Portugal Golden Visa Requirements

Fund Investment

Investing €500,000 in a qualifying private equity or venture capital fund is currently the most popular route to securing a Portugal Golden Visa. This option allows individuals and their families – including dependent children – to obtain Portuguese residency without the need for active business management or relocation.

While other eligible routes exist, such as job creation or cultural contribution, the fund investment remains the only passive option that may also offer a return on investment.

Associated Costs

Beyond the core investment, the Portugal Golden Visa process involves additional costs such as legal representation and government application fees

• Legal fees typically start from €5,000 in the first year, and ongoing legal support for residency renewals is generally around €1,500 every two years.
• Government application fees are charged per applicant and currently stand at approximately €6,394 for the initial residence permit. For renewals, the fee is €3,488 every two years.

Eligibility and Requirements

To apply for the Portugal Golden Visa, applicants must meet a few standard criteria beyond the core investment and related fees. This includes opening a Portuguese bank account, holding valid health insurance, and providing proof of a clean criminal record. As part of the application process, biometric data must also be submitted in person during a visit to Portugal.

Once granted, the Golden Visa is valid for two years and can be renewed every two years, as long as the investment is maintained and the applicant spends at least 2 weeks in Portugal within each renewal period.

 

Portugal Golden Visa Benefits

Portugal’s Golden Visa is widely recognised as one of the most attractive residency-by-investment programs in Europe. Its key benefits include:

• Low minimum investment of just €500,000
• Eligibility to live, work and study in Portugal
• Visa free travel throughout the EU Schengen zone
• Ability to apply for Portuguese citizenship after ten years – without needing to reside full time.
• Minimum stay requirement of just 14 days every two years
• Potential tax advantages under Portugal’s NHR regime