad or navigating cross-border financial situations. However, financial planning and tax laws vary by jurisdiction and are subject to change. You should consult with a qualified financial advisor or tax professional who understands the laws in both your home country and country of residence before making any decisions. Nothing in this article constitutes a recommendation, solicitation, or offer to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Green Ocean Global Advisors, LLC is a registered investment advisor located in California, USA. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. For more information, please visit our website or contact us directly.
🗣 Lost in Lingo
This week’s Portuguese lesson is a fun one! If you're looking for a lighthearted and super simple way to learn Portuguese, Simpleton Portuguese is the channel for you. In this short video, he breaks down how to form negative sentences in Portuguese. It's beginner-friendly, yes, but even as someone who's been learning for a while, I found it to be a great refresher. Quick, clear, and a little goofy (in the best way). Enjoy!
…And That’s All Folks
Thanks for reading! 💌
Hustle on!
Angelique🧞♀️
Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Don’t miss next week’s scoop by signing up here.
Disclaimer: The links I share are for products and services I’ve actually used and recommend. Sometimes, I get to share a referral link, which might throw a little reward my way—but never at your expense. You’ll pay the same price set by the supplier, no sneaky markups. My recommendations are always based on experience, not commissions. Thanks for supporting this newsletter—you rock!
Did you enjoy this week’s newsletter?