Golden Visa in Portugal

The Golden Residence Permit Program in Portugal

The Portugal Golden Residence Permit Program (commonly known as the Portugal Golden Visa Program) is a five-year residency-by-investment program for third-country nationals. The residence permit gives the right to live, work and study in Portugal and allows free movement within the Schengen Area of Europe. In addition, the program only requires an average stay of seven days per year in Portugal during this period, which can also count towards citizenship eligibility after five years.

Benefits of a Portuguese Golden Visa

Visa-free travel in Europe's Schengen Area and the right to live, work and study in Portugal

Eligibility to apply for citizenship after five years as a legal resident while maintaining other citizenship(s)

Low physical presence requirement (seven days during the first year of residency and 14 days in the subsequent two years, which may count toward citizenship eligibility after five years)

Excellent international and Portuguese schools and universities

High quality of life, local cuisine and wines, rich culture, mild climate, and high level of safety

World-class health clinics and hospitals

Portugal Golden Visa Requirements

Applicants can choose any option in any of the following categories:

Capital transfer

One of the following:

-  €500,000 for the acquisition of participation units of investment funds or venture capital funds intended for the capitalization of companies incorporated in accordance with Portuguese law, with a minimum maturity of five years and with at least 60% of the investment portfolio in companies headquartered in the national territory (do not apply real estate entities)

- €500,000 for research activities of public or private entities integrated in the national scientific and technological system

- €400,000 in a sparsely populated area*

- 250 thousand euros to support artistic production or the recovery or maintenance of national cultural heritage

- €200,000 in a sparsely populated area*

Business

One of the following:

Creation of a minimum of ten new jobs

Eight new jobs in a sparsely populated area*

€500,000 for the incorporation of a commercial company registered and headquartered in Portugal, creating a minimum of five permanent jobs for a period of three years (or for the increase in the share capital of a company already incorporated and headquartered in Portugal, creating at least five permanent jobs or maintaining at least ten jobs for three years)

*An area of low population density is defined as less than 100 inhabitants per km² or with a GDP per capita of less than 75% of the national average.

Portugal Golden Visa Procedures and Deadlines

Upon receipt of the residence permit, the client must provide updated biometric data and original documents at each renewal. The first license is usually issued for one year; however, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it is now issued for two years. Subsequently, the licence may be renewable for two subsequent two-year periods.

The Portugal Golden Residence Permit Program requires the main applicant to make two trips to Portugal during the application period:

To choose the qualifying investment, start the legal process and open a bank account

Provide the biometric data and original documents

Upon receipt of the residence permit, the client must provide biometric data and updated original documents at each renewal.

The process of acquiring a Portuguese residence permit through investment takes more than 18 months.