How Much Does the Portugal Golden Visa Cost? A Full Breakdown

Portugal's Golden Visa program requires a standard minimum investment of €250,000 and €500,000, depending on your chosen route. However, there are other costs to consider.

So, how much does a Portugal Golden Visa cost when you account for these additional expenses?

This article is part of our Complete Guide to the Portugal Golden Visa. Here, we do a deep dive into all related expenses and costs associated with the Portugal Golden Visa.

Read on for a clear breakdown of all the program's costs and fees.

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What is the Portugal Golden Visa Program?

The Portugal Golden Visa is a residency by investment program. It allows non-EU citizens a straightforward route to becoming residents by making a qualifying investment in Portugal.

The program offers several benefits, including the right to live, work and study in Portugal. It also provides a pathway to EU citizenship. After five years, investors can apply for Portuguese citizenship and a passport.

Related article: Portugal Golden Visa Benefits for Investors.

Overview of Portugal Golden Visa Fees

The total cost of the Portugal Golden Visa includes several types of fees. You can find a full list of the Portugal Golden Visa fees by visiting the AIMA website.

Here is a snapshot of the main types of fees:

  • Government fees: these are the fees for processing your application, issuing residency cards and renewing your golden visa
  • Investment costs: this is the minimum amount required to make a qualifying investment. This amount can vary depending on your chosen investment route
  • Additional costs: these include legal fees, translating documents if needed and health insurance

It’s essential to understand each of these. This will help you better plan your budget and avoid any surprise costs during the process. Below, we look at each of these fees and costs in more detail.

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Portugal Golden Visa Application Fees

The application fees are one of the first costs you will face in the Portugal Golden Visa process. These are also known as the government fees.

Paying online reduces government fees for the Portugal Golden Visa by 25%. As this is generally the case, all amounts below represent the reduced rate.

Some of the key application fees for the Portugal Golden Visa include:

Processing fee

Amount: €605.10 per person

The processing fee covers admin costs for processing your application. You pay this fee when you first apply and then at each renewal.

Initial application fee

Amount: €6,045.20 per person

The fee applies to each individual included in the application. You pay this when you start your application, which is a one-off payment.

Golden visa renewal costs

Amount: €3,022.60 per person

The golden visa allows you to reside in Portugal for two years. After that, you must renew your golden visa for another two years.

The table below shows the main Portugal Golden Visa application fees and the total cost over five years.

Number of Applicants Processing Fee Initial Application Fee Renewal Cost (x2 over 5 years) Total Over 5 Years
Single Applicant €605.10 €6045.20 €3,023.20 €12,696.70
Couple €1,210.20 €12,090.40 €6,046.40 €25,393.40
Family of Three €1,815.30 €18,135.60 €9,069.60 €38,090.10
Family of Four €2,420.40 €24,180.80 €12,092.80 €50,786.80

You should note that additional fees may apply depending on your investment route. Speak to one of our experts for more information based on your situation.

1000+

Families helped to gain citizenship/residency

$300 million

Amount we have invested in CBI programmes

$450 million

Value of property assets purchased in the last three years

40+

Client nationalities we have helped secure a golden visa

Portugal Golden Visa Investment Costs

Another major component of the Portugal Golden Visa cost is the investment itself.

The program offers several routes for investors. The investment amount and associated costs differ depending on the option you choose. Some of the main options include:

Investment Funds

Investment funds are one of Portugal’s most popular routes to securing a golden visa. This option requires a capital transfer of €500,000 in approved funds. However, there are financial options which can reduce the investor’s initial upfront cost to €168,000.

Related article: A Guide to Portugal Golden Visa Investment Funds.

Business options

Start a business in Portugal that creates at least 10 new full-time jobs. Another option is to invest a minimum of €500,000 in an existing company in Portugal.

Science and Culture

There are two capital transfer options. The first is €500,000 for science and research activities. The second is €250,000 to a fund that preserves Portugal’s national heritage.

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Additional Costs

Beyond the fees mentioned above, several additional expenses can affect the overall Portugal Golden Visa cost:

Legal fees

The cost of legal fees largely depends on the law firm you choose. While the Portugal Golden Visa process is relatively straightforward, hiring legal experts is highly recommended.

Hiring a professional to guide you through the application process can save time and reduce errors.

Document fees

You must pay to have non-Portuguese documents translated. The cost for these services can vary but typically starts at around €1,000.

Health insurance

One of the often overlooked Portugal Golden Visa costs is health insurance.

Those applying for a golden visa in Portugal may need health insurance. You should note that this only applies if the investor lives in Portugal full-time. If you need private medical insurance, the policy must meet the Schengen Area’s criteria.

The cost of health insurance can vary. Factors such as your medical history can impact the overall cost.

Please note that the actual fees for the points mentioned above depend on your situation. Speak to one of our specialists for an accurate breakdown of costs based on your situation.

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Summary

Understanding the Portugal Golden Visa cost is essential. Some of the key expenses investors need to account for include:

  • Application fees
  • Golden visa renewal costs
  • Investment costs
  • Legal fees

If you have any questions about the golden visa costs or any aspects of the program, we can help.

Holborn Pass is a leader in investor visas. We have worked with clients from around the globe to help them and their family members secure a Portugal Golden Visa.

We provide bespoke advice tailored to you and your needs. Our team also has partnerships with legal experts who can assist you throughout the process.

Book a free consultation with one of our professional advisers to learn more.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, you can. Many investors use a loan to cover the golden visa costs. However, the program does not allow loans from financial institutions in Portugal. Instead, you must secure a loan from a lender outside of Portugal.

Investors must renew residence permits every two years. The current golden visa renewal costs are officially around €3,000 for a single applicant and €6,000 for a couple.

The Portugal Golden Visa is not ending. The Portuguese government announced sweeping changes to the program in late 2023. The most notable change was removing real estate as an investment option.

The main criteria to qualify for the program include:

You must be a non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizen

You should have a clean criminal record

You must be over the age of 18

To learn more, read our article on the Portugal Golden Visa requirements.

The main golden visa holder can include certain family members, such as:

  • Spouse
  • Children under the age of 18
  • Dependent unmarried children under the age of 26
  • Dependent parents of the principal applicant or their spouse
  • Be aware that costs and fees increase depending on the number of people added to the application.

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