Portugal Golden Visa is a special programme initiated by the Portuguese government in 2012 to attract foreign investment in the country. This initiative allows citizens of non-EU countries to get residency status in Portugal in exchange for investment in the Portuguese economy.
The golden visa is issued for 2 years, after which the residence permit can be extended twice more for two years.
Advantages of the Portuguese residence by investment programme
Europe without borders
The Portuguese residence permit allows you to live permanently in Portugal and to travel in the European Union without a visa. You can spend in Schengen countries up to 90 days out of 180.
Residency for the whole family
The programme allows the investor to grant residency to members of their family. This includes their wife or husband, children under the age of 18 (and in some cases up to 26) and financially dependent parents.
Path to European citizenship
After 5 years as a resident of Portugal, the investor can apply for a status of a permanent resident or Portuguese citizenship.
Being a resident without living in the country
The programme is popular due to its low residency requirements: an investor only needs to live in Portugal for 7 days a year or 14 days over two years.
Opportunity to recover your investment
The programme offers several investment options. Some of them involve non-refundable contributions to the Portuguese economy. And some (and this distinguishes the Portuguese programme from a number of others) allow you to make return investments in Portuguese businesses or venture capital funds.
Investment options
There are five different investment options that allow you to become a Portuguese resident. Among them there are options with non-refundable investments and investments that can be returned after 3-5 years. The most popular option in the recent past, the residence by a property purchase in the country, was abolished in 2023 and is now unavailable.
Buy investment fund units
Minimum investment — €500,000.
The most popular option. Unlike starting a business, this is a passive investment that does not require active involvement in the company’s processes. Unlike investments in scientific research or support for cultural initiatives, this option is refundable. The money can be returned after 5 years.
You can invest in a private investment or venture capital fund. However, the fund must be registered in Portugal and 60% of the fund’s capital must be invested in Portuguese companies. It is also not necessary to invest everything in one fund. Investments can be diversified to minimise risks.
Invest in scientific projects
Minimum investment — €500,000.
You make an irrevocable donation to a private or public research centre that is a part of Portugal’s national science and technology system.
The minimum investment amount can be reduced to €400,000 if you are contributing in one of the low population density regions.
Support the arts and restoration of cultural heritage
Minimum investment — €250,000.
In this case, you donate for the reconstruction of national heritage monuments and the promotion of cultural projects. You won’t be able to return this investment.
If you donate in a region with a low population density, the minimum amount will be €200,000.
Invest in local business
Minimum investment — €500,000.
You can start your own business or invest in a Portuguese company by increasing its share capital. Your investment must create or maintain 5 jobs for Portuguese citizens. After 3 years, this investment can be recovered.
Start a business
This option has no investment requirements. However, when starting a business in Portugal, you must create a minimum of 10 jobs for Portuguese citizens. If you create jobs in one of the regions with low population density, 8 new jobs will be sufficient. These jobs will need to be maintained for the duration of your residency.
This option is best suited for entrepreneurs who intend to relocate to Portugal.
What documents do I need to get a residence in Portugal
You will need to provide the following documents:
- Passport;
- Proof of your legal stay in Portugal (visa, entry stamp, rental contract);
- A criminal record certificate issued in your country of origin or in the country where you have resided for the last year;
- A completed form giving the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) access to your criminal records in Portugal;
- A notarized promise letter to fulfil all requirements for the size and timing of the investment;
- Confirmation of no tax debts in Portugal;
- Proof of payment of the state fee for processing your application;
- Tax Identification Number (NIF);
- Valid health insurance;
- Documents confirming the investment.
Additional costs
In addition to fulfilling the basic investment requirement you need to be prepared to pay as well:
| Name of payment | Amount |
| Health insurance | From €400 per year for each family member |
| Application processing fee | €605 per person |
| Fee for issuance of resident’s card | €6045 for each family member |
| Administrative fees | From €300 per person |
| In total | €7350 |
How to get a Portugal Golden Visa with Imperial & Legal
Contacting Imperial & Legal
Imperial & Legal can help you determine which investment option is best for you. Our immigration consultants will carefully review your documents. If we believe there is a high probability of refusal, we will explain the risks in detail and suggest other possible solutions. We will explain the details of the residence permit process and draw up a roadmap.
Obtaining a NIF and opening a bank account
The next step is to obtain a tax identification number (NIF). It is required to open a bank account, register a company and carry out almost any financial transaction in Portugal.
It will then be necessary to open a Portuguese bank account. Imperial & Legal will help you to gather the necessary documents and take care of communication with the bank.
Investing
Once a bank account has been opened, you will need to transfer the required amount into it. Under the terms of the residence permit programme in Portugal, your investment must be made from the applicant’s account in a Portuguese bank. You buy units in a private investment or venture capital fund, invest in business, science or culture.
Our specialists will help you decide how best to make an investment and collect all the documents confirming the investment to apply for a residence permit.
Preparing documents and submitting the application
Immigration counsellors will help you to collect and translate into Portuguese all the documents you need to apply for a residence permit. When all the documents are ready, we will send electronic copies to the Integration, Migration and Asylum Agency (AIMA) of Portugal. You will then have to wait for a response from the agency. It takes 2-3 months for the application to be processed.
Visit to Portugal
You will need to come to Portugal to make visit the bank in person. We will pre-register you and your family members for biometric data submission. On the appointed day you will be required to appear in person at the Migration Service of Portugal. If necessary, we will help you to get a Schengen visa.
Once you have passed the biometrics, you will receive a temporary document allowing you to reside in Portugal until your application is processed.
Getting your residence permit
It usually takes up to 8 months from the date of submission of biometric data for the application to be processed. Once approved, you will need to pay the official fee for the issuance of the resident card.
Once the card is ready, you can pick it up in person at the office of the migration service or through an authorised person.
Renewing your residence permit
The residency status will have to be confirmed every 2 years. For this purpose, it is mandatory to spend at least 7 days per year or 14 days over two years in Portugal. In 5 years after getting the residence permit, you will be eligible to apply for permanent residence or Portuguese citizenship.
Portugal Golden Visa with Imperial & Legal
Licensed company
Imperial & Legal is regulated by the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) UK to the highest, third class licence. This licence is a guarantee of the quality and transparency of our work. Our representatives in Portugal have official licence and proven credibility.
99% success rate
Before signing a contract, our experts carefully study each case. If we recognise a high probability of rejection, we always explain the risks in detail and offer other possible solutions that can guarantee a positive result.
Individual approach and full support
We will provide full legal support throughout the application process. Our specialists will develop an individual solution and take care of communication with the immigration service. If necessary, we will help you organise your relocation.
