Portugal's Golden Visa in 2025 — The Essential Guide to Program Updates
What is the Golden Visa?
The Portugal Golden Residence Permit Program (commonly known as the Portugal Golden Visa Program) is a five-year residence by investment program for non-EU nationals. The residence permit gives the right to live, work, and study in Portugal and allows free circulation in Europe’s Schengen Area. Furthermore, the program only requires an average of seven days per year stay in Portugal over this period, which can also count towards citizenship eligibility after five years.
Golden Visa Portugal — Key benefits
The Golden Visa program provides several benefits:
- Residency rights: Investors and their families gain the right to live, work and study in Portugal, enjoying access to high-quality healthcare and education.
- Visa-Free Travel: Enjoy the privilege of travel in the Schengen Area, allowing for easy movement across 26 European countries, whether for business or leisure.
- Path to citizenship: Five years later, you can qualify for Portuguese citizenship or permanent residency, providing an EU passport with the right to live, work, and study anywhere within the European Union.
- Minimal physical stay requirements (around 7 days per year): This is an advantage compared to other countries, especially if you cannot stay in the country full-time
Portugal Golden Visa requirements
To be considered for the Portugal Golden Visa program, there are some requirements you need to fulfil:
- Have a clean criminal record (consult a lawyer if there are concerns).
- Be a non-EU, non-Swiss, and non-EEA national.
- Make a minimum investment of €250,000 in various eligible routes.
- Spend about 7 days in Portugal each year, ensuring at least 14 days every two years with your residence card.
Portugal Golden Visa — main changes in 2024
There were some vital changes in this program in 2024.
The most recent revision of the Nationality Law provides that the period between submitting an application and issuing a temporary residency permit will count towards the necessary number of years for EU citizenship. Naturally, this amendment indicates that the speed of citizenship application is directly proportional to the speed of EU citizenship.
In addition, the Portugal Golden Visa program has redefined the investment requirements and eliminated the purchase of real estate and capital deposits for investment purposes.
These changes were made to:
- improve the efficiency of the permit application process;
- exclude investments of doubtful origin;
- recognise and compensate for the time an individual spends on passing through administrative blocs, based on stipulated years, making citizenship a more dignified and straightforward path.
Investment options with Portugal Golden Visa
Are you wondering where to invest with the Golden Visa? You've got plenty of choices. Let's figure out which one suits you best.
- Fund subscription: Invest a minimum of €500,000 in a qualified investment fund or a venture capital fund.
- Donations to arts: Make a minimum investment of €250,000, to support art.
- Donations to research activities: Contribute €500,000 for scientific and technological research.
- Job creation: Establish a business that creates and maintains at least 10 jobs.
- Existing or new companies: Invest a minimum of €500,000 in the share capital of an existing Portuguese company or establish a new one with at least 5 permanent employees.
Golden Visa application process
Before getting the Golden Visa in Portugal, you must go through a thorough process step-by-step.
Begin by selecting your investment and then ensure you gather all the necessary documentation, including your tax ID (NIF). Additionally, it's crucial to open a bank account. Consider engaging a lawyer to provide assistance and guidance throughout the entire process.
After submitting your application, a first visit to Portugal is required for biometric data collection. If successful, you will receive your Golden Visa and will be able to start taking advantage of all its benefits.
