Summary
Investment in Portugal’s cultural projects that allow applicants to qualify for the Golden Visa has grown sharply over the past two years.
Eymi Castro, an immigration expert with Immigrant Invest, explained what is behind the growing popularity of the option.
Culture support option: development dynamics in 2020 to 2025
Investment in cultural projects to obtain residence in Portugal reached €46.8 million in 2025[1]. This is 298% more than in 2024, when the option attracted €11.7 million.
According to the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport of Portugal, this is the best result since the option was launched in 2020. The money goes towards restoring and preserving the country’s cultural heritage.
Fourfold increase in the number of applications
In 2025, 293 applications for residence in Portugal were processed on the basis of a transfer of funds in support of cultural projects. In 2024, there were only 50 such applications.
Among the main applicants were citizens of the USA, China, India, the UK, Pakistan and Turkey.
Which cultural projects attracted the most investment
In total, 41 cultural projects approved under the residence by investment programme were funded. The largest among them were:
- creation of the Toy Museum in Caramulo — €8.2 million;
- restoration of architectural heritage in Estremoz — €4.2 million;
- restoration of the Azurara Palace — €4 million.
All projects that need financial support are managed by funds. The list of funds is approved by the Government of Portugal.
Eymi Castro,
Investment Migration Expert
In April 2026, the Office for Strategy, Planning and Evaluation in the field of culture published a list of 29 funds through which investors can invest in projects and obtain residence in Portugal.
5 available investment options to obtain residence in Portugal
After the residence programme reform in 2023, Portugal kept 5 investment options, including:
- Support culture — from €250,000.
- Purchase of units in government funds — from €500,000.
- Investment in scientific projects — from €250,000.
- Investment in business — from €250,000.
- Creation of at least 10 jobs.
Together with the investor, a spouse, children and parents can obtain residence in Portugal. Portuguese residents may visit 29 Schengen countries without visas and stay there for up to 90 days out of 180.
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