Residency by Investment in Portugal
- One of the most popular programmes in the world
- Route to EU citizenship within five years
- Favourable tax benefits
Minimum Investment Amount
€500,000
Processing Time
3 - 8 Months
Key Residency Benefit
Visa Free Travel
Why is Portugal a popular investment location?
Portugal is the westernmost European country. Its colonies extended across Africa, Brazil, Persia, Indochina and the Malay Peninsula, creating one of the world’s most globalised and peaceful nations. Portugal is considered very safe and has a low crime rate. Although Portuguese is the official language, English is widely spoken in tourist regions.
Portugal is a member of the Schengen area and began using the Euro as its currency in 2002. While Portugal is shifting towards offering business-oriented services, it remains deeply rooted in its rich cultural heritage and traditional industries. The country is renowned for its wine production, as well as its seafood cuisine and vibrant festivals.
About the Portugal Residency by Investment programme
The Portugal Golden Visa is a residency by investment programme aimed at non-EU/EEA citizens seeking permanent residency.
The Portuguese government launched the Golden Visa programme in October 2012 to boost the country’s economy by driving foreign investment. Today, the programme is one of the most popular of its kind in the world and has raised over €7.5 billion.
With a range of investment options, including capital transfers, the programme grants you a residency permit to live, work and study in Portugal. The country offers a high quality of life and affordable living costs. Those who qualify also benefit from greater freedom of movement, with visa-free access to 188 countries, including European Union countries in the Schengen Area.
The programme also offers long-term benefits. Applicants can apply for Portuguese citizenship, permanent residence and an EU passport after holding residency status for five years. Portugal citizenship by investment is becoming increasingly popular due to the high standards of living that Portuguese residents enjoy.
What are the Benefits of the Portuguese Golden Visa?
Live, work and study in Portugal
Visa-free travel in the Schengen Area
Path to EU citizenship
Low minimum stay requirements
Multiple investment options from €250,000
Highly favourable tax system
How to obtain the Portuguese Golden Visa
Capital Transfer
A capital transfer of at least €500,000 in research activities can be made, or €250,000 in preserving national heritage in Portugal.
Capital transfer of at least €500,000 for the acquisition of units of investment funds or venture capital funds for the capitalisation of companies whose maturity at the time of the investment is at least 5 years, and at least 60% of the value of investments will be realised in commercial companies based in Portugal.
€500,000 constitution of a commercial society with head office in Portugal and creation of 5 permanent working jobs.
Invest into funds
Capital transfer of €500,000 or higher to invest in an investment fund or venture capital fund incorporated under Portuguese law which is dedicated to the capitalisation of companies, whose maturity at the moment of the investment is at least five years and with 60% of the investment portfolio realised in commercial companies with their head office in national territory.
Key Benefit of the Portuguese Golden Visa
The Portugal Golden visa is a popular route to obtaining EU citizenship. It is possible to apply for Portuguese citizenship after the 5th year of holding the Portuguese Golden Visa.
As Portugal is an EU country, obtaining Portuguese citizenship gives the investor and their family access to additional EU benefits. These include the ability to live, work and study anywhere in the EU. Portugal passport holders are also granted visa-free travel to 188 countries.
Frequently asked questions
The minimum investment amount for the Portuguese Golden Visa is €500,000.
There is also a donation option available of €250,000. This donation must be made into artistic production or in the recovery or maintenance of national cultural heritage, arts or culture.
Be aware that other costs such as government application fees and legal processing fees also apply. One of our specialists will discuss this with you in more detail, so you are aware of all costs upfront.
No. You do not have to live permanently in Portugal to renew your Portugal Golden Visa or receive permanent residence or citizenship.
The minimum stay requirements for the Portugal Golden Visa are that you must stay in the country for at least seven days in the first year. You must remain in the country for 14 days for the following two-year period. Over the course of five years, this works out to five weeks in Portugal to get your permanent residence permit.
The initial Portuguese Golden Visa grants temporary residence for two years after the initial application. You can renew your temporary residence visa for two successive periods of two years at a time, as long as you continue to meet the requirements.
Obtaining a Golden Visa and citizenship in Portugal takes approximately five years.
The requirements for the Golden Visa are quite simple:
You and your immediate family have a clean criminal record
You aren’t currently a citizen of an EU country (this applies if you are from the United Kingdom following Brexit, meaning UK citizens can apply for Portugal citizenship by investment program.)
You have the required investment amount – the amount will change depending on the type of investment you choose.
As long as you meet the criteria above, we can start your application.
Holborn Assets are an award-winning wealth management and financial services business established in 1998. With offices globally, Holborn are well-positioned to help you with your citizenship and residency application.
At Holborn we have:
- 250+ qualified advisors across the globe
- More than $2billion assets under management
- Servicing 20,000 clients worldwide
Portugal Application Process
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1-3 MONTHS
Your investment is secured, and your application is submitted
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MONTH 6
Golden Visa application is approved
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MONTH 10
Golden Visa cards are issued for a 2 year period
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YEAR 2
Your Golden Visa is renewed for two years, providing that all the requirements have been met
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YEAR 4
Your Golden Visa is renewed for another two years, providing that all the requirements have been met
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YEAR 5
Application for citizenship is submitted
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YEAR 6
Citizenship is obtained and EU passports are granted
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1-3 MONTHSYour investment is secured, and your application is submitted
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MONTH 6Golden Visa application is approved
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MONTH 10Golden Visa cards are issued for a 2 year period
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YEAR 2Your Golden Visa is renewed for two years, providing that all the requirements have been met
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YEAR 4Your Golden Visa is renewed for another two years, providing that all the requirements have been met
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YEAR 5Application for citizenship is submitted
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YEAR 6Citizenship is obtained and EU passports are granted
Which programme is right for you?
| Citizenship or Residency Programme? | Citizenship or Residency Programme?Residency | ||
| Minimum Investment Amount | Minimum Investment Amount€500,000 | ||
| Minimum Stay Requirement | Minimum Stay Requirement5 weeks per 5 years | ||
| Initial Permit Duration | Initial Permit Duration5 years | ||
| Time to Residence | Time to Residence12 months | ||
| Time to Citizenship | Time to Citizenship5 years | ||
| Family Inclusion? | Family Inclusion?Spouse, children under 21 and parents | ||
| Right to Work? | Right to Work?Yes | ||
| Type of Document Received | Type of Document Received?Residency permit, leading to passport | ||
| No. of Visa-Free Countries with Passport? | No. of Visa-Free Countries with Passport?188 | ||