Portugal Residency by Investment Program
Visa free Countries
29 Visa-Free Countries
Type of investment
Investment Funds, Company Investment, Job Creation, Arts & Heritage, Research Activities
Time to reside
14 days in the first 2 years and 21 days in the following 3 years
Minimum Investment
EUR 250,000
Portugal Residency Program
The government of Portugal established its Residency by Investment program, commonly known as the Golden Visa, to attract foreign capital and stimulate economic growth while offering international investors a strategic foothold in the European Union. As an EU member state and part of the Eurozone, Portugal provides investors with access to the single European market, visa-free Schengen travel, and a pathway to EU citizenship after just 5 years of continuous residence.
Residency by investment in Portugal is available through five options:
- Investment Funds
- Company Investment
- Job Creation
- Arts and Heritage Investment
- Research Activities Investment
Portugal Overview:
Population
10.2 million
Currency
Euro (€)
Capital
Lisbon
Economy
Service-driven with thriving tourism and strong industrial sectors
Language
Portuguese (with English widely spoken)
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Portugal Residency Benefits
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Portugal Residency by Investment Options
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How to Qualify for Portugal Residency (Main Applicant)
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Requirements for family inclusion:
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How to Apply to and Obtain Portugal Residency
Portugal's unique position as a Western European gateway, combined with its excellent quality of life, favorable climate, advanced healthcare and education systems, and one of Europe's most streamlined Golden Visa programs, makes it an ideal choice for investors seeking to establish or expand their European presence while maintaining flexibility in their global lifestyle.
Portugal residency obtainers are privileged to numerous benefits:
- EU Schengen Area Access: Enjoy visa-free travel across Europe's Schengen Area with full mobility rights throughout 29 Schengen member states.
- Fast Track to EU Citizenship: Eligibility to apply for Portuguese EU citizenship after just 5 years of residence, one of the fastest pathways in Europe, with the ability to retain your current citizenship through dual nationality arrangements.
- Minimal Physical Presence Required: Maintain your residency status with only 14 days of physical presence in the first 2 years and 21 days in the following 3 years, offering complete flexibility to maintain your current lifestyle and global commitments.
- Investment Exit After 5 Years: The flexibility to apply for citizenship and freely sell your investment after 5 years, recovering your capital while securing permanent EU residency rights.
- Right to Live, Work & Study: Complete freedom to reside, establish businesses, work, and access world-class education throughout Portugal and the broader EU.
- Family Inclusion: Secure residency for your entire family, including spouse, dependent children (under 18, or up to 26 if unmarried, financially dependent, and full-time students), and parents of both the main applicant and spouse under one application with no additional investment required.
- Access to Quality Services: World-class healthcare and international-standard education systems for you and your family.
- Lifestyle & Safety: High quality of life, excellent infrastructure, favorable climate, and one of Europe's safest and most peaceful environments.
- Favorable Tax Environment: Potential access to Portugal's Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) tax regime offering significant tax advantages for qualifying individuals.
Option 1: Investment Funds
Invest a minimum of €500,000 in qualifying Portuguese or EU-managed investment funds that support the Portuguese economy, innovation, or job creation.
Option 2: Company Investment
Make a qualifying capital investment in an existing or newly established Portuguese company that creates employment opportunities and contributes to the local economy.
Option 3: Job Creation
Create a minimum of 10 full-time permanent jobs.
Option 4: Arts and Heritage Investment
Invest a minimum of €250,000 in the restoration, renovation, or support of Portuguese national heritage, arts, or cultural projects.
Option 5: Research Activities Investment
Invest a minimum of €500,000 in Portuguese scientific research activities conducted by public or private institutions integrated into the national scientific and technological system.
Additional Requirements:
All applicants must demonstrate sufficient financial resources to support themselves and their family members without requiring Portuguese social assistance.
- The main applicant must be over 18 years of age.
- Be a non-EU / non-EEA / non-Swiss citizen.
- Clean criminal record with no prosecutions.
- Legal source of funds with proper documentation.
- Maintain the investment for the legally required 5-year period.
- Pass a comprehensive due diligence check.
- Health insurance policy covering the entire stay in Portugal.
- Compliance with minimum stay requirements (14 days in first 2 years, 21 days in following 3 years).
- Spouse or Partner: The legal spouse or registered partner of the main applicant who must also hold a clean criminal record and maintain valid health insurance coverage. Included at no additional investment cost.
- Dependent Children: Unmarried children under 21 are automatically included. Adult children aged 21-26 who are full-time students and financially dependent on the main applicant can also be included with valid health insurance.
- Dependent Parents: Parents of the main applicant or spouse who are financially dependent, hold clean criminal records, and maintain valid health insurance can be included in the family application. No minimum age requirement applies.
- We start by sitting down with you for a free consultation. We assess your goals, your financial situation, and confirm you're eligible for the Portugal Golden Visa program. We figure out exactly what you need and tell you the best investment route for your specific case.
- Before we apply for anything, we perform a free validation. We check all your documents, verify your ability to invest, and review your family details. We make sure you meet all the requirements and complete all preliminary checks.
- You don't worry about forms. We professionally prepare, translate, and certify every document required — personal papers, financial records, and investment documents. We ensure everything is 100% government compliant.
- We finalize your chosen investment with total legal compliance. We work with approved partners to securely execute the transaction and ensure all rules are followed.
- We submit your residency application to the Portuguese Immigration and Borders Service (SEF) and manage the entire process. We keep in constant contact with officials to track your progress and immediately handle any questions.
- You receive your Portugal Golden Visa residence permit and begin your life in Europe! We continue to support you with permit renewals and guide you on the path toward eventually gaining citizenship after 5 years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Portugal offers one of Europe's most attractive Golden Visa programs with minimal physical presence requirements (just 14 days over 2 years initially), making it ideal for global investors who want EU access without full relocation. The country provides exceptional quality of life, a favorable climate, political stability, and the fastest pathway to EU citizenship in just 5 years.
Yes, Portugal's residency by investment program allows comprehensive family inclusion, covering spouse/partner, dependent children (under 18, or up to 26 if students), and parents of both the main applicant and spouse, all under one application with no additional investment required.
Yes, but it's one of Europe's most flexible. You need only 14 days of physical presence in Portugal during the first 2-year period, and 21 days during the subsequent 3-year renewal period. This averages to just 7 days per year, allowing you to maintain your global lifestyle.
Yes, Portugal is a founding member of the Schengen Area and a full EU member state. Portuguese Golden Visa holders enjoy visa-free travel throughout all 29 Schengen countries.
Yes, after 5 years you can apply for Portuguese citizenship, and once granted, you are free to sell your investment and recover your capital while maintaining your permanent EU citizenship rights.