In October 2012, Portugal launched its Golden Visa program for investment activities. The Portugal Golden Visa offers all Schengen visa benefits, enabling visa-free travel across 26 Schengen countries in Europe. Holders can apply for permanent residency in the 5th year and Portuguese citizenship in the 6th year for the main applicant and all family members.
With returnable investment (plus profit), you can obtain residency and then a Portuguese passport in the shortest possible time.
Key Highlights of the Portugal Golden Visa
- Relatively affordable investment options.
- Minimum investment starting at €250,000.
- Annual return of 3.5%.
- Minimum stay: 7 days in the first year, then 14 days every subsequent 2-year period.
- Golden Visa for the entire family (spouse and dependent children).
- Path to Portuguese citizenship after 5 years.
- Visa-free access to the Schengen Area.
- Live in a safe country with affordable living costs and high quality of life.
Investment Amounts and Options
To obtain residency through the Portugal Golden Visa, applicants must meet one of the following investment options:
- €500,000 in real estate purchase or investment, or
- €350,000 in properties over 30 years old requiring renovation (investment dedicated to restoration).
- Other options under the Golden Visa program:
- €350,000 in research projects,
- €250,000 in arts, culture, or heritage projects,
- €500,000 in capital investment (equity).
Benefits of the Portugal Golden Visa
- Fast processing: Typically 6 to 12 months.
- The applicant, spouse, and all dependents gain residency and work rights in Portugal + visa-free Schengen travel.
- No nationality restrictions (all non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens eligible).
- No limits on age, education, business background, net worth, or source of funds.
- No interview required.
- No tax on foreign income.
- No language requirement (basic Portuguese A2 level required only for citizenship after 6 years).
- Very low residency requirement (just 7 days per year).
- Citizenship eligibility after 6 years.
Timeline and Steps for the Portugal Golden Visa
The first 5 stages cover the residency application; steps 6 and 7 are optional for citizenship.
Eligibility Requirements for the Portugal Golden Visa
Applicants must:
- Be non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens.
- Make a minimum €250,000 investment (various options).
- Have a clean criminal record.
- Spend minimum 7 days in Portugal in year 1, then 14 days every 2 years (residency condition).
Required Documents for Portugal Golden Visa
- Portugal Golden Visa application form.
- Copy of valid passport and travel documents.
- Property purchase deed or signed promissory contract with proof of deposit.
- Portuguese bank statement confirming fund transfer.
- Health insurance in Portugal (required only if residing in Portugal).
- Police clearance certificate from country of residence.
- Form authorizing SEF to access Portuguese criminal records.
- Declaration confirming compliance with investment requirements.
- Proof of good standing with Portuguese tax, customs, and social security authorities (issued within 45 days of online application).
- Receipt of paid application processing fee.
Government Fees for Portugal Golden Visa
| Item | Fee (EUR) |
|---|---|
| Main Applicant Processing | ~€533 |
| Per Dependent | ~€533 |
| Residency Card Issuance (per person) | ~€5,325 |
| Renewal (per person) | ~€2,663 |
Note: The Portugal Golden Visa program was significantly reformed in October 2023. Real estate investment options were removed. The only remaining pathways as of 2025 are:
- €500,000 in investment funds (SEF-approved),
- €250,000 in arts/culture/heritage,
- €500,000 in job-creating businesses (10 jobs).
The information above reflects pre-2023 rules and is outdated. For accurate 2025 guidance, consult AIMA (new agency replacing SEF) and a licensed Portuguese immigration lawyer.
At ITCiLand, we guide you through the current valid pathways with full compliance. Contact us for a free eligibility assessment.
