visa-free countries
minimum requirement
months processing time
The Portugal Golden Visa Programme provides visa-free travel within the Schengen Area thanks to the country’s EU membership.
It also provides a flexible path to Portuguese and European Union citizenship or permanent residence after as little as five years.
Read MorePortuguese RBI has transformed the country. From being one of the poorer countries in the EU, it has become one of the powerhouses.
The capital Lisbon is the San Francisco of Europe whose steep hills you can navigate by tram. Portugal’s other major city, Porto, is a paradise for foodies.
To be eligible for the Portugal Golden Visa, you must:
Buy real estate worth at least €500,000. If these are tourist developments, you are limited to Lisbon, Porto, the Algarve, and the coast. Investors can only purchase for personal use in lower-density areas. These are inland, and on Madeira and the Azores. This will reduce to €400,000 in low-population density areas.
Make a property purchase worth at least €350,000 in developments constructed more than 30 years ago. You can also buy in an area of urban regeneration. The programme restricts purchases to metropolitan areas. This figure will drop to €280,000 in low-population density areas.
You can incorporate a company or increase the share capital of an existing Portuguese company for €500,000. This must create five local jobs for a three-year period. Alternatively, create a minimum of 10 new jobs.
Spend seven days in Portugal during the first year of residency. In each subsequent two-year period, you must reside in Portugal for 14 days. There is an attractive tax regime married to a high living standard.
The RIF Trust team has global experts in over 20 countries. We can advise in 14 languages. Let us help you find the perfect investment migration solution.
The RIF Trust team has global experts in over 20 countries. We can advise in 14 languages. Let us help you find the perfect investment migration solution.
We commence our process with Form 1. This enables us to carry out the initial RIF Trust, part of Latitude Group, due diligence. Following the successful screening, we will provide you with a Client Agreement (CA) for review and signature.
Upon receiving the signed agreement and retainer payment, our legal team will complete all the necessary government forms and supporting documents. We will help you open a bank account.
If you make a property investment, you will need to execute a sales and purchase agreement with the developer. We will liaise with the property developer and Portuguese Immigration and Border Service (Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras - SEF) on your behalf to assist where necessary. We will then arrange for you to receive your Golden Visa.
Once the initial validity period of your Golden Visa ends, we will assist you in the renewal process, ensuring that you continue to meet the eligibility requirements for an additional two-year extension. Our expert team will guide you through the necessary steps.
When the fourth year of your Golden Visa programme approaches, we will once again help you with the renewal process, ensuring that you continue to meet the eligibility criteria and all requirements.
After completing the renewal process, your Golden Visa will be renewed for an additional two years, allowing you to maintain your residency status in Portugal and enjoy all the benefits that come with it.
In year 5 of the Portugal Golden Visa programme, you become eligible for permanent residency or citizenship. You can take advantage of long-term residency or nationality options in Portugal with various benefits.
The Portugal Golden Visa Programme is a five-year residency option for those seeking visa-free travel to all countries within the EU Schengen Area. The Portuguese residency allows you to live, work, and study within Portugal. It provides a flexible path to citizenship or permanent residence after five years.
The Portugal Golden Visa requirements are relatively minimal with regard to physical presence, with just seven days during the first year of residence and 14 days during the following two years. This is beneficial for those seeking the residency primarily for business purposes, as it requires little time away from normal working conditions.
With the payment of additional required fees, spouses and dependants can also enjoy the same benefits of Portuguese residency as you, meaning access to high-quality Portuguese schools and universities.
In order to qualify for citizenship, you must have held residency status for at least five years and have a basic understanding (A2 level) of the Portuguese language.
As long as you have held residency status for at least one year, your future children will automatically receive Portuguese citizenship if they are born in the country.
The Portugal Golden Visa requirements state that residency must be renewed after every two years. After five years, provided you have maintained your investment, you will be eligible to apply for permanent residence or citizenship.
In order to make an application for a Golden Visa in Portugal, you must fulfil the following requirements:
There are a few ways of gaining Portuguese Residency by Investment, which vary in complexity and financial output. The main three methods are as follows:
Subject to all requirements being fulfilled, you can obtain residency within 12 to 18 months. You must continue to meet requirements throughout the application process in order to retain Portuguese residency.
Our team operates in over 20 countries worldwide, securing second citizenship or residency in desirable locations and unlocking a brighter future.