The Portugal Golden Residence Permit Program

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.

Benefits of a Portuguese golden visa

• Visa-free travel in Europe’s Schengen Area and the right to live, work, and study in Portugal
• Eligibility to apply for citizenship after five years as a legal resident while keeping other citizenship(s)
• Low physical presence requirement (seven days during the first year of residence and 14 days for the two subsequent years, which can count towards citizenship eligibility after five years)
• Excellent international and Portuguese schools and universities
• High quality of life, local cuisine and wines, rich culture, mild climate, and a high level of security
• International quality healthcare clinics and hospitals

Portugal golden visa requirements

Applicants can choose any one option in any one of the following categories:

Capital transfer

One of the following options:

1. EUR 500,000 for the acquisition of investment fund or venture capital fund units committed to the capitalization of companies incorporated under the Portuguese law, with a maturity of at least five years and with at least 60% of the investment portfolio in companies with a registered office in the national territory (real estate entities do not apply)
2. EUR 500,000 for research activities of public or private entities that are part of the national scientific and technological system
   • EUR 400,000 in a low population density area*
3. EUR 250,000 in support of artistic production or in the recovery or maintenance of national cultural heritage
   • EUR 200,000 in a low population density area*

Business

One of the following options:

1. Creation of a minimum of ten new jobs
   • Eight new jobs in a low population density area*
2. EUR 500,000 for the incorporation of a commercial company that is registered and headquartered in Portugal, creating a minimum of five permanent jobs for a period of three years (or for the increase of the share capital of a company already incorporated and headquartered in Portugal, creating at least five permanent jobs or maintaining at least ten jobs for three years)

*A low population density area is defined as less than 100 inhabitants per km² or with a GDP per capita below 75% of the national average.

Procedures for the Portugal golden visa

After the residence permit has been received, the client will need to provide biometric data and updated original documents at each renewal. The first permit is usually issued for one year; however, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it is now issued for two years. Thereafter, the permit may be renewable for two subsequent periods of two years.

The Portugal Golden Residence Permit Program requires the main applicant to make two trips to Portugal during the application period:

1. To choose the qualifying investment, start the legal process, and open a bank account
2. To provide the biometric data and original documents

After the residence permit has been received, the client will need to provide biometric data and updated original documents at each renewal.