Golden Visa Portugal 2025
Want to secure European residency through investment? Portugal Golden Visa The program remains one of the most attractive options for non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens in 2025.
As the program continues to evolve, this comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about the latest rules, investment pathways, and lifestyle benefits.
With the recent changes in real estate investments, the focus is now on qualified Portuguese funds, offering a simplified and sustainable path to residency.
Enjoy the freedom of Europe's Schengen Area with just 14 days of mandatory stay every two years – your path to European residency has never been more accessible.
What is the Portugal Golden Visa
Portugal's Golden Visa program is one of the most popular residency-by-investment programs in the world. The program began in 2012, and since then, more than 13,000 investors, in addition to their respective families, have applied for the Golden Visa with a total investment in Portugal exceeding 6 billion euros.
Since the beginning of the program until today, most investors have come from China, the USA, Brazil, Turkey and South Africa. Currently, the vast majority of investments are made in Private Equity Funds and investments must be made in Euros.
5 years after applying for the Portugal Golden Visa, the investor can apply to obtain Portuguese nationality or Permanent Residency.
The time required for citizenship eligibility begins to run from the date of submission of the application, allowing investors to meet the five-year residency requirement even while their application is being processed.
The applicant does not need to move to Portugal to keep the residence permit. Staying in the country for 14 days every two years, after obtaining the residence card, will be enough.
Benefits of the Portugal Golden Visa
As global interest in residency-by-investment programs continues to increase, Portugal's Golden Visa has emerged as a standout option for those seeking EU citizenship or permanent residency in Portugal.
Here are the main benefits:
Quality of Life and Attractive Environment
- Portugal is one of the oldest nations in Europe, but also one of the
One of the most dynamic and culturally rich countries in Europe, with a beautiful coastline, mild climate, friendly people and excellent cuisine. - The country is known for its high quality of life, safety, and welcoming atmosphere.
- Average of more than 300 days of sunshine per year.
- Portugal has a relatively affordable cost of living, which makes it an attractive destination for investors.
- One of the safest countries in the world.
- Politically stable country with a growing economy.
- One of the safest countries in the world.
- Easy access to and within Portugal due to its geographical location and the huge investment made by the country in
transport infrastructures since the 1980s.
Strategic access to Europe and beyond
- The Portugal Golden Visa serves as a gateway to Europe, providing the right to live, work, and study in Portugal.
- Access to free education and health in Portugal
- Visa-free travel in Europe's Schengen area, currently consisting of 29 countries, is included, allowing free movement for the investor and qualified family members.
- The investor does not need to live in Portugal to keep the residence card. A stay of just 14 days every two years will suffice. Unless you live in Portugal for more than 183 days per year, you will not become a tax resident in Portugal.
Family inclusion and low minimum stay requirements
Portugal's Golden Visa allows the investor to include family members in the application, providing them with the same residency benefits and free movement within the Schengen Area. Eligible family members include:
- Spouse or partner
- Children under 18 years old
- Children over 18 years of age who are financially dependent, single and still in school
- Applicant's parents over 65 years of age
- You only need to stay 7 days in Portugal during the first year and 14 days
every 2 years during subsequent years.
The good news is that Portuguese law fully recognizes members of the LGBT+ community as family members for the purposes of applying for a Golden Visa and residency.
Long-term benefits
- After five years, one of the shortest terms in Golden Visa programs around the world, investors can apply for Portuguese citizenship, guaranteeing them, family members and future generations, access to a Portuguese passport.
- A Portuguese passport allows visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 191 countries.
- Portugal allows dual citizenship.
- Tax benefits under the new IFICI+ program.
Full access to public services
Golden Visa holders and their families can live, work, and study in Portugal, with full access to public services, including health and education, all the way to top universities with very low tuition fees.
Diversification of investments in a stable market
The Golden Visa program offers a unique opportunity to diversify assets in a stable and thriving market, connecting the benefits of the European lifestyle with a thriving business environment.
Tax benefits
- Obtain a reduced tax rate for income earned in Portugal and a worldwide exemption for investors who may qualify for the new IFICI+ tax program. In addition, there is no inheritance tax in Portugal and donations between close family members are also exempt from taxes.
- Only residents who stay in Portugal for more than six months a year must pay tax on income earned in Portugal.
