The Portugal Golden Visa
COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO THE PORTUGUESE GOLDEN VISA & CITIZENSHIP BY INVESTMENT
While most other European countries focus on citizenship by descent as their main pathway to citizenship, the Portugal Golden Visa is one of the most popular ways to obtain an EU passport.
With a Golden Visa Portugal allows you to stay in the country for an extended period of time and begins the period that counts towards becoming a citizen. That’s why it’s sometimes called Portugal citizenship by investment.
For non-EU nationals, it is a great program. The country offers incredible beauty and convenient access to all of Europe, all while delivering a high standard of living at prices lower than most other Western countries.
Recent changes to the Portugal Golden visa law have shifted expectations, so make sure you understand the current Portugal Golden visa requirements thoroughly before making your investment. Learn that and more in our comprehensive guide to the Golden Visa with Portugal below.
Portugal Golden Visa at a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | ● Non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens ● 18+ years old ● Clean criminal record ● Qualifying investment (€250,000+) ● Meet stay requirements (7 days in year one, 14 days per subsequent two-year periods) |
| Qualifying Investments | ● €500,000 in investment funds ● Creation of 10 full-time jobs ● €500,000 in scientific research ● €250,000 in arts/cultural heritage (20% discount for low-density areas) |
| Application Steps | 1. Make qualifying investment 2. Gather documents (e.g., passport, proof of investment) 3. Open a Portuguese bank account 4. Submit application 5. Attend biometric appointment 6. Wait (9–12 months) |
| Costs | ● Application fee: €5,325 ● Processing charge: €533 ● Renewal fee: €2,663 ● Total estimated cost: €8,521 |
| Timeline to Citizenship | ● Maintain investment for 5 years ● Meet residency requirements ● Apply for naturalization (requires Portuguese language proficiency) |
What is the Portugal Golden Visa
The Portugal Golden Visa is a residency program designed to attract foreign investment to the country. By making a qualifying investment, applicants and their families gain the right to live, work, and study in Portugal, along with visa-free access to the Schengen Area.
The Portugal citizenship by investment program also opens the door for you to obtain Portuguese citizenship after five years, as long as you meet certain criteria. That means you can start enjoying the many benefits of Portuguese citizenship.
Benefits of the Portugal Golden Visa
As the premier route to full Portuguese citizenship, it’s no wonder that the Portuguese Golden Visa gives you plenty of benefits right away. These include:
- The right to live, work, and study in Portugal
- The right for your immediate family to join you
- Free travel within the Schengen Area
- Begin 5-year timeline to become a Portuguese citizen and obtain Portugal dual nationality
- Extremely short residency requirements (a week per year)
- One of the most affordable programs like it (minimum investments start at €250,000)
Portugal Golden Visa Requirements
To qualify for the Portuguese Golden Visa, applicants must:
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Be non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens
- Have a clean criminal record (both in Portugal and their home country)
- Make a qualifying investment under one of the approved categories (individuals must invest at least €250,000 and venture capital funds must invest at least €500,000)
- Meet the minimum stay requirement of 7 days in the first year and 14 days in subsequent two-year periods
Qualifying Investments for a Portuguese Golden Visa
Getting your Portugal Golden Visa means, above all, making a qualifying investment in the country. However, recent changes to the Portugal Golden Visa program, effective October 2023, have excluded real estate purchases as a qualifying option.
Luckily, there are still plenty of investment categories to choose from.
It’s also important to remember that these investments must be completed before the application is submitted.
- Investment Funds: A €500,000 investment in qualifying Portuguese funds provides a fairly simple pathway. You’ll need to pick a private equity or venture capital fund that matches your needs and commit to the substantial investment minimum.
- Job Creation: You can qualify by creating 10 full-time jobs during the required period, thanks to a business investment you make.
- Scientific Research: A minimum of €500,000 is required to fund scientific or technological research conducted by public or private institutions.
- Arts and National Heritage: This category requires a €250,000 investment in cultural preservation or support of the arts
There are ways to reduce the cost of your investment. If you make an investment in scientific research or arts and national heritage, you can lower the qualifying amount by 20% if you direct it towards low-density areas.
So, what exactly is a low-density area? These are defined as places with 100 inhabitants per square kilometer or the per capita GDP is less than 75% of the national average.
Note: If you don’t qualify for the Portuguese Golden Visa, don’t worry! There are plenty of other visas to explore in our complete guide to Portuguese visas here.
Applying for the Portugal Golden Visa Program
The steps for applying for the Portugal Golden Visa are fairly straightforward. However, you must already have made your qualifying investment before taking the following steps.
- Collect Documents
- Passport
- Proof of qualifying investment (see section above)
- Statement you’ll maintain investment for a minimum of 5 years
- Proof of full private healthcare coverage in Portugal
- Proof of a clean criminal record (from home country)
- Proof you don’t owe Portuguese taxes
- Proof you aren’t enrolled with Social Security in Portugal
- Receipt for application fee payment
- Open a Bank Account
- Requires a Número de Identificação Fiscal (NIF)
- Fill in Your Application
- Applications are sent to AIMA (what used to be Serviço de Fronteiras e Estrangeiros)
- Go to Your Meeting
- In-person meetings at an AIMA office are required to gather biometric data
- Wait for Processing Time
- This takes about 9-12 months
Many people prefer to have expert legal help when applying for Portuguese citizenship by investment. The investment amounts are simply too high to make a mistake, so it’s often worth it to have a professional look over the details and double-check that everything lines up.
If you’d like to speak with a professional, PDC currently offers a free consultation with an expert in applying for the Golden Visa with Portugal.
Is my documentation correct for the Portuguese Citizenship by Investment?
Documentation required for the Portuguese Golden visa is extremely important and must meet all of the current requirements to apply. Documents often have a time sensitivity and can time out for the process and expire which causes a rejection. For example, criminal background checks need to be no older than 90 days when you submit your application.
In addition, every document you turn in with your application should be legalized, translated into Portuguese, and certified. You can do this at the Portuguese Consulate. You can apostille your documents using the Hague Apostille Convention as your guide.
If this is all a little confusing, check out our complete guide on documentation for Portuguese citizenship.
How much does it cost to apply for Portugal Golden Visas?
Generally, the government fees you can expect to pay is around €8,521 per applicant, which includes a €533 processing charge, a €5,325 application fee, and a €2,663 renewal fee. These fees do not include additional legal, administrative, and investment costs.
Golden Visa to Portuguese Dual Citizenship
Once you have your Golden Visa, the path to Portuguese citizenship becomes much more streamlined.
The main requirement left is maintaining your Golden Visa by renewing every two years, which requires staying in the county for at least 7 days each year.
5 years after you first submitted your application for a Golden Visa, you meet the requirements for naturalization.
Professional Support to Get Your Portugal Investment Visa
The Portugal citizenship by investment program is an extremely popular option for people looking to make Portugal their home.
However, due to the large investment required and the somewhat delicate application process for the Portugal investment visa, it can be overwhelming to take on without experience.
We built PDC to give you every expert you need to make your application perfect. This puts you on a certain path to Portuguese citizenship. We’re offering free consultation calls to look over the exact details of your case.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Who qualifies for a Golden Visa in Portugal?
Non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens with a clean criminal record who make qualifying investments, meet stay requirements, and complete the application process.
How to get Portuguese citizenship through investment?
Invest through the Portugal Golden Visa program, maintain residency for five years, and meet citizenship requirements like Portuguese language proficiency.
What is the minimum investment for Portugal citizenship?
The minimum qualifying investment is €250,000 for cultural preservation, with other options requiring €500,000 or more.
How much do I need to invest in Portugal to get residency?
Residency requires a minimum investment of €250,000 in qualifying options, with higher thresholds for other categories.
How much does a Golden Visa cost in Portugal?
Government fees range from €5,000 to €7,500 per applicant, excluding additional legal, administrative, and investment costs.
Is the Portugal Golden Visa ending?
No, the Golden Visa in Portugal is not suspended. Though in 2023 the government did announce the program would end, the parliament opted to simply restructure it.
How much do you have to spend on a property in Portugal to get a Golden Visa?
Property investment no longer qualifies for the Golden Visa due to recent legislative changes.
Does buying a house in Portugal give you residency?
No, purchasing property no longer qualifies for residency under the Golden Visa program, but other visas may apply.
Can I live in Portugal without a Golden Visa?
Yes, alternative visas like the D7 Visa for passive income or the Digital Nomad Visa can provide residency options.
Which Golden Visa is better, Spain or Portugal?
Portugal offers a faster pathway to citizenship after five years and has lower minimum investment thresholds compared to Spain.
What are the pitfalls of Portugal Golden Visa?
Potential pitfalls include legislative changes, bureaucratic delays, and ongoing costs associated with maintaining residency and investments.
What properties qualify for the Golden Visa Portugal?
As of 2023, properties no longer qualify for the Portugal Golden Visa program as an investment option, but previous investments may still be grandfathered in.
This page was last updated with help by Marco Permunian
Contact Us
There are different ancestral generations that make it possible to qualify for Portuguese citizenship by descent. Not sure if you qualify? Contact us at (213) 654-2133 to help confirm your eligibility free of charge.
