Residency

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Golden Visa

Portugal

The Golden Residence Permit Program is a five-year residence by investment program for non-EU nationals.

€500,000+

Investment Amount

12+ months

Obtaining period

5 years

To Citizenship

Request Info

Portugal

Top Destination

Lisbon, Portugal

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The Portugal Golden Residence Permit Program is a five-year residence-by-investment initiative designed for non-EU nationals. With a minimum investment starting at €250,000, it offers one of the most accessible entry points into the European Union’s residency framework. The program includes several qualifying investment routes, allowing applicants to choose the option that best fits their goals and risk profile.

A key benefit of the Portugal Golden Visa is its minimal physical presence requirement—just seven days per year in the country. This flexibility makes it ideal for those who want to maintain international mobility while securing a foothold in the EU. The program also grants visa-free access to all Schengen Area countries, making travel across Europe seamless for permit holders.

Over a period of five to six years, eligible participants can apply for Portuguese citizenship, provided all requirements are met. Portugal itself offers a strong value proposition: it is a safe, stable, and affordable country with high-quality healthcare, modern infrastructure, and a favorable climate. The combination of lifestyle benefits and legal access to the EU makes the Portugal Golden Visa a compelling choice for global investors.

Benefits

Visa Free Travel To Europe

Portuguese residents visit the Schengen Area without a visa and spend up to 90 days out of 180 there.

Creating a "safe haven"

Residents can stay in the country without time limits. Investors must spend only 7 days every year in the country.

Moving to Portugal

Portugal is a developed European country with a warm climate, picturesque landscapes and clean beaches. Additionally, the cost of living is affordable there, and the level of safety is high.

EU citizenship in 5 years

Investors can apply for permanent residence or citizenship after five years as a resident. At the same time, they don’t have to live in the country.

Requirements

  • Any non-EU/EEA/Swiss national are eligible to apply.
  • You’re required to be at least 18 years old and hold a clean criminal record from your home country, as well as from Portugal.
  • The funds for the investment should arrive from outside of Portugal.
  • Qualifying investment categories include venture capital fund, company formation / employer responsibilities, and donation.
  • Under family reunification, you may extend the Golden Visa to the rest of the family members.
  • The funds for the investment should arrive from outside of Portugal.
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Process

  1. Decide on Your Investment Type: Analyze available investment options and select one that best fits your need. Currently, the fund option is the most popular.
  2. Gather all necessary documents: You need to gather all necessary documents for yourself, the main applicant, as well as all those for your dependents if you have any. Any investment advisor can help you in this process.
  3. Get a NIF and Open a Bank Account: Getting a NIF in Portugal can be done within a day. As for opening a bank account, it may take anywhere from a week to a couple of months, depending on which country you are originally from. A lawyer can help you complete this without needing to be in the country.
  4. Finalize the Investment: Complete your investment and transfer your funds.
  5. Submit Pre-Application: With your qualifying investment made and your paperwork ready, you will submit your pre-application online to AIMA (previously SEF).
  6. Schedule and Attend Your AIMA Appointment: AIMA will provide you with a set of available dates for a biometrics appointment. On the chosen appointment date, you and your dependents need to physically show up at the corresponding AIMA office in order to submit your fingerprints and make your application official.
  7. Get Your Golden Visa and Renew: You and your dependents receive your Golden Visa residence cards. Your law firm or your professional advisor will collect the cards and send them your way. Each card is valid for two years and at the end of the validity period, you will renew your Golden Visa card to receive a new one.
  8. Become a Portuguese Citizen: Once five years lapse from the day you submitted your application to AIMA, you are eligible to apply for permanent residency or citizenship in Portugal. The citizenship application typically takes anywhere from a year to 18 months. Once you receive your permanent residence or citizenship, you will no longer need to maintain your investment in Portugal.

Request Investment Options

Portugal

Feedback

Success stories, directly from investors

A visa by investment is made for all types of people

“The Portugal Golden Visa gave me and my family the chance to live in Europe without giving up our life in Brazil. The flexibility of the program made it easy to invest while planning our future in Lisbon.”

Holy Newhouse

“The UAE Golden Visa has been a game changer for my business. It gave me long-term stability in Dubai and opened doors to a global network of investors and entrepreneurs.”

“I wanted a lifestyle upgrade and a stronger passport for my children. Spain’s Golden Visa offered both. The residency process was seamless, and we now split our time between Madrid and London.”

“We used the Caribbean citizenship program to get a second passport. It was fast, simple, and now we travel visa-free to over 140 countries.”

Michael R

“After years in Canada, we wanted a Plan B. Investing in Portugal gave us European residency without uprooting our lives. We now spend part of the year in the Algarve and love the flexibility it gives our family.”

Allison

“I run a remote team, and the Panama residency gave me a base in Latin America with great tax perks. Total no-brainer for digital nomads.”

“The Turkey Citizenship by Investment program helped us secure a future outside our home country. We also invested in real estate that’s already appreciated.”

“The Italy investment residency felt like the best of both worlds — culture, safety, and long-term access to the EU. We now have a family base in Milan.”

Deanne

“The Spain Golden Visa let us diversify our assets and give our kids better education options. We’ve already built a new life between Barcelona and Dubai.”

Dory

Your Trusted Guide To Global Residency

Our FAQ covers the most common questions you will need to know  about investing in an alternative residency or citizenship.

These are government-approved programs that allow individuals to obtain residency or citizenship in a country by making a qualifying investment. It’s a legal pathway to live, work, or travel more freely — often used for global mobility, asset protection, or lifestyle upgrades.

The required investment varies by country. Some start as low as €100,000 (e.g. in the Caribbean), while others like Portugal or Spain typically require €250,000 to €500,000 or more. Investment options may include real estate, government bonds, business creation, or donation models.

Depending on the country and program, you may receive:

  • Temporary or permanent residency
  • Citizenship (with or without a passport)
  • Access to healthcare, education, and other public services
  • Visa-free travel to specific regions (like the EU Schengen Zone or Caribbean)

Timelines vary:

  • Residency programs: 2–6 months on average
  • Citizenship programs: 4 months to 2 years

Some countries also offer fast-track options for higher investments.

Not always. Some countries require a minimum number of days per year (like Portugal), while others (like Malta or St. Kitts) have no residency requirements. This makes some programs ideal for global citizens or digital nomads.

Yes, in some cases. Certain programs may restrict applicants from specific countries due to diplomatic or security reasons. Additionally, your current passport can impact visa-free travel benefits or dual citizenship rules.

Yes, some countries cap the number of applications each year (like the U.S. EB-5 or St. Lucia citizenship program). It’s important to apply early or monitor demand if your timeline is urgent.

Yes. Most programs allow you to include a spouse, dependent children, and sometimes parents. Additional fees or investment thresholds may apply depending on family size.

In many cases — yes, if you choose an option like real estate or business investment. However, donation models (often cheaper and faster) are non-refundable. Each country offers different terms, so this is worth evaluating closely.

Still have questions?
Email us at team@aurovisa.com