Updated on September 4, 2024
Residence permit by investment for affordable living and visa-free trips around the Schengen Area
The Portugal Golden Visa program, also known as the Portugal Investment Residency Program, was launched in 2012. It allows wealthy people to obtain residency in the country by investing in its economy.
Applicants have 5 investment options: purchasing investment fund units, supporting art and restoring cultural heritage, investing in research activities, business investment and opening a company with the creation of at least 10 jobs.
The residence permit is issued for 2 years with an opportunity to extend it each 2 years for as long as the investor wants.
With a Portugal residence permit, investors obtain various benefits: a right to live, work or run a business in Portugal, travel visa-free around the Schengen Area, optimise taxes and obtain EU citizenship in 5 years.
€250,000
Minimum investment
12+ months
Processing time
2 years with renewal
Validity period
1
Holders of the Portugal residency can travel freely within the Schengen zone, which includes 29 European countries.
Holders of the Portugal residency can travel freely within the Schengen zone, which includes 29 European countries.
2
After five years of legal residency, there’s an option to apply for Portuguese citizenship. The 5-years naturalisation period is calculated from the moment of payment of the state fee for applying for a Portugal Golden Visa.
After five years of legal residency, there’s an option to apply for Portuguese citizenship. The 5-years naturalisation period is calculated from the moment of payment of the state fee for applying for a Portugal Golden Visa.
3
Golden Visa holders are required to stay in Portugal for 7 days per annum, which allows flexibility for investors who do not want to relocate permanently.
Golden Visa holders are required to stay in Portugal for 7 days per annum, which allows flexibility for investors who do not want to relocate permanently.
4
Immediate family members can also qualify for residency, promoting family unity.
Immediate family members can also qualify for residency, promoting family unity.
5
Portugal is known for its political stability, low crime rate, and high quality of life.
Portugal is known for its political stability, low crime rate, and high quality of life.
6
Access to world-class healthcare facilities and renowned educational institutions. Portuguese diplomas are recognized in all the EU states.
Access to world-class healthcare facilities and renowned educational institutions. Portuguese diplomas are recognized in all the EU states.
7
Compared to many Western or Northern European countries, Portugal generally offers a lower cost of living. €820 per month is enough for one person.
Compared to many Western or Northern European countries, Portugal generally offers a lower cost of living. €820 per month is enough for one person.
8
Portugal boasts a rich culture, pleasant climate, beautiful landscapes, and a warm and welcoming population.
Portugal boasts a rich culture, pleasant climate, beautiful landscapes, and a warm and welcoming population.
9
The Portugal Golden Visa offers several investment options, including job creation, and investment in scientific research or cultural projects.
The Portugal Golden Visa offers several investment options, including job creation, and investment in scientific research or cultural projects.
10
If children are born in Portugal to Portuguese residents, they can qualify for automatic citizenship. The condition is that the parents have held a Portugal Golden Visa for at least one year before the birth.
If children are born in Portugal to Portuguese residents, they can qualify for automatic citizenship. The condition is that the parents have held a Portugal Golden Visa for at least one year before the birth.
Over 18
No criminal record or prosecution
No debts in Portugal
Investment money is earned abroad
Able to confirm the legality of the income
Medical insurance
Opposite or same sex
No criminal record
In a registered marriage or a partnership of at least 2 years
If under 18: No specific conditions
If aged 18 to 26: Must be financially dependent on the investor, live with the investor or study at a university
Financially dependent on the investor or the spouse
Portugal has five investment options under the Golden Visa Program.
1. Purchase of investment fund units
An investment fund is a financial institution aiming to attract and increase capital by investing in different assets. The minimum investment is €500,000. It must be held for at least 5 years. Then, the investor can return the money and get their part of the earned profit.
2. Supporting arts and restoring cultural heritage
3. Investment in research activities
The minimum investment is €500,000. This type of investment is non-refundable.
4. Business investment
The investor contributes €500,000 to the chosen business and creates at least 5 jobs.
5. Opening a company with the creation of at least 10 jobs
The minimum investment sum is unspecified.
Explore the benefits and drawbacks of the Portugal investment program versus other Golden Visas
Obtaining a Portugal Golden Visa consists of several mandatory steps and takes 12+ months.
01.
We guide our clients through all available investment options and help them choose one that suits them the most. Once a suitable option is selected, we sign a contract.
02.
Taxpayer number (NIF) is required for every person planning to open a Portuguese bank account and make payments within the country.
To obtain a tax number, the investor or their lawyer with a power of attorney visits the Portuguese tax office.
03.
Under the Portugal Golden Visa program, the investor can transfer money only from the Portuguese bank account. A bank account can be opened by the investor or by their lawyer.
04.
The investor purchases investment fund units, makes a business investment or supports art or science.
05.
The list of required documents usually includes:
copies of passports;
certificates of no criminal record;
health insurance for every person participating in the program;
government questionnaires and forms.
Depending on the chosen investment option, the investor might be required to submit, for example, a signature declaration from the investment fund.
06.
The investor and family are expected to visit Portugal to submit original documents and fingerprints. They must book an appointment to take biometrics in advance through the Agency for Integration, Migrations and Asylum of Portugal, AIMA.
07.
AIMA considers the investor’s application for up to 6 months and makes a final decision.
If the application is approved, the investor and their family obtain residence permit cards. They can be collected by the applicants or by a lawyer by proxy.
Besides the Golden Visa, Portugal also offers D7 and Digital Nomad residency visas.
D7 visa is designed for foreigners with passive income coming from outside Portugal. It can be dividends, interests, pensions, or income from renting real estate. To qualify for a D7 visa, an individual must prove their passive income is at least €820 per month.
Digital Nomad Visa is granted to remote workers and freelancers. They must come from non-EU countries and make at least €3,280 a month.
Investment amount — €250,000+
Visa-free travel to the Schengen countries
Creating of a safe haven or moving to Italy
Special tax regime
Investment amount — €250,000+
Visa-free entry to the Schengen Area
Relocation to a European country with an affordable cost of living
Tax optimisation with low rates
Investment amount — €250,000+
Visa-free entry to the Schengen countries
Possibility to live, study, and start a business in Greece
Prospect of citizenship in 7 years
Investment amount — €500,000+
Visa-free entry to the Schengen countries
Opportunity to live, study, and start a business in Spain
Prospect of citizenship in 10 years
Investment amount — €150,000+
Visa-free entry to the Schengen countries
Ability to live, study, start a business, and work in Malta
New family members can be added after the investor has received permanent residence
Investment amount — €300,000+
Tax optimisation
Property investment income
Prospect of obtaining citizenship in 5 years
Investment amount — €600,000+
Visa-free entry to France and Spain
Simplified US and Schengen visas processing
Only 3-month residing a year to keep the residence permit
Investment amount — $870,000+
Moving to the USA or creating a safe haven
Opportunity to obtain US citizenship
Opening bank accounts in the USA
Investment amount — AED 2,000,000+
Residency for 10 years
Moving to the UAE or creating a “safe haven”
Tax optimisation
Opening a bank account in the UAE
Investment amount — $400,000+
Visa-free entry to Japan, Singapore, and other 100+ countries
Opportunity to obtain a US E‑2 business visa
A safe haven in a warm country by the sea
Investment amount — $200,000+
Global mobility with 140+ visa-free destinations
Opportunity to get a 10-year visitor visa to the USA
No taxes on dividends, interest, royalties, and capital gains for Dominica tax residents
Investment amount — $230,000+
Visa-free entry to the Schengen countries and the UK
Opportunity to get a 10-year visitor visa to the USA
Favorable investment conditions for families
Investment amount — $240,000+
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Opportunity to get a 10-year visitor visa to the USA
No taxes on foreign income, dividends, and capital gains in St Lucia
Investment amount — $235,000+
Visa-free entry to the Schengen countries, the UK, and China
Eligibility for the US E‑2 business visa
No taxes on foreign income, dividends, interest, and royalties in Grenada
Investment amount — $250,000+
Global mobility with 150+ visa-free destinations
Opportunity to get a 10-year visitor visa to the USA
Possibility to become a tax resident and pay 0% personal income tax
Investment amount — $25,500+
Long-term visa to live in Thailand or create a safe haven for up to 15 years
Bonuses and privileges for visa holders
Tax optimisation
Investment amount — $130,000+
Fastest citizenship program in the world, with application processing within 1—4 months
Opportunity to get a 5-year visitor visa to the USA
Beneficial tax regime for companies for 20 years
