Portugal Golden Visa

The Portugal Golden Visa is a residence by investment program. It enables non-EU investors who make a qualifying investment to live, work and study in Portugal.

Yes, the following relatives may be included in the application:

• Spouse, including a de factor partner;
• Minor or incapable children into the care of one of the spouses, including legally adopted children;
• Children aged 18 and over, who are financially dependent of one of the spouses, provided they are unmarried and studying in a recognized teaching establishment;
• Parents of the main applicant or of the spouse aged 65 and above, or under 65 provided they are financially dependent of one of the spouses;
• Minor siblings under the custody of one of the main applicant or his/her spouse. 

All dependents should maintain the initial application requirements (including as to dependency) to renew their residence permits under the Golden Visa.

A successful applicant is granted a temporary residence permit in Portugal for an initial period of two years, which is then renewable for subsequent two-year periods as long as the minimum residency stay is respected, and the investment and other initial requirements are maintained.

No, the language requirement will only apply to the Permanent Residency and Citizenship application.

Yes, the applicant must stay in Portugal a minimum average of seven days per year (or 14 days for each two-year period). The physical residency requirement also applies to each dependent individually. Note that in the first year at least 7 days is required.

• Option 1: EUR 500,000 investment into qualifying Portuguese Investment Funds

• Must be held for at least 5 years after receiving the Residence Permit
• Minimum 60% of the investments realized in commercial companies headquartered in Portugal

Option 2:  EUR 250,000 Donation by way of capital transfer which is applied in investment or support to artistic production, recovery or maintenance of the national cultural heritage, through qualified public entities or private foundations with public utility status.

In order to renew the Golden Visa, the investor and dependents must continue to fulfil the initial conditions when the visa was issued, including maintaining the qualifying investment, complying with the physical residency requirement and maintaining all initial requirements. (Any new requirements or changes that may be required under the new law – pending regulations)

Yes, holders of a Portugal Golden visa are allowed to work.

The visa holder can travel into the Schengen area up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

Yes, all applicants need to visit Portugal upon pre-approval in order to provide biometrics. All applicants are further required to visit Portugal a minimum average of seven days per year (or 14 days for each two-year period).

For a minimum of 5 years after obtaining the residency permit, or as long as the investor wants to keep the residence permit or until he/she obtains the Portuguese Permanent Residency or Citizenship. 

Yes, the investor is free to make additional investments or other acquisitions.

Applications for a permanent residence permit must be submitted to Portugal’s border agency (now known as Agency for Integration, Migration, and Asylum (AIMA)), and under the Foreigners’ Law, permanent residency shall be granted to someone who cumulatively:

• Has held a temporary residence permit (including a Golden Visa) for at least 5 years and has met the minimum residency requirements;
• During the last five years has not been convicted of a crime punishable by a prison sentence of more than one year;
• Has sufficient means to support themselves and his/her dependents;
• Has a place of abode in Portugal; 
• Has proof of having knowledge of “basic Portuguese” language.

Portuguese citizenship may be acquired by someone who applies for naturalization and cumulatively:

• Has been a legal resident of Portugal for at least five years (amended by law 2/2018) by meeting the minimum stay requirements of a minimum average of seven days per year (or 14 days for each two-year period);
• Has sufficient knowledge of the Portuguese language;
• Has not been convicted of a crime punishable by a prison sentence of more than three years under Portuguese law.

Yes, Portugal allow dual citizenship.