Residency by Investment
Live, invest, and thrive in Portugal
Access to Europe
Travel freely across Schengen Zone
The Portugal Golden Visa offers individuals a strategic pathway to European residency through qualifying investments. This programme provides access to Portugal’s vibrant lifestyle, and visa-free travel across the Schengen Area. With minimal stay requirements, the Portugal Golden Visa remains one of Europe’s most attractive residency solutions. It is designed for global investors seeking long-term security, mobility, and lifestyle enhancement.
Benefits
Live and work in Portugal
Gain the right to reside in Portugal and enjoy visa-free travel across the Schengen Zone. The Golden Visa allows investors and their families to settle, study, and work in one of Europe’s most desirable destinations. Portugal offers a high standard of living, excellent healthcare, and a welcoming culture. Residency also opens doors to business and educational opportunities.
Minimal physical presence needed
Portugal’s Golden Visa requires only minimal physical presence, making it ideal for global citizens with international commitments. Applicants need to spend just seven days per year in Portugal to maintain their residency status. This flexibility allows investors to retain their global lifestyle while securing EU access. It is especially beneficial for business owners and frequent travellers.
Spouse and dependents covered
The programme allows for family reunification, enabling spouses, dependent children under the age of 26, and even parents over the age of 65 to benefit from the same residency rights. This ensures that families can relocate together and enjoy Portugal’s lifestyle and opportunities.
Tax Residency vs Legal Residency
Tax residency and legal residency are different. Holding a Golden Visa in Portugal does not automatically make you a Portuguese tax resident. Even as a legal resident, you will still pay taxes on any income generated from your investments in Portugal. To become a tax resident, you must spend more than 183 days in the country within a fiscal year.
Real estate, funds, or donation
Applicants can choose from multiple qualifying investments, including venture capital funds, or cultural donations, offering flexibility to suit different investor profiles. Each route has its own minimum threshold and benefits, allowing investors to align their choice with personal and financial goals. Real estate remains popular for its tangible value, while funds offer diversification. Cultural donations support national heritage and offer a lower entry point.
Unlock European residency through Portugal’s premier investment programme.
Who is this for
The Portugal Golden Visa is ideal for global investors, entrepreneurs, and families seeking EU residency with minimal relocation requirements. It suits those looking for lifestyle, mobility, and long-term security.
Ideal for:
- High-net-worth individual
- International business owners
- Families seeking EU education access
- Retirees seeking lifestyle and tax benefits
Why this country
Why Portugal
Portugal offers a unique blend of lifestyle, investment opportunity, and mobility. Its Golden Visa programme remains one of the most flexible and rewarding in Europe.
- Safe, stable EU country
- High quality of life and healthcare
- Attractive tax incentives
- Strategic location with global connectivity
- Welcoming culture and climate
Key Contacts
Dr. Jean-Philippe Chetcuti
Dr. Antoine Saliba Haig
Magdalena Velkovska
Unlock European residency through Portugal’s premier investment programme.
Requirements
Portugal Golden Visa Regulations
The programme is governed by Portuguese immigration law and investment regulations. It allows third-country nationals to obtain residency through qualifying investments, subject to due diligence and compliance checks. Applicants must meet legal standards and maintain their investment for the required period. The framework ensures transparency and investor protection.
Who Can Apply
Applicants must be non-EU nationals, over 18, with a clean criminal record and proof of qualifying investment. Family members may be included under reunification provisions. Applicants must demonstrate financial capacity and meet integration requirements. Eligibility is assessed through documentation and background checks.
Qualifying Investment Options
Investors may choose from capital transfer, fund subscription, or cultural/artistic donations. Minimum thresholds vary depending on the route selected. Each option has specific documentation and compliance requirements. As of the end of 2023, it is no longer possible to qualify for the Portugal Golden Visa via a real-estate purchase.
1. Investment in a Fund
A minimum of €500,000 subscription is required in a qualifying Portugal Golden Visa fund option, including private equity funds and venture capital funds in various sectors.
2. Company Incorporation
One can also be eligible by creating a minimum of 10 new full-time jobs in a Portuguese business that is owned by you as the main applicant. One can also qualify if creating a minimum of eight new full-time jobs in a Portuguese business formed in a low-density area in Portugal, owned by the main applicant.
Alternatively one can invest a minimum of €500,000 in an existing Portuguese business, where the incorporated business must create a minimum of five new full-time jobs for at least three years.
3. Donation to Cultural Heritage
The Cultural Donation option requires a minimum donation of €250,000 which goes to preserving national heritage in Portugal (the minimum investment amount lowers to €200,000 in low-density areas)
Due Diligence Process
All applicants undergo thorough vetting, including source of funds verification, background checks, and compliance with Portuguese legal standards. This ensures the integrity of the programme and protects national interests. Due diligence is conducted by both legal advisors and government authorities. Applicants must provide full transparency and cooperation.
Process/Timeline
Assess goals and eligibility
We begin with a personalised consultation to understand your objectives and assess your eligibility for the Portugal Golden Visa and other similar options in Europe. Our experts provide strategic advice tailored to your profile. We explain the available investment routes and legal requirements. This step sets the foundation for a successful application.
Select and prepare investment
Our team guides you through selecting the optimal investment route and prepares all necessary documentation. We coordinate with financial institutions, legal advisors, and other institutions as needed. This ensures your investment meets programme criteria and is legally sound. The process also requires getting a Tax Number and opening a Bank Account.
File with Portuguese authorities
Once the investment is completed and personal documents are collected, the application is submitted online to AIMA (Portuguese Immigration Agency). Our team liaises with authorities to address any queries or updates. We keep you informed throughout the process.
Attend appointment in Portugal
Applicants must attend a biometrics appointment in Portugal. This includes fingerprinting and photo capture for residency card issuance. Upon approval, residency cards are issued and delivered. We assist with scheduling and travel arrangements.
FAQs
[question]What is the minimum investment for Portugal Golden Visa?[/question]
[answer]The minimum investment starts at €250,000 for cultural donations, or €500,000 for fund subscriptions, depending on the chosen route. Each option has specific eligibility and documentation requirements. Our advisors help you select the most suitable path.[/answer]
[question]Can I include my family in the application?[/question]
[answer]Yes, the Golden Visa allows for family reunification, including spouse, dependent children, and parents. All family members receive the same residency rights. This makes the programme ideal for relocating as a unit.[/answer]
[question]Do I need to live in Portugal full-time?[/question]
[answer]No, the programme requires only minimal physical presence. Applicants must spend at least 14 days during the first two years and 21 days for the subsequent three years.[/answer]
[question]Is Portuguese citizenship possible through this route?[/question]
[answer]Yes, after five years of residency, applicants may apply for citizenship, subject to language and integration requirements. In 2025, the Portuguese Parliament approved amendments to the Nationality Law that, once in force, will extend the general residence requirement for citizenship from five to ten years[/answer]
[question]How long does the process take?[/question]
[answer]The initial application and supporting documents must be submitted online to the Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo (AIMA), previously known as the Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras (SEF). AIMA is Portugal’s official immigration and border authority. Once your application is approved, you will be invited for an in-person interview.
Portugal has numerous AIMA offices, and you may schedule your appointment at any location, regardless of where your investment was made.
Based on our data, clients who applied at the start or end of 2025 are now receiving their biometric appointments for 2026, suggesting that delays are easing, although processing times can still vary and may take up to two years.
As the main applicant, you can book your AIMA appointment at the same time as your dependents. Following the in-person interview, Golden Visa residence cards are issued, typically within approximately four months.[/answer]
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