Portugal Golden Visa
The Portugal Golden Visa is a residency-by-investment program designed for non-EU/EEA citizens seeking permanent residency.
Introduced by the Portuguese government in October 2012, the Golden Visa program aims to stimulate the national economy by attracting foreign investment. It has since become one of the most sought-after programs globally, raising over €6 billion.
Offering various investment opportunities, from real estate to capital transfers, the program provides a residency permit that allows you to live, work, and study in Portugal. The country is known for its high quality of life and reasonable living costs. Qualifying participants also enjoy enhanced travel freedom, with visa-free access to 188 countries, including those in the Schengen Area.
Additionally, the program offers long-term advantages. After maintaining residency status for five years, applicants can apply for Portuguese citizenship, permanent residence, and an EU passport. The appeal of Portuguese citizenship by investment is growing, thanks to the high living standards in Portugal.
Minimum Investment
€500,000
Processing Time
12-18 months
Key Residency Benefit
Path to EU Citizenship
About Portugal
Population
Portugal has a population of just over 10 million, over an area of 92,212 km². The European country has one of the highest life expectancy rates at 81 years old.
Capital City
The capital city of Portugal is Lisbon. The capital is also Portugal's largest city with an estimated population of 504,718.
Climate
Portugal generally enjoys 300 days of sunshine.Hot summers and wet winters.
Currency
The euro is the official currency of Portugal. After the US dollar, the euro is the second-largest and second-most traded currency in the world.
Languages
Portuguese is the official language of Portugal. Over a quarter of the population speak English (27%).
GDP
Portugal has a GDP of $298.9 billion
Portugal
Portugal is the westernmost European country. Its colonies extended across Africa, Brazil, Persia, Indochina and the Malay Peninsula, creating one of the world’s most globalised and peaceful nations.
Portugal is considered very safe and has a low crime rate. Although Portuguese is the official language, English is widely spoken in tourist regions.
Portugal is a member of the Schengen area and began using the Euro as its currency in 2002. While Portugal is shifting towards offering business-oriented services, a third of its economy remains in manufacturing. It is the world’s largest supplier of cork and enjoys the benefits of strong tourism industry. Portugal has produced streamlined legislation to create an efficient process by which non-EU citizens may obtain a residence permit based on investment.
Benefits of a Second Citizenship in Portugal
Visa-free travel
The Portuguese Golden Visa grants Visa-free travel in Europe’s Schengen Area and the right to live, work, and study in Portugal
Public Services
Excellent international and Portuguese schools and universities at lower EU tuition fees as well as international quality healthcare clinics and hospitals.
Quality of Life
Portugal has a high quality of life, local cuisine and wines, rich culture, mild climate, and a high level of security
Path to EU Citizenship
Eligibility to apply for citizenship after five years as a legal resident while keeping other citizenship(s)
Investment Oppurtunities
Portuguese property has attractive yields of up to 7% and 5% average capital appreciation in a country with a highly favourable tax system (non-habitual residency)
Minimum Stay Requirements
Portugal has a low minimum stay requirement: you only need to spend a total of five weeks in the country over five years.
Key Benefit Of Residency In Portugal
The Portugal Golden visa is a popular route to obtaining EU citizenship. It is possible to apply for Portuguese citizenship after the 5th year of holding the Portuguese Golden Visa.
As Portugal is an EU country, obtaining Portuguese citizenship gives the investor and their family access additional EU benefits. These include the ability to live, work and study anywhere in the EU. Portugal passport holders are also granted visa-free travel to 188 countries.
How To Obtain Residency In Portugal
Capital Transfer
A capital transfer of at least €500,000 in research activities can be made, or €250,000 in preserving national heritage in Portugal.
Capital transfer of at least €500,000 for the acquisition of units of investment funds or venture capital funds for the capitalisation of companies whose maturity at the time of the investment is at least 5 years, and at least 60% of the value of investments will be realised in commercial companies based in Portugal.
€500,000 constitution of a commercial society with head office in Portugal and creation of 5 permanent working jobs.
Invest into funds
Capital transfer of €500,000 or higher to invest in an investment fund or venture capital fund incorporated under Portuguese law which is dedicated to the capitalisation of companies, whose maturity at the moment of the investment is at least five years and with 60% of the investment portfolio realised in commercial companies with their head office in national territory.
Frequently Asked Questions
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The minimum investment amount for the Portuguese Golden Visa is €500,000.
There is also a donation option available of €250,000. This donation must be made into artistic production or in the recovery or maintenance of national cultural heritage, arts or culture.
Be aware that other costs such as government application fees and legal processing fees also apply. One of our specialists will discuss this with you in more detail, so you are aware of all costs upfront.
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No. You do not have to live permanently in Portugal to renew your Portugal Golden Visa or receive permanent residence or citizenship.
The minimum stay requirements for the Portugal Golden Visa are that you must stay in the country for at least seven days in the first year. You must remain in the country for 14 days for the following two-year period. Over the course of five years, this works out to five weeks in Portugal to get your permanent residence permit.
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The initial Portuguese Golden Visa grants temporary residence for two years after the initial application. You can renew your temporary residence visa for two successive periods of two years at a time, as long as you continue to meet the requirements.
Obtaining a Golden Visa and citizenship in Portugal takes approximately five years.
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The requirements for the Golden Visa are quite simple:
You and your immediate family have a clean criminal record
You aren’t currently a citizen of an EU country (this applies if you are from the United Kingdom following Brexit, meaning UK citizens can apply for Portugal citizenship by investment program.)
You have the required investment amount – the amount will change depending on the type of investment you choose.
As long as you meet the criteria above, we can start your application.
Residency Programmes
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Greece
Investment: 250,000 USD
Route To Greek Citizenship
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Malta
Investment : 130,000 USD
European Residency Permit
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Portugal
Investment: 500,000 EUR
Golden Visa Free Travel
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Spain
Investment: 500,000 EUR
Route To Spanish Citizenship
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UAE
Investment: 550,000 USD
Favourable Tax System
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USA EB-3
Investment: 45,000 USD
Permanent Residency In The USA
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USA EB-5
Investment: 800,000 USD
USA Green Card
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With the range of programes available it can be difficult to know which is best suited to your needs and what offers the best benefits. Book a Free Consultation today to get our expertise and begin your journey to Freedom.