Portugal Golden Visa
Golden Residence Permit Program for living by the ocean and travelling across Europe visa-free
€250,000+
12+ months
5 years
Portugal started issuing residence permits by investment in 2012. The Golden Visa Program is popular among investors: over 32,000 applicants and their family members have obtained residency in Portugal since its launch.
Investors choose between the five options: supporting arts and cultural heritage, financing research activities, purchasing investment fund units, opening a company or investing in an existing business. Applicants who buy investment fund units can return the money in 5—10 years by selling the asset.
If the investor and their family members remain Portuguese residents for 5 years, they can apply for permanent residence or citizenship. At the same time, they don’t have to live in Portugal. Golden Visas holders maintain residence status by spending seven days a year in the country.
7 benefits of the Portugal Golden Visa
1
Visa-free travel to the Schengen countries
Portuguese residents visit the Schengen Area without a visa and spend up to 90 days out of 180 there.
Portuguese residents visit the Schengen Area without a visa and spend up to 90 days out of 180 there.
2
Creating a "safe haven"
The Golden Visa provides the holder with the right to enter Portugal at any time, even when the country’s borders are closed. Residents can stay in the country without time limits. At the same time, living in Portugal is a right, not an obligation: investors must spend only 7 days every year in the country.
The Golden Visa provides the holder with the right to enter Portugal at any time, even when the country’s borders are closed. Residents can stay in the country without time limits. At the same time, living in Portugal is a right, not an obligation: investors must spend only 7 days every year in the country.
3
Moving to Portugal
Portugal is a developed European country with a warm climate, picturesque landscapes and clean beaches. Additionally, the cost of living is affordable there, and the level of safety is high.
Portugal is a developed European country with a warm climate, picturesque landscapes and clean beaches. Additionally, the cost of living is affordable there, and the level of safety is high.
4
Work or business in a European country
Golden Visa holders may work in Portugal or register companies there.
Golden Visa holders may work in Portugal or register companies there.
5
Access to quality healthcare and education
Residents may turn for medical help to Portuguese clinics. Also, they may travel to other Schengen countries visa-free to get short-term treatment during the available 90 days in 180.
Children may attend schools and universities in Portugal.
Residents may turn for medical help to Portuguese clinics. Also, they may travel to other Schengen countries visa-free to get short-term treatment during the available 90 days in 180.
Children may attend schools and universities in Portugal.
6
EU citizenship in 5 years
Investors can apply for permanent residence or citizenship after five years as a resident. At the same time, they don’t have to live in the country. It is enough to meet the program terms and renew their residence permits to maintain the status.
Portuguese citizens can choose to live in any EU state and travel to 172 countries visa-free, including the USA, Canada, the UK, and Australia.
Investors can apply for permanent residence or citizenship after five years as a resident. At the same time, they don’t have to live in the country. It is enough to meet the program terms and renew their residence permits to maintain the status.
Portuguese citizens can choose to live in any EU state and travel to 172 countries visa-free, including the USA, Canada, the UK, and Australia.
7
Citizenship for newborn children
A child gets citizenship if born in Portugal to foreigners who have obtained a residence permit at least one year prior to the child’s birth.
A child gets citizenship if born in Portugal to foreigners who have obtained a residence permit at least one year prior to the child’s birth.
Practical guide to obtaining a Portugal Golden Visa
Step-by-step procedure
Requirements for applicants
Required documents
Frequently asked questions and answers
PDF, 36 pages, 12 MB
Who can get a Portugal Golden Visa
Investment options for the Portugal Golden Visa
Portugal offers five investment options. The minimum investment threshold is €250,000: it is in action under the supporting arts option. The most popular choice is purchasing investment fund units for a minimum of €500,000.
The two real estate investment options were abolished on October 2nd, 2023. One can no longer get a Portugal Golden Visa based on the property purchase.
Purchase of investment fund units — €500,000+
An investment fund is a financial institution that aims to attract and increase capital. The fund raises money and invests in selected assets: commercial real estate, Portuguese companies, industrial facilities or the European stock market.
The minimum fund investment is €500,000. The holding period is at least 5 years. However, the money is usually returned in 6—10 years. The fund distributes the earned profit among investors withdrawing a commission.
Supporting arts and restoring cultural heritage — €250,000+
Investments in research activities — €500,000+
Business investments — €500,000+
With the creation of at least 5 jobs
Opening a company
Creation of at least 10 jobs
Individual cost calculation for the Portugal Golden Visa
Get an individual calculation for your family with all associated costs and government fees
We will send you a quote by email within 1 hour.
Differences between the Golden Visa and other residence permit types
Required documents for obtaining a Portugal Golden Visa
To apply for the Portugal investment visa, one must provide the following:
a copy of a passport;
a birth certificate, if applicable;
a marriage certificate, if applicable;
evidence and entry and legal stay in Portugal;
a tax identification number of the country of residence;
a certificate of no criminal record;
a document authorising AIMA to access criminal records in Portugal;
a sworn statement declaring compliance with the minimum quantitative and temporal requirements of the investment activity;
evidence of proper tax filing;
evidence of an international and effective transfer of funds for investing;
health insurance.
The applicant must also provide documents proving the investment was made. For instance, a company registration certificate or a declaration issued by a scientific research institution. The required documents depend on the chosen option.
All documents must be translated into Portuguese.
Step-by-step procedure for obtaining the Portugal Golden Visa
Preliminary Due Diligence
A certified Compliance Anti Money Laundering Officer checks the information on the investor against international databases. Our check helps to decrease the refusal risk to 1%.
The preliminary Due Diligence is obligatory as we don’t sign a contract with an investor without it. If we’ve discovered a risk of refusal, we offer a suitable solution: add more documents or choose another investment program.
Pass a quick test and learn the nuances that can prevent you from obtaining a residence permit.
Obtainment of a tax number
Applicants are issued a unique nine-digit number, Número de Identificação Fiscal (NIF). The NIF is required to open a bank account in Portugal, buy or rent real estate, register a business, and in many other cases.
Opening of an account in a Portuguese bank
Investment under the Portugal Golden Visa Program must be made from the applicant’s account in a Portuguese bank.
We help open an account and activate it. When everything is ready, the applicant transfers the money required for investment.
Investment
Depending on the option the applicant chooses, they purchase investment fund units, create a company and the required jobs or make the investment directed at supporting arts or science.
The lawyers collect all the supporting documents to prove the investment made.
Preparation of documents and application
Immigrant Invest lawyers provide the investor with an individual list of documents required to apply for a residence permit. They also fill out government forms and help translate and notarise documents. The process takes up to two weeks.
E-copies of the documents are sent for consideration to the AIMA, Agency for Integration, Migrations and Asylum of Portugal. There, the application is considered for 4—5 months.
Submission of biometrics
The investor and their family need to come to Portugal to submit original documents and fingerprints for residence permit cards. The appointment for submitting biometrics must be booked in advance in the electronic register.
Approval and acquisition of the residence permit cards
AIMA checks the investors’ documents for up to eight months from submitting the original documents and biometric data.
After approval, the investor pays the fee for the residence permit cards. They are prepared within two weeks and issued personally to the investor or their lawyer by proxy, who then sends the documents to the investor.
Renewal of the residence permit
The investor and their family members must spend at least seven days a year in Portugal to maintain residency. The residence permit has to be renewed every two years.
The renewal procedure is similar to the initial application: one needs to collect the same documents and submit them online, pass fingerprinting, provide the original documents, and obtain new residence permit cards.
Our clients’ reviews
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Case studies
Golden Visa and Immigrant Invest stay with you
Portuguese residents regularly renew their ID cards. Other needs may also arise over time, such as: getting a residence permit for a newborn child or a new spouse, preparing documents for citizenship or becoming a tax resident. See how we continue to help our clients.
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