Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has accused bureaucracy of amassing billions in corruption, going on to allege that more than half of the country’s bureaucrats have acquired property in Portugal and are preparing to obtain its citizenship.

 

While the Establishment Division and the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) – the two institutions responsible for civil service discipline and accountability – maintain having no knowledge or evidence supporting the claims, reports have quoted bureaucrats as saying that the minister’s remarks have caused widespread resentment within the civil bureaucracy.

 

Amid uproar and speculation since after Asif’s statements, and newfound interest of Pakistanis in obtaining Portuguese citizenship, here is everything you need to know about the process and its requirements.

 

Golden Visa Programme

Portugal does not offer direct citizenship by investment. Instead, investors can apply for the Golden Visa, which leads to permanent residency and eventually citizenship after five years.

 

To qualify, applicants must make a minimum €500,000 investment in property or €350,000 in property requiring renovation in idesignated areas.

 

Among other investment opportunities are a transfer of €1.5 million to Portugal, creation of at least 10 jobs in Portugal, investment of €500,000 in a Portuguese business, €250,000 in arts, culture or scientific research. Applicants can also invest €500,000 in approved venture capital funds.

 

A golden visa is renewable every two years and can make you eligible for citizenship after five years of legal residency with basic Portuguese language proficiency as long as you have a clean criminal record and proof of investment.

 

Don’t have the money? Here’s what else you can do…

 

Citizenship by Naturalisation

Pakistani citizens can also pursue Portuguese citizenship through naturalisation after residing in the country for a minimum of five years.

 

This route requires fulfilling various conditions, including a clean criminal record, sufficient knowledge of the Portuguese language, and demonstrating integration into Portuguese society.  According to various consultants, continuous legal stay for a full ten years may be required for naturalisation under new criteria. 

 

While residency permits need to be renewed during the period of stay in Portugal, other routes to obtain citizenship include family reunification and birth or descent.