Golden Visa

Residencia y Ciudadanía Europea en 5 Años

Portugal’s Golden Visa, also known as the Residence Permit for Investors (ARI), remains one of the most attractive options worldwide.

Through this program, investors and their families can obtain Portuguese citizenship or permanent residency after just 5 years, enjoying all the benefits of living in the European Union.

Having a second European passport in a safe, stable country with a high quality of life provides you and your future generations with greater security, international mobility, and financial diversification opportunities—essential to face the challenges of an increasingly uncertain world.

The Golden Visa allows foreign nationals to obtain residency—and eventually EU citizenship—through investment.

Today, Portugal’s Golden Visa program mainly focuses on investments in qualified Portuguese funds, offering a simpler, more efficient option aligned with sustainable investment principles.

With this program, you can enjoy free movement throughout the European Schengen area by meeting a minimum stay requirement of just 14 days every two years.

A flexible and accessible way to obtain European residency and open new doors for you and your family.

Portugal’s Golden Visa program was launched in October 2012 and has since become one of the most popular residency-by-investment options in Europe. To date, over 13,000 investors and their families have applied for this permit, generating a cumulative investment exceeding 8 billion euros in Portugal.

The main applicants for this program come from China, the United States, Brazil, Turkey, and South Africa, with U.S. citizens currently leading the number of applications.

One of the key advantages of Portugal’s Golden Visa is that after just five years, beneficiaries can apply for Portuguese citizenship or permanent residency. This is one of the shortest timeframes among residency-by-investment programs worldwide.

The required residency period starts counting from the moment the application is submitted, meaning the eligibility period for citizenship progresses even while your application is being processed.

Additionally, permanent relocation to Portugal is not mandatory. To maintain the residency permit, you only need to fulfill a minimum stay requirement of 14 days every two years after obtaining the residence card.

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Benefits and Requirements of the Portugal Golden Visa

The Portugal Golden Visa program is one of the most attractive options for obtaining European residency through investment. Since its launch in 2012, it has attracted thousands of international investors—particularly from the United States, China, Brazil, Turkey, and South Africa—generating over €8 billion in investments in Portugal.

Main Benefits

Exceptional Quality of Life

Portugal offers a safe environment, a mild climate with over 300 days of sunshine per year, and an affordable cost of living.
It is renowned for its vibrant culture, world-class cuisine, and welcoming population.
The country features modern infrastructure and excellent air and land connectivity.
Portugal is one of the top destinations for residence or retirement, with high-quality healthcare and education systems.

Freedom of Movement

Visa-free access to the Schengen Area, allowing travel across 29 European countries.
Golden Visa holders and their families may live, study, or work in Portugal if they choose.
Portugal allows dual citizenship and offers one of the world’s most powerful passports, with visa-free entry to 191 countries.

Flexible Residency Requirements

Only 7 to 14 days of stay every two years are required to maintain residency.
Permanent relocation is not mandatory.

Family Inclusion
The program allows inclusion of:

Spouse or stable partner.
Children under 18, or over 18 if dependent and students.
Dependent parents of the applicant.
Unmarried partners with at least two years of proven cohabitation.
Full recognition of LGBT+ family members.

Secure Investment Opportunity

Highlight: Investment in qualified Portuguese funds, an efficient and tax-friendly route.
Portugal offers economic stability, a growing real estate market, and strong legal protections.
The Golden Visa provides a robust Plan B for asset diversification in a secure environment.

Tax Advantages

Access to special tax regimes such as the new IFICI+ for new tax residents.
Exemptions on inheritance and gift taxes for direct family members.
Favorable tax treatment for foreign income and cryptocurrency operations.
Only those residing more than 183 days per year pay taxes in Portugal on worldwide income.

General Requirements

To qualify for the Portugal Golden Visa, applicants must meet the following criteria:

Nationality: Applicants must be citizens of non-EU, non-EEA, and non-Swiss countries (including British citizens post-Brexit).
Age: The main applicant must be at least 18 years old.
Criminal Record: Ideally, applicants have no criminal records in their current country of residence or in Portugal.
Bank Account: Opening a Portuguese bank account is required after obtaining a Portuguese tax identification number (NIF).
Documentation: All non-Portuguese documents must be legalized with an apostille and translated into Portuguese.
Investment Capital: Funds must originate from outside Portugal, with proof of legal source.
Investment Duration: The investment must be maintained for at least five years.
Health Coverage: Proof of health insurance coverage is required.
Good Standing: Applicants must demonstrate good standing with Portuguese tax and social security authorities.

Investment Options

Among the available options, investment in qualified Portuguese funds stands out as a direct and efficient pathway to residency.
This investment can be made personally or through a sole proprietorship registered in Portugal.
Upon completion, a bank statement confirming the transfer of the minimum investment amount and a declaration from the fund manager confirming successful investment completion are required.

2025 Update

The Portuguese government confirms the Golden Visa program remains active and strengthened. Measures are underway to accelerate approval times and introduce new attractive tax benefits for international investors

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