Golden Visa in Portugal
What is a Golden Visa in Portugal?
Portugal's Golden Visa is a residency-by-investment program that allows non-European Union citizens to obtain a special residence permit in exchange for a 5-year investment in Portugal. The program was introduced in 2012 and has been particularly attractive to investors and wealthy individuals from outside the EU.
The investments can be made in various ways, such as:
Capital Transfer: Making a capital investment into the country, such as a bank deposit or investment in specific approved investment funds or Portuguese companies. The required amount can vary but usually starts from €1 million.
Job Creation: Creating a certain number of jobs within the country, usually a minimum of 10.
Investment in Scientific or Technological Research: Contributing a certain amount, typically €350,000 or more, to scientific or technological research conducted by accredited institutions within Portugal.
Investment in Artistic Output or National Heritage: Investing in the arts, culture, or national heritage of Portugal, usually to the tune of €250,000 or more.
The Golden Visa offers various benefits, such as:
Temporary residence permit with the possibility of applying for permanent residency after five years and citizenship after six years.
The ability to travel freely within the Schengen Area.
Family reunification, allowing family members to also benefit from the visa.
A relatively low minimum stay requirement in Portugal, often just a few days or weeks per year.
2023 Amendment to the Golden Visa
In July 2023 Portugal’s parliament approved an amendment to the Golden Visa program which means that real estate investments no longer count towards eligibility for the visa.
—> Read more about the changes to the Golden Visa
