Launched in 2012, the Portugal Golden Visa has drawn investors from around the world with its flexible benefits, including very low stay requirements and a path to permanent residence and, later, citizenship through naturalisation. Today, investors can qualify from EUR 200,000 through support for Portugal's arts and cultural heritage, or through business, fund and research investments.
Portugal is a beautiful country in southwestern Europe, loved for its cobbled streets, colourful culture and golden beaches, and famous worldwide for its landscapes and its Port wine.
Portugal sits on the western edge of the Iberian Peninsula, bordered by Spain and the North Atlantic Ocean, and covers about 92,000 square kilometres. Its landscapes range from beaches and rugged cliffs to rolling hills and fertile vineyards.
Portugal's culture has been shaped by its long history as a seafaring nation, with influences from the Celts, Romans and Moors, and explorers such as Vasco da Gama. Today it also has a thriving contemporary art scene, a celebrated food culture and a lively nightlife. The Portuguese are said to know a different way of cooking codfish for every day of the year.
The capital is Lisbon. The country is home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the historic centre of Porto, the Douro Valley wine region and the cultural landscape of Sintra. The Douro is one of the oldest demarcated wine regions in the world.
Portugal is a high-income country with a diverse economy. Its leading sectors include tourism, textiles, wine and renewable energy. The currency is the Euro (EUR).
Portugal is a member of the United Nations, the European Union, NATO, the Schengen Area and the Community of Portuguese Language Countries, and has a stable, democratic political system.
Investing in a second residency can offer various benefits, including better global mobility, access to education and healthcare, retirement planning, a pathway to citizenship and a Plan B for the family.
Travel without a visa across Europe's Schengen Area.
Your family gains access to Portugal's primary healthcare and education systems.
Benefit from an attractive tax system.
Apply for permanent residence after five years, and for citizenship through naturalisation after ten years of legal residence.
Golden Visa holders and their families have the right to live, work and study in Portugal.
Portugal does not restrict dual citizenship, so you can keep your current nationality.
As well as making a qualifying investment, every main applicant must meet the conditions below.
A transfer of EUR 250,000 to support artistic production or the recovery and maintenance of Portugal's national cultural heritage, reduced by 20% to EUR 200,000 in low-density areas.
Units in Portuguese investment funds that don't invest in real estate, with a maturity of at least five years and at least 60% invested in companies based in Portugal.
Setting up or adding capital to a company based in Portugal, creating five permanent jobs, or keeping at least ten jobs (five permanent) for at least three years.
A transfer to research activities by public or private scientific institutions in Portugal's national scientific system, reduced to EUR 400,000 in low-density areas.
Creating at least ten jobs in Portugal, or eight in a low-density area.
The application process for Portugal residency by investment is straightforward, and it typically takes 12 to 16 months from start to residence permit. The process can be divided into the following stages.
The Golden Visa (Residence Permit for Investment Activity) has been in force since 8 October 2012 and is set out in Portugal's Foreigners Act. Since the 2023 reform, investments may not be directed, directly or indirectly, into real estate.
It is a straightforward route for non-EU citizens to gain Portuguese residency with very low stay requirements: at least 7 days in the first year and 14 days in each year after. You and your dependants qualify by making an eligible investment, starting at EUR 200,000 for arts and cultural heritage in a low-density area.
No. Since the 2023 reform, real estate purchases no longer qualify, and investments may not be directed into real estate directly or indirectly.
Yes. You can create at least ten jobs, or eight in a low-density area, or invest EUR 500,000 in a Portuguese company while creating five permanent jobs.
Your spouse, children under 18, unmarried dependent children aged 18 to 25 who are studying, dependent parents of you or your spouse, and siblings under 18 in your legal care. Family applications can be submitted together with yours.
Portugal has no citizenship by investment programme. Under the Nationality Law as amended in May 2026, you can apply for citizenship through naturalisation after ten years of legal residence (seven for nationals of Portuguese-speaking countries and EU citizens). You must also pass tests on the Portuguese language, culture, history and national symbols.
For permanent residency, you need to pass a basic A2 Portuguese exam (CIPLE). The exam can be adapted for children under ten, and children aged ten to eighteen who attend a Portuguese school or hold a proficiency declaration are exempt. For citizenship, you need sufficient knowledge of the Portuguese language and culture, its history and its national symbols.
A thirty-minute consultation with our advisory team will tell you whether Portugal is the right programme for you, and if it is not, which of our other programmes is.