Residency By Investment
Your Complete Guide To Portugal Golden Visa Residence Program Updated 2025
Overview | Country Information | Benefits | Eligibility | Book a Consultation | Faqs
The Portugal Golden Visa is one of Europe’s most sought-after residency-by-investment programs. Designed to attract global investors, the program offers a streamlined pathway to residency, visa-free travel across the Schengen Area, and a clear route to Portuguese citizenship after five years. With its robust economy, high standard of living, and favorable investment climate, Portugal stands as a premier destination for global mobility and wealth preservation.
In January 2024, Portugal’s Parliament enacted significant amendments to the Golden Visa program, reshaping the eligibility criteria and investment pathways. As of October 2023, real estate investments no longer qualify for the program, marking a shift towards alternative investment options such as venture capital funds, scientific research, and job creation
The Portugal Golden Visa, officially known as the Autorização de Residência para Atividade de Investimento (ARI), remains one of the most attractive residency-by-investment programs in Europe. Offering a streamlined application process, the recent 2024 updates ensure that the program continues to attract investors globally while contributing to Portugal’s economic development
By maintaining a minimal residency requirement of just seven days per year and providing a clear path to Portuguese citizenship after five years, the Golden Visa is a prime choice for investors seeking EU residency and eventual citizenship.
Why Choose Portugal for Residency?
Portugal combines a rich cultural heritage, a mild Mediterranean climate, and a thriving real estate market with world-class infrastructure and political stability, making it one of the top destinations for residency through investment.
By integrating competitive investment options, family-friendly policies, and a clear path to citizenship, the Portugal Golden Visa program continues to set the standard for global residency-by-investment programs.
Advantages of the Portugal Golden Visa Compared to Other Programs
Portugal’s Golden Visa stands out for its unique benefits when compared to similar programs:
- Lower Investment Threshold: Investment options start at €250,000, lower than many European residency programs.
- Minimal Residency Requirement: Spend just seven days per year in Portugal, unlike other residence programs requiring significant physical presence.
- Fast Path to Citizenship: Obtain Portuguese citizenship in as little as five years, with no need for permanent residency.
- Global Mobility: Access to the Schengen Zone offers unmatched travel convenience for business and leisure.
These features make Portugal’s Golden Visa program one of the most competitive and flexible options globally.
Why Choose Fast Passport Boutique?
At Fast Passport Boutique, we are proud to leverage years of expertise in the Portugal Golden Visa program, delivering personalized guidance to our clients at every step of portugal immigration. We understand that each investor’s situation is unique, and our team of seasoned golden via consultants in Toronto ensures a smooth, efficient process that aligns with your financial and personal goals
We specialize in offering citizenship by investment solutions through Portugal residency Program and work closely with you to determine the most suitable investment route, such as:
- Investment in venture capital funds,
- Scientific research or technological innovation,
- Job creation programs.
Our firm stands out for:
- Tailored investment strategies to maximize the long-term benefits of Portuguese residency,
- Access to exclusive investment opportunities, and
- Expertise in navigating the complexities of the updated Golden Visa legislation.
Portugal Overview
Portugal is an extremely favourable country in Europe for many who wish to settle down and live in a friendly, beautiful, relatively low-cost country which also offers the safety and hospitality of its natives to newcomers.
With the ongoing housing crisis in Portugal, the government has changed its Golden Visa Program to tackle current economic issues.
While the program isn’t closed, Portugal no longer allows applicants to make purchases for real estate and real estate-related funds as qualifying investments to get residency in Portugal. Still, certain Portuguese funds will remain a valid choice for prospective investors.
As remaining investment options are much higher in price, Fast Passport Boutique recommends looking into Portugal’s D7 Visa. It is one of the most affordable European residency programs right now, with just a minimum of €7,200 yearly passive income to qualify or enough passive income to fully support you without relying on your salary.
Discover the benefits of the Portugal D7 visa below.
Investment
Minimum investment of €500,000
Processing Time
Processing time of three to six months.
Key Benefit
Visa free travel to over 171 countries
With the real estate acquisition route closed, Fast Passport Boutique offers an exclusive option for obtaining the Portugal Golden Visa: Venture Capital Investment Fund Donation. This involves a €500,000 capital transfer, or shares acquisition in non-real estate collective investment entities, which provide a guaranteed payback and a path to citizenship
Venture Capital Investment Fund Donation
Key Benefits of the Venture Capital Route:
- Guaranteed Payback: Investors can begin receiving payback every six months starting from year six of the investment.
- Residency with Minimal Stay: Only seven days per year of residency required to maintain your permit.
- Fast Track to Citizenship: Apply for Portuguese citizenship after five years of holding your Golden Visa.
This option not only meets the updated Golden Visa requirements but also offers a flexible, low-risk investment structure that is aligned with Portugal’s growing focus on technological and scientific innovation.
Eligibility Criteria For Portugal Golden Visa
To qualify for the Portugal Golden Visa, applicants must make a qualifying investment and meet specific eligibility criteria. This includes:
- Investment fund contributions (minimum €500,000),
- Scientific research contributions (minimum €500,000),
- Job creation through business investment.
As of 2024, real estate investments are no longer eligible. However, Portugal’s Golden Visa remains a flexible and accessible pathway for non-EU investors, offering a clear route to permanent residency and eventual citizenship
Eligibility Criteria:
- Must be a non-EU/EEA national,
- Must have a clean criminal record,
- Minimum investment amount starts at €250,000 for low-density regions through cultural or scientific donation.
Required Documents for the Portugal Golden Visa
Applicants must submit the following documents to ensure a smooth application process:
- Valid Passport: Must be valid for at least one year from the date of application.
- Proof of Investment: Documentation confirming your qualifying investment.
- Clean Criminal Record: Certificate from your home country or current residence.
- Health Insurance: Proof of coverage in Portugal or the EU.
- Proof of Accommodation: Property purchase agreement or rental contract.
- Application Form: Completed and signed Golden Visa application form.
Submitting complete and accurate documentation minimizes delays and ensures a seamless application process.
Portugal Golden Visa Application Process
The application process for the Portugal Golden Visa is straightforward and efficient:
- Select Your Investment Option: Choose the investment pathway that aligns with your financial and personal objectives.
- Submit Required Documents: Prepare and submit documentation such as your passport, proof of investment, and criminal record check.
- Initial Approval: Receive your temporary residency permit upon approval, allowing you to travel and reside in Portugal.
- Final Residency Permit: Attend an appointment with SEF (Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras) in Portugal to finalize your residency permit.
- Renew Residency Permit: Renew your permit periodically, maintaining compliance with program requirements.
With fast processing times, applicants can typically secure their residency permits within 3-6 months.
Portugal Citizenship by Investment Eligibility Criteria
- Venture Capital/Private Equity Fund: €500,000
- Research Activities Donation: €500,000
- Company Creation: Either 10 employees or €500,000 + 5 employees
- Spouse
- Children under the age of 18
- Dependent adult children who are full-time students (under 26 years of age)
- Dependent parents
- Siblings under 18 years of age
- The Golden Visa is initially valid for one year, renewable after that for two-year periods (you must maintain investment for five years)
- You can apply for permanent residence or a Portuguese passport after five years of temporary residence
Get full guide about the process
Benefits of Portugal Golden Visa
Process
- Portuguese residence in 4-6 months
- Portugal allows dual citizenship. No need to renounce your current citizenship
- No long-term residency requirement (First year, seven days and 14 days for two-year periods after that)
- No interview, language skills, education or management experience is required
- Include spouse and dependent children and parents in one application
Global Mobility
- Portugal Golden visa allows you to travel visa-free within the entire Schengen Area
- Apply for Citizenship after 5 years
- Travel visa-free or visa on arrival to over 170 countries worldwide
Wealth Protection
- If you reside less than 6 months out of the year in Portugal, you are considered a non-tax resident; as a result, you will only pay taxes on income gained in Portugal
- Double tax treaties with 80 countries (ensuring that you only pay taxes in Portugal or the other countries but not in both)
- No inheritance tax in Portugal
- Benefit from a favourable tax regime for the first 10 years
Country Information
Portugal is one of Europe’s most welcoming countries for expats, offering a stable political climate, high quality of life, and access to top-tier healthcare and education systems. With a low cost of living and a safe environment, Portugal is the perfect destination for families, retirees, and investors.
Located on the Iberian Peninsula, Portugal provides visa-free access to the entire Schengen Zone, and residents can easily travel, work, and study throughout Europe. Lisbon, its vibrant capital, is renowned for its rich cultural heritage, Mediterranean climate, and excellent infrastructure
Get Your Second Passport
Portugal Golden Visa FAQs
- To qualify for the Portugal Golden Visa, you must make a minimum investment of €250,000 for cultural or scientific contributions, or €500,000 for investment in eligible funds or businesses
- Be either non-EU, non-Swiss, or non-EEA resident
- Minimum investment of €250,000
- Range of investment routes to pick
- Have a clean criminal record
- Spend a minimum of seven days in Portugal for the first year, then no less than 14 days each subsequent two-year period (this is called the stay requirement)
The NIF is your tax identification number, distributed by the Portuguese fiscal authorities, and it is used for tax purposes to carry out various transactions including opening a Portuguese bank account and buying property
To open a Portuguese bank account, Fast Passport Boutique can introduce you to a competent English-speaking banker in Portugal that can open a bank account even before you come to Portugal
With the Golden Visa program, you can secure dual citizenship. In Portugal, this is allowed and there are no additional requirements for this. However, check that dual citizenship is allowed for your country of origin.
Portugal offers a favorable Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) tax regime, which provides significant tax benefits for foreign nationals. These include tax exemptions on foreign income for up to 10 years
. However, note that the NHR regime is being phased out by 2024, with transitional provisions until 2025
There is no language requirement at the application stage. However, if you wish to apply for permanent residency or citizenship after five years, you will need to pass a basic A2-level Portuguese language test
