The Golden Visa, considered the first step towards citizenship or a permanent residency permit in Portugal, allows foreigners to legalize their status for two years in exchange for investing in the country's economy. The program has been in effect since 2012. Participants can obtain a residence permit by:
- creating a company with 10 permanent jobs;
- donating from €500,000 to support scientific research;
- donating from €250,000 to support culture and the arts;
- investing from €500,000 in investment fund shares;
- investing from €500,000 in starting a new company or supporting an existing one, creating and/or preserving permanent jobs.
For areas with low population density, the minimum investment threshold under charity programs and the job creation requirements are reduced by 20%. Investments in funds can be returned no earlier than after 5 years.
Getting permanent residence in Portugal is possible after 5 years of holding a residence permit. The same applies to citizenship. Investors are not required to reside in the country continuously to be eligible for naturalization. It is enough to renew the residence card every two years and spend at least seven days in Portugal during the first year and 14 days in each subsequent year.
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What is the Gold visa in Portugal
The Golden Visa is a government program that grants a residence permit in exchange for investments in the country's economy. It was launched in 2012 to attract foreign capital and stimulate various sectors, including culture and science. Since its launch, over 32,000 people have legalized their status through the program.
Differences between the golden visa and other residence permit categories
| Investment residence permit | Other residence permit categories |
|---|---|
| Residency requirements | 7–14 days per year |
| Requirement to live permanently to obtain a passport | No |
| Requirement to own or rent housing | No |
Requirements to get a golden visa in Portugal
The grounds for granting an investment residence permit include:
- Registration of a new company and creation of at least 10 jobs (from 8 in areas with low population density).
- A donation of at least €500,000 to support scientific research done by public or private institutions integrated into the national scientific and technological system (from €400,000 in low-density areas).
- A donation of at least €250,000 to support artistic production or the restoration and maintenance of national cultural heritage (from €200,000 in low-density areas). This can be done through public administration bodies, public institutions, public enterprise sector entities, government funds, private foundations recognized as public benefit organizations, intermunicipal cooperation bodies, business entities, municipal associations, and public cultural associations.
- Acquisition of shares worth at least €500,000 in investment funds not related to property in Portugal and created under local legislation. At the time of investment, the maturity period of the securities must be at least five years. At least 60% of the investments must be directed to commercial companies based in Portugal.
- An investment of at least €500,000 in creating a commercial company with a registered office in Portugal and five permanent jobs. Alternatively, investing in the capital of an existing company with the creation of five permanent jobs or maintaining at least ten jobs, five of which are permanent, for at least three years.
The primary applicant must meet the following requirements:
- be of legal age;
- have no criminal record;
- have legal income;
- have the financial means to meet the investment requirements;
- have no outstanding debts in Portugal;
- have valid health insurance.
The following family members may apply for residency along with the investor:
- spouse;
- minor children;
- children aged 18–26 who live with the investor, depend financially on them, and are enrolled in higher education;
- financially dependent parents.
List of documents required to apply for a golden visa in Portugal
The standard package includes the following documents:
- passport or other valid travel document;
- proof of legal entry and residence in Portugal;
- SNS number or internationally recognized health insurance valid for the requested residence permit period or with the possibility of automatic renewal;
- a criminal record certificate issued no more than three months before submitting the application and certified by a diplomatic or consular representative of Portugal, from the applicant's country of origin or from countries where the applicant has resided for more than one year;
- taxpayer identification number or its equivalent from the country of origin, residence, or tax residency;
- filled out application form;
- statement of intent to comply with the minimum financial and time requirements (five years) for investment activity in Portugal;
- certificate of no outstanding debts, issued no more than 45 days before applying;
- receipt of payment of the application processing fee;
- proof of compliance with the investment conditions.
How to get a golden visa in Portugal
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| Obtaining a tax number and opening a bank account | The applicant must obtain an NIF—a 9-digit tax identification number—and open a bank account to fulfill the investment conditions. The NIF is also used for transactions with apartments/houses in Portugal, business registration, and other legal procedures. After opening the account, the applicant must transfer the required investment amount. |
| Fulfilling the investment conditions | The applicant invests funds according to the program's selected option. Afterward, they must collect documents confirming the investment. |
| Preparation and submission of documents | It is necessary to collect, translate, and notarize the required documents and fill out official forms. These tasks can be handled by experienced lawyers. The prepared documents are submitted to the Agency for Integration, Migration, and Asylum. |
| Providing biometric data | The main applicant and family members applying for residency must travel to Portugal to provide biometric data and present the original documents. An appointment must be made in advance via the electronic registry. |
| Receiving the residence card | After the application is approved, the investor pays the fee for the residence card. Once the card is produced, it is personally delivered to the applicant or their authorized representative. |
Advantages of Investment fund golden visa in Portugal
Visa-free travel in the Schengen Area.
Residents can freely travel to Schengen countries visa-free and stay there for up to 90 days out of every 180 days. This significantly simplifies business trips, tourism, and visits to relatives in Europe.
The right to work and do business.
With a residence permit, investors and their family members can officially work or start a business. The country offers favorable conditions for entrepreneurs, including startup support programs and access to the European market. For employees, there are many job opportunities in IT, tourism, agriculture, and services.
Opportunity to include family members in the application.
Investors can bring close relatives to the country, including spouses, children, and parents. Family members receive the same rights to live, work, study, and access healthcare. This option is especially important for those planning a long-term future in Europe.
Opportunity to obtain permanent residency and a passport.
Five years after obtaining a temporary residence permit, foreigners can apply for permanent residency in Portugal and citizenship. To obtain a passport, one must demonstrate basic knowledge of the Portuguese language. Under local law, renunciation of previous citizenship is not required. Portuguese citizenship grants visa-free access to more than 180 countries and all the rights of an EU citizen.
Access to healthcare.
Residents can use the public healthcare system, which provides high-quality medical services at affordable prices or free of charge. The country has a well-developed network of clinics and hospitals, and the service level meets high European standards. In the Euro Health Consumer Index 2025, Portugal ranks 13th.
Quality education.
Children and adults with Portuguese residence permits can study in public and private educational institutions. Public schools are free, and prestigious universities, including the University of Porto and the University of Lisbon, offer a wide range of programs in English. Portugal is part of the Bologna education system, allowing students to participate in international exchanges and receive diplomas recognized throughout Europe.
Expenses and timelines for obtaining a Gold visa in Portugal for investment
The processing of the application and verification of all documents for the residence permit takes up to eight months. After payment of the fee, the residence card is produced within two weeks. In most cases, the entire process, including obtaining a tax number, opening a bank account, and fulfilling the investment conditions, takes around 12 months.
Expense breakdown when purchasing investment fund shares
| Expense item | Amount or rate |
|---|---|
| Cost of shares | From €500,000 |
| Purchase commission | Up to 7.5% |
| Annual management fee | 0.5–3% |
| Capital gains tax for non-tax residents | 0% |
| Capital gains tax for tax residents | 14% |
| Health insurance policy | From €400 per person |
| Application processing fee | €605 per person |
| Residence card issuance fee | €6,045 per person |
