Golden visa holders plan lawsuit over nationality law

More than 500 holders of Portugal’s golden visa are preparing a collective lawsuit against the Portuguese state over the new nationality law, in a case that matters for foreign residents using the scheme as a route to citizenship. The law was promulgated on Sunday by President António José Seguro.

According to Expresso, the group has organised through WhatsApp groups and is expected to register shortly as an association. Most are US citizens, although the group includes people of other nationalities.

The lawyers representing these investors are, for now, advising them to wait for the final implementing rules before moving ahead. Madalena Monteiro, a lawyer at Liberty Legal, argues that the time-counting method set out in the new law breaches the principles of equality and human dignity.

She said the legal actions will argue that the clock for nationality purposes should start 90 days after a residence application is submitted. The challenge focuses on how time is counted under the new law for foreign citizens who were attracted to Portugal under the golden visa regime.

Originally published at Eco.pt