Visa and residency rule changes
Changes we have verified in the rules Americans use to move abroad. Each entry links to the official source. Also as a JSON feed.
Portugal citizenship now takes 10 years for US citizens
Lei Orgânica 1/2026 (in force 19 May 2026) raised the residence requirement for naturalisation from 5 to 10 years for most nationalities, 7 for CPLP and EU nationals. Applications pending on 19 May 2026 keep the old 5-year rule.
Was: 5 years → Now: 10 years (7 for CPLP/EU) [official source] · US to Portugal guide
Portugal D7 and D8 income thresholds rise with the 2026 minimum wage
Minimum wage is €920/month in 2026 (Decreto-Lei 139/2025). D7 needs 1x (€920/month), D8 needs 4x (€3,680/month). National visa fee is €110.
Was: D7 €870/mo, D8 €3,480/mo, fee €90 → Now: D7 €920/mo, D8 €3,680/mo, fee €110 [official source] · US to Portugal guide
Spain digital nomad visa: consulates list €2,442/month for 2026
US-based Spanish consulates state 200% of the 2026 monthly minimum wage (€1,221 x 2 = €2,442). Applications filed inside Spain are often assessed at about €2,849 (annual SMI spread over 12 months). Family: +75% for the first member, +25% for each additional one.
Was: ~€2,650/mo → Now: €2,442/mo (consulate) [official source] · US to Spain guide
Ireland Critical Skills salary floors raised
Since 1 March 2026: €40,904 for listed occupations with a relevant degree, €68,911 for other eligible occupations, €36,848 for recent graduates. Stamp 4 after 21 months on the permit. Thresholds will be indexed yearly from 2027.
Was: €38,000 / €64,000 → Now: €40,904 / €68,911 [official source] · US to Ireland guide
Italy: digital nomad income bar ~€24,789/year; national visa fee €116
US consulates (Los Angeles, New York) state €24,789/year for the digital nomad visa. The national (type D) visa fee is €116; the €300 figure that circulates is the citizenship application fee.
Was: DNV €28,000/yr, fee €300 → Now: DNV ~€24,789/yr, fee €116 [official source] · US to Italy guide
Mexico residency thresholds now set in UMA, card fees doubled
The 2025 visa guidelines (DOF 25 July 2025) set solvency in days of UMA: temporary residence 680 days monthly income (MXN 79,770.80) or 11,460 days savings; permanent (pension) 1,140 days (MXN 133,733.40) or 45,850 days. INM card fees for 2026: MXN 11,140.74 (temporary, 1 year), MXN 13,578.96 (permanent).
Was: Temp ~$4,300/mo, Perm ~$5,300/mo → Now: Temp MXN 79,771/mo, Perm MXN 133,733/mo [official source] · US to Mexico guide