Portugal Golden Visa
Portugal Residency and Citizenship
Launched in 2012 to encourage investment into Portugal, the Golden Visa program has encouraged billions of Euros of investment into real estate. It's a five-year program for non-EU nationals, giving the individual the right to work, study and live in Portugal as well as permitting free movement in Europe's Schengen area. Through the Golden Visa program, thousands of families have successfully relocated to Portugal, allowing them to enjoy a high quality of life and rich culture.Portugal is the westernmost European country. Its colonies extended across Africa, Brazil, Persia, Indochina and the Malay Peninsula, creating one of the world’s most globalised and peaceful nations. Portugal is considered very safe and has a low crime rate. Although Portuguese is the official language, English is widely spoken in tourist regions.Portugal is a member of the Schengen area and began using the Euro as its currency in 2002. While Portugal is shifting towards offering business-oriented services, a third of its economy remains in manufacturing. It is the world’s largest supplier of cork and enjoys the benefits of strong tourism industry.Portugal has produced streamlined legislation to create an efficient process by which non-EU citizens may obtain a residence permit based on investment.The legislation offers three qualifying routes of committing funds to obtain residence status under the Golden Residence Permit Programme, which must be maintained for a minimum of five years.After five years as a resident, the applicant is eligible to apply for Portuguese citizenship.
About Portugal
Population
Portugal has a population of just over 10 million, over an area of 92,212 km². The European country has one of the highest life expectancy rates at 81 years old.
Currency
The euro is the official currency of Portugal. After the US dollar, the euro is the second-largest and second-most traded currency in the world.
Capital City
The capital city of Portugal is Lisbon. The capital is also Portugal's largest city with an estimated population of 504,718.
Languages
Portuguese is the official language of Portugal. Over a quarter of the population speak English (27%), followed by Spanish (10%) and French (15%) that are also spoken in Portugal.
Climate
Portugal generally enjoys 300 days of sunshine.
Hot summers and wet winters.
GDP
GDP in Portugal is expected to reach 240.00 USD Billion by the end of 2021, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the Portugal GDP is projected to trend around 260.00 USD Billion in 2022 and 280.00 USD Billion in 2023, according to our econometric models.
Benefits of Second Residency in Portugal
What does Portuguese Residency and Citizenship Offer You?
Visa-free travel
The Portuguese Golden Residence Program grants visa-free access to the 26 members of the Schengen zone.
Education
Portugal has high standards of schooling. Residency also grants access to many prestigious universities at lower EU tuition fees.
Tax
A Portugal residency investment gives you access to a favourable tax regime as a non-habitual resident (NHR).
Investment opportunities
Portugal residency investments represent an excellent opportunity for investors looking for high-quality assets. Portuguese property has attractive yields of up to 7% and 5% average capital appreciation.
Minimum stay requirements
Portugal has a low minimum stay requirement: you only need to spend a total of five weeks in the country over five years.
EU citizenship
After five years, you can apply for permanent residency (this takes 3 months) or citizenship, which is typically granted within 18 months.
How to Obtain a Golden Visa
Investment in Portuguese Funds
Applicants can qualify for the Portugal Golden Visa by investing a minimum of €500,000 in a regulated Portuguese investment fund.
These funds must be registered with the Portuguese Securities Market Commission (CMVM) and are typically focused on sectors such as technology, renewable energy, industry, and Portuguese-based startups.
This option offers a low-maintenance, diversified investment strategy, and is ideal for individuals looking to participate in the country’s economic growth without managing real estate or businesses directly.
Support for Cultural Heritage
A lower-cost entry to the Portugal Golden Visa is through a €250,000 contribution to the preservation and promotion of Portuguese cultural heritage.
Funds are directed towards projects such as restoring historic sites, supporting traditional arts, and enhancing national heritage assets.
This option is ideal for those who wish to invest in culture and legacy, while benefiting from Portugal’s residency rights and quality of life.
Create Jobs
Applicants may obtain residency by creating at least 10 full-time jobs for Portuguese citizens or legal residents through a company they establish in Portugal.
This route is particularly suited for entrepreneurs and business owners seeking to launch or expand operations in Europe.
It not only supports the local economy but also offers applicants a hands-on role in shaping their investment while gaining access to the benefits of EU residency.