For more than a decade, when people searched for “EU residency by investment”, one answer dominated: Portugal Golden Visa.

Even though the classic real estate track for new applicants has now been closed, Portugal still has a strong brand as a lifestyle and residency destination – safe cities, mild climate, tax planning options, and an overall high quality of life. 

But if your ultimate target is a second passport, not just a residence card, you now have to adjust to a new reality.

The New Timeline for Portuguese Citizenship

Portugal has approved reforms to its Nationality Law that extend the standard naturalisation period for most non-EU nationals from 5 years to 10 years, with a shorter 7-year track for EU and CPLP (Portuguese-speaking) citizens. 

In practice, that means:

• You can still build a long-term plan around Portugal.

• But you should now think in terms of a 10-year horizon for citizenship (unless you fall under a special category).

• Language, civic integration and “real ties” requirements are expected to become more important in the process. 

At Citizenship Network, this is exactly where most conversations now start. Clients often say:

• “We still love Portugal – but does 10 years fit our timeline?”

• “What’s the smartest way to combine Portugal with a faster route?”

• “Should we add a parallel option so we’re not locked into a single plan?”

The answer is usually not “Portugal or something else”, but Portugal and a strategic alternative.

Step One: Be Clear on Your Real Goal

Before choosing any program, we always ask clients one simple question at Citizenship Network:

Is your first priority EU residency, or a second passport on a predictable timeline?

Once you answer that honestly, your options become much clearer.

Broadly, investors and families tend to fall into two groups:

1. “I want EU access and a future EU citizenship option.”

   → You’ll look mainly at Greece and Cyprus as alternatives to Portugal.

2. “I want a second passport quickly, without waiting 7–10 years.”

   → You’ll look at Türkiye and the Caribbean citizenship by investment (CBI) programs.

Let’s break them down.

If Your Priority Is EU Residency With a Citizenship Path

1. Greece Golden Visa – Efficient EU Residency, 7-Year Path to Citizenship

Greece is one of the most practical alternatives for people who want:

• A straightforward real estate-based residency program

• Access to the Schengen Area

• A clear, long-term route to EU citizenship, even if it’s not fast

Key points for the Greece Golden Visa:

• Residency is usually granted relatively quickly after you complete the qualifying investment and biometrics. 

• There is no obligation to live full-time in Greece just to keep the residence permit – ideal if you want flexibility. 

• To move from residency to Greek citizenship, you generally need:

  • Around 7 years of legal residence

  • Genuine physical presence (plan for ~183 days/year if citizenship is your goal)

  • Proof of integration, including language and civics. 

From an investor’s point of view, Greece also has a story of economic recovery and growth, which is positive for long-term real estate value. 

At Citizenship Network, we usually see Greece chosen by:

• Families who want EU residency plus a realistic citizenship option

• Investors who like real estate exposure in a growing tourism and services market

• People who want to keep their physical presence flexible at the start, but are open to spending more time in Greece later if they decide to aim for citizenship

2. Cyprus Residency by Investment – Fast, Family-Friendly EU Entry

Cyprus is another strong option if your first priority is secure EU residency with a potential path to citizenship later.

Highlights of Cyprus residency by investment:

• Minimum investment usually starts at €300,000 in qualifying property or other assets. 

• Many applicants receive approval in just a few months, often in the 2–6 month range, depending on the route. 

• The program is very family-oriented:

  • Spouses are included

  • Children can be included up to a certain age (often up to 24–25 if dependent and studying, depending on the specific route and current rules). 

For citizenship, Cyprus applies standard naturalisation rules. In practice, that usually means:

• Around 7–8 years of legal residence, plus

• Physical presence and integration requirements set out in national law. 

In most Citizenship Network cases, Cyprus is chosen by:

• Families who want predictable, fast EU entry

• Clients who like the tax environment, English-speaking professional services and strong international schools

• Investors who are comfortable building a medium- to long-term base on the island, even if they later relocate elsewhere in Europe

If Your Priority Is Fast, Direct Second Citizenship

For many investors, the new 10-year horizon in Portugal is simply too long.

They want:

• A second passport within months, not years

• A hedge against political, economic, or regional risk

• Global mobility for family and future generations

In these cases, we usually look at direct citizenship by investment (CBI) routes.

3. Türkiye Citizenship by Investment – Direct Passport via Investment

Türkiye offers a straightforward citizenship by investment program that remains one of the more accessible options globally.

Main features:

• Minimum real estate investment of USD 400,000, or alternative routes at higher thresholds (bank deposits, government bonds, funds, etc.). 

• No requirement to live in Türkiye full-time to obtain or keep citizenship; there is no language exam for investment applicants. 

• The process typically leads to citizenship in a matter of months, subject to proper structuring, documentation, and security checks. 

Türkiye is often attractive for:

• Investors from regions where visa-free access to Türkiye and regional positioning are strategically valuable

• Clients who want real estate exposure in a large, dynamic market

• Families who want a backup citizenship but plan to live elsewhere

At Citizenship Network, we usually package Türkiye as part of a multi-jurisdiction strategy – for example, combining Turkish citizenship with EU residency in Portugal, Greece, or Cyprus.

4. Caribbean Citizenship by Investment – Fastest Route to a Global Mobility Passport

For pure speed and travel freedom, the Caribbean CBI countries remain the benchmark.

The five main Caribbean citizenship by investment programs are:

• Antigua and Barbuda

• Dominica

• Grenada

• St Kitts and Nevis

• St Lucia 

Typical features across these programs:

• Processing times usually around 3–6 months for a well-prepared file. 

• Visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 140+ countries (exact list varies by country). 

• Full family inclusion options – spouse, dependent children, often parents/grandparents and sometimes siblings. 

• No residency requirement before or after citizenship in most cases. 

• Citizenship is lifetime, and can generally be passed to future generations under each country’s nationality rules. 

At Citizenship Network, Caribbean CBI is usually recommended when:

• Your top priority is a fast, reliable second passport

• You want to de-risk your family’s future without relocating

• You may later add EU residency (Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, etc.) as a second step

How Citizenship Network Helps You Build a Multi-Layer Strategy

Because of the new Portuguese citizenship rules, the question today is rarely:

“Which single program should I choose?”

Instead, the smarter question is:

“What combination of residency and citizenship options gives my family the best long-term position?”

At Citizenship Network, we typically design plans that combine:

• A long-term EU base

  – e.g. Portugal, Greece, or Cyprus for residency, lifestyle, and a future EU citizenship route

• A fast second passport

  – e.g. Türkiye or a Caribbean CBI program for immediate global mobility and security

This way you are not forced to wait 7–10 years to gain the benefits of a second citizenship, while still keeping an EU pathway open for the future.

Final Thoughts

The era of “5 years to Portuguese citizenship” is effectively over for most non-EU investors. The new 10-year naturalisation timeline means you need to be more deliberate, more diversified, and more strategic.

If you:

• Still like Portugal but don’t want all your hopes on one country, or

• Want EU options plus a fast Plan B passport, or

• Need to align your citizenship strategy with business, tax, and family priorities

…then it’s time to look at alternatives and build a multi-country roadmap.

If you’d like a tailored plan, Citizenship Network can review your goals, budget, and timeline and design a structure that combines:

• EU residency (Portugal, Greece, Cyprus)

• Fast second citizenship (Türkiye, Caribbean CBI)

• And a clear, realistic timeline for you and your family.

When you’re ready, we can walk through concrete scenarios and timelines based on your specific situation and risk profile.