Key Takeaways
• Real estate investments no longer qualify for the Portugal Golden Visa since October 2023.
• Minimum investment is €500,000 in venture capital, scientific research, or business; €250,000 for cultural donations.
• Applicants must be non-EU nationals, maintain investments five years, and meet seven days/year presence requirement.
The Portugal Golden Visa program gives people who are not citizens of a European Union country a way to live in Portugal 🇵🇹. By making certain types of investments in Portugal 🇵🇹, you can also bring your close family members to live with you. After five years, you may even be able to become a permanent resident or citizen of Portugal 🇵🇹. This program is often chosen because it makes moving to or living in an EU country easier, even for people who continue to work or live most of the year elsewhere.
Let’s take a detailed look at the financial requirements, available investment options, application process, and other important information about the Portugal Golden Visa, especially as updated in 2025.
Eligibility Requirements
Who can apply for the Portugal Golden Visa?
– You must be a non-EU, non-EEA, and non-Swiss national. This includes people from countries like the United States 🇺🇸, Canada 🇨🇦, India 🇮🇳, Brazil 🇧🇷, China 🇨🇳, and many more.
– You can apply alone or include your close family members—spouse or partner, minor children, adult children who depend on you or are still students, and dependent parents.
– You must have a clean criminal record in both Portugal 🇵🇹 and your country of residence.
– Applicants cannot have had issues such as overstaying or being banned from entering countries within the European Union.
Purpose and Benefits
The Portugal Golden Visa allows people to:
– Live, work, and study in Portugal 🇵🇹.
– Travel freely within the Schengen Zone (most of Europe).
– Bring qualifying family members under the same visa.
– Apply for permanent residency or citizenship after five years if all requirements are met.
– Enjoy the right to access local healthcare and education systems.
This program is popular internationally because it offers personal and family security, lifestyle flexibility, and the possibility of a future EU passport.
Main Investment Options and Financial Requirements
Portugal’s Golden Visa now has updated rules for 2025. The main way to get the visa is by making an eligible investment; real estate is no longer accepted as an investment option. The current options and their main requirements are as follows:
1. Venture Capital or Private Equity Funds
- Minimum Investment: €500,000
- Conditions: You must invest in a regulated venture capital or private equity fund approved by Portuguese authorities. At least 60% of this fund must be invested within Portugal 🇵🇹 itself. Importantly, the investment cannot be linked to real estate or property projects.
- Why choose this option: Many people pick this route for its potential financial return and less direct management responsibility. You give your money to a professional fund manager who invests in Portuguese businesses—often in technology, health, or manufacturing.
2. Donation to Cultural Heritage or Art Project
- Minimum Investment: €250,000
- Conditions: This must be a direct donation to a recognized Portuguese public or private organization that promotes culture, supports the arts, or protects national heritage. You must support approved projects only.
- Why choose this option: Some applicants want to give back or have no need for a financial return. This path usually has the lowest amount needed but is purely philanthropic (meaning, you do not get your money back).
3. Scientific Research
- Minimum Investment: €500,000
- Conditions: Investment must support research activities led by recognized public or private institutions in Portugal 🇵🇹—this could mean scientific or technological studies.
- Why choose this option: This is suitable for those who wish to support progress in science or technology, or who are interested in the future of education and research in Portugal 🇵🇹.
4. Business Creation or Company Investment
- Minimum Investment: €500,000, plus job creation
- Conditions: You invest in a new or existing company registered in Portugal 🇵🇹 and create at least five new permanent, full-time jobs.
- Why choose this option: Ideal for entrepreneurs wanting to run a business in Portugal 🇵🇹. It helps the local economy by providing jobs.
5. Company Formation with Job Creation
- Minimum Investment: No specific amount required
- Conditions: The only requirement is to create at least 10 new jobs for Portuguese residents. There is no set capital investment limit, but you must prove the jobs were actually created and maintained.
- Why choose this option: Good for investors who want to build or expand a business in Portugal 🇵🇹 and focus on hiring staff.
Summary of Main Financial Requirements
In summary, the key is to choose:
– €500,000 or more in an approved venture capital fund, scientific research, or business investment;
– OR a €250,000 donation to a recognized cultural/arts institution;
– OR company formation creating ten full-time jobs (no set investment amount).
All investments must be maintained for at least five years.
Application Process
Here is a step-by-step outline of how to apply for the Portugal Golden Visa:
- Choose an Investment Route
Decide which eligible route fits your interests—either venture capital, donation to culture, scientific research, or business investment. -
Prepare Your Documents
You will need:- Valid passport;
- Proof of qualifying investment (such as fund subscription agreement, bank statements, or donation receipt);
- Clean criminal record certificate from both your home country and any country where you have lived for more than a year;
- Proof of health insurance (if you are going to live in Portugal 🇵🇹);
- Declaration from a Portuguese bank confirming your funds transfer;
- Tax and social security clearance certificates, where required.
- Any foreign documents not in Portuguese may need to be officially translated (acceptance of English, French, and Spanish documents has expanded recently).
- Open a Portuguese Bank Account
You need a bank account in Portugal 🇵🇹 to transfer and hold your investment funds. -
Make the Investment
Complete your chosen investment and gather all supporting documents (like fund registration, donation certificate, or proof of company formation/jobs created). -
Online Application Submission
Submit your application through the SEF portal (Portuguese immigration services). Attach all required documents. -
Pay the Fees
Application and processing fees for single applicants usually range from €5,000–€8,000. Additional fees apply for family members or legal representation. -
Biometric Appointment
Attend a meeting with Portuguese immigration authorities for biometric data collection (fingerprints and photo). -
Wait for Approval
Your application is reviewed. If approved, you receive a residence permit for you and included family members.
Required Documents and Evidence
Every applicant and their dependents need to provide:
– Valid passports;
– Proof of qualifying investment (contract, bank statement, donation slip, etc.);
– Clean criminal record certificates (home country plus residence countries within the past year);
– Bank declaration confirming funds came from abroad;
– Proof of health insurance;
– Evidence of relationship for family members (e.g., marriage or birth certificates);
– Tax and social security compliance certificates, if applicable.
Note: Documents not in Portuguese should be translated and certified unless in English, French, or Spanish.
Processing Times and Fees
- Processing Times: The process can take several months, but timelines vary based on backlogs and demand. On average, expect six to twelve months from application to permit.
- Fees: For single applicants, add about €5,000–8,000 in government and processing fees. There are separate fees per family member and further costs if you use a lawyer or agent.
Validity Period and Renewal
- The initial residence permit is valid for two years.
- After two years, you must renew by showing continued investment and compliance.
- Renewed permits last three years.
- After five years, you may apply for permanent residency or citizenship if you have met all requirements—including at least seven days of physical presence each year and basic Portuguese knowledge.
Rights and Restrictions
Rights:
– Live, work, and study in Portugal 🇵🇹.
– Travel visa-free within the Schengen area.
– Access to health care and education in Portugal 🇵🇹.
– Bring family members under family reunification.
– Apply for citizenship or permanent residency after five years.
Restrictions:
– Real estate investments are NOT allowed in any form—direct or indirect—since October 2023.
– Minimum physical presence is required: at least seven days per year in Portugal 🇵🇹.
– Investments must remain in place for five years; early withdrawal defeats eligibility.
– Maintain a clean criminal record at all times.
Pathways to Permanent Residency or Citizenship
After five years, if you have maintained your qualifying investment and met residency conditions, you may apply for:
– Permanent residency: lets you stay in Portugal 🇵🇹 without further investment, with most of the same rights as citizens except voting and holding a passport.
– Portuguese citizenship: Requires proof of basic Portuguese language (usually A2 level). Citizenship gives you the full rights of an EU citizen, including a Portuguese passport.
Comparison with Similar Visa Types
Unlike the Portugal Golden Visa, other “golden visas” in Europe sometimes still allow real estate investment or require different minimums.
– Greece 🇬🇷 once allowed real estate investments but has since raised its minimums and imposed new limits.
– Spain 🇪🇸 still accepts some property investment but with high demand and similar fees.
– Malta 🇲🇹 offers a separate citizenship-by-investment program, usually requiring higher donation amounts.
The most popular route for Portugal 🇵🇹 post-reform is investing in regulated venture capital or private equity investment funds. This is because you can potentially earn profit, take less direct responsibility for business projects, and meet the €500,000 minimum, all while qualifying for a path to EU residency.
Common Misconceptions and FAQs
Is real estate still allowed for the Portugal Golden Visa?
No. Since October 2023, real estate—either bought directly or through funds—is not accepted.
Can I get the Golden Visa by just buying shares in a company?
Only if the investment meets the minimum and creates jobs, as explained above.
Can I include my grown-up children?
Yes, if they are dependent on you or are students, you may include them.
Do I have to live in Portugal 🇵🇹 all year?
No. The law requires you to be physically present for at least seven days per year during the five-year investment period.
How much Portuguese do I need to know for citizenship?
Basic (A2) level, meaning you can handle simple daily conversations.
Are the requirements likely to change again soon?
Immigration programs often get reviewed. As reported by VisaVerge.com, applicants should always check the latest details and consult official sources before investing.
Real-World Example Scenarios
- Business Owner:
Fatima, from Morocco 🇲🇦, invests €500,000 in a Portuguese tech fund. She visits Portugal 🇵🇹 every year for a few weeks. After five years, she applies for citizenship. -
Family Migration:
James, an American, moves with his spouse and two kids, investing €250,000 in a cultural project. The whole family gets residency cards, and James is not required to live in Portugal 🇵🇹 full-time. -
Entrepreneur:
Li from China 🇨🇳 opens a small business in Lisbon, investing €500,000 and creating six new jobs. He meets the requirements and sets his family up for long-term residency.
Recent Changes and Updates
The biggest recent change is the removal of real estate investment as a qualifying route for the Portugal Golden Visa (since October 2023). All investment funds used for this program must also avoid any real estate-linked assets. These updates were made to make the program better meet Portugal’s 🇵🇹 economic needs.
Pros and Cons of the Portugal Golden Visa
Pros:
– Flexible residency conditions (low presence required)
– Many investment option choices (venture capital, culture, business, research)
– Option for family inclusion
– Path to EU citizenship and free movement
– No prior residency required before applying
Cons:
– No longer possible to invest in real estate
– Large minimum amounts sometimes out of reach
– Language test required for citizenship
– Application fees can be high
– Processing backlogs can cause delays
Additional Resources
For the most current and official details, visit the Portuguese Immigration and Borders Service (SEF) website. Also, review reputable sources like VisaVerge.com for analysis and practical tips.
In summary: The Portugal Golden Visa in 2025 requires a minimum €500,000 investment in funds or business, or €250,000 in culture. By following the rules—especially the updated paths like venture capital funds—you and your family can build a secure and flexible future in Portugal 🇵🇹, with the chance of EU citizenship after five years. Always check the latest program criteria and consider your own goals in choosing the best route for you.
Learn Today
Venture Capital Fund → Investment fund pooling money to finance Portuguese companies, often focusing on technology, health, or innovation sector opportunities.
Schengen Zone → A group of European countries allowing passport-free travel, including Portugal, Spain, France, and many others.
Permanent Residency → Legal status allowing indefinite stay in Portugal with most rights of a citizen, except voting and EU passport.
Biometric Appointment → A scheduled meeting to collect fingerprints and a photo as part of the residence permit process.
A2 Portuguese Level → A basic language proficiency standard required for Portuguese citizenship, meaning simple daily communication skills.
This Article in a Nutshell
Portugal’s Golden Visa program now requires at least €500,000 in venture capital, research, or business, or €250,000 in cultural donations. Real estate is no longer eligible. Applicants must be non-EU nationals, maintain five-year investments, visit Portugal yearly, and comply with all rules to gain EU residency or citizenship.
— By VisaVerge.com
Read more:
• ILM Legal Fight Jeopardizes $90 Million Investment
• Spain’s Golden Visa shutdown lifts Greece as top residency-by-investment hub
• Vietnam plans 10-year Golden Visa to boost tourism and investment
• Portugal Golden Visa restricts options to fund and business investments
• U.S. investments in Italy bring key tax implications for expats
