What is the Portugal Golden Visa
Portugal’s Golden Visa: Your Comprehensive 2025 Guide
Discover how Portugal’s Golden Visa offers a pathway to EU residency and citizenship through strategic investment, with minimal residency requirements and inclusive family benefits.
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Golden Visa Highlights
Low residency requirements: only 7 days/year (or 14 days every 2 years) required to maintain the visa and access citizenship.
Includes spouse, dependent children, parents and in-laws.
Secured access to European citizenship at year 5.
No relocation required, live anywhere, stay globally mobile.
Visa-free access to 29+ Schengen countries.
Invest from €500,000 in a government-regulated fund.
Portugal’s Golden Visa is one of the most established and flexible residency-by-investment programs in the world. Since 2012, it has offered international investors and their families a path to EU residency, and eventually citizenship, through a qualifying investment.
Unlike many other programs, Portugal’s Golden Visa doesn’t require relocation, making it ideal for those seeking freedom, mobility, and long-term security.
This guide walks you through everything you need to know: how the program works, who it’s for, and how to apply with confidence. Whether you’re seeking a future-proof Plan B, better mobility, or European access for your family, this page is designed to help you move forward with clarity.
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What Is the Portugal Golden Visa?
The Portugal Golden Visa is a residency-by-investment program launched in 2012 to attract foreign capital and talent. It offers non-EU nationals the ability to obtain Portuguese residency, and eventually citizenship, in exchange for a qualifying investment.
The program is designed to be flexible, with minimal physical stay requirements (14 days every two years). Investors gain access to Portugal’s robust legal and financial systems, high quality of life, and visa-free travel within the Schengen Zone.
The Golden Visa is a pathway to:
Long-term EU residency and citizenship.
A backup plan or “Plan B” for families.
Investment in a stable, growing economy.
Why Portugal?
Portugal isn’t just a gateway to the European Union, it’s one of the most livable, stable, and investor-friendly countries in the world. Whether you’re looking for a second residency, a strategic base in Europe, or long-term security for your family, Portugal consistently ranks among the best destinations to invest and build a future.
From its Mediterranean climate and modern infrastructure to its progressive residency policies and high safety ratings, Portugal offers a rare combination of lifestyle and legal stability. It’s no surprise the country has seen a surge in interest from global citizens looking to diversify their lives and secure a flexible Plan B.
EU Member
Free world-class healthcare
7th safest country in the world
*Global Peace Index 2024
Quality public education
Strategically located for business and travel
3,000 hours of sunshine per year
2nd best country to retire
*Global Retirement Index 2025
High quality of life
3rd strongest passport in the world *Passport Index 2024
Tax efficient
Low cost of living
English speaking
Have questions or ready to take the first step? Let's Chat.
Send a message directly to your personal consultant, we’re here to guide you through every stage of the Golden Visa process.
Benefits of the Portugal Golden Visa
Free movement in the EU
Gain visa-free access to 29 European countries for business, travel, and lifestyle.
Access to free healthcare and education
Give your family access to high quality free healthcare.
Live in your home country
Minimum stay required in Portugal of just 14 days every 2 years, allowing you to maintain your life and business abroad.
Pathway to Portuguese citizenship
Apply for an EU passport after 5 years without needing to relocate full-time.
Portugals favourable tax benefits
As a non tax resident, proceeds from your investment are not taxed. As a tax resident, there is no wealth tax, and no inheritance tax.
Financial stability
Financial stability: Portugal offers a secure, EU-regulated economy with consistent growth.
Who Can Apply for the Portugal Golden Visa?
Non-EU citizens only
Applicants must be from outside the EU, EEA, or Switzerland.
Minimum investment of €500,000
Must be made into a qualified Portuguese fund (like VIDA Capital).
Clean criminal record required
Background checks are conducted as part of the application.
Include your family
Spouse, dependent children, parents and in-laws over 65
Do you have questions about the process? Contact us.
Send a message directly to your personal consultant, we’re here to guide you through every stage of the Golden Visa process.
Residency vs. Citizenship
Portuguese Residency
Portuguese Citizenship
Investment Options for the Portugal Golden Visa
As of 2023, the Portuguese government has narrowed the scope of eligible Golden Visa investments. Real estate is no longer accepted. However, investors still have a range of qualifying options that contribute to national development and innovation:
Investment Option
Minimum Amount
Today, most investors prefer the fund route—for its safety, hands-off management, and potential for strong, professionally driven returns.
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Want to know what's the best option for you? Let's Chat.
Send a message directly to your personal consultant, we’re here to guide you through every stage of the Golden Visa process.
Golden Visa Application Process
Initial Application
You select your lawyer, obtain a Portuguese tax ID, and open a bank account in Portugal—laying the groundwork to make your investment. At the same time, you gather the required personal documents in your home country for the Immigration Office (AIMA). All of this can be done remotely through your lawyer.
Investment & Online Submission
You invest in an eligible Golden Visa fund, after which your investment is recorded with the Central Securities Depository operator in Portugal. With this receipt, your application is submitted online to the Immigration Office by your legal representative.
Pre Approval & Biometrics
After the Immigration Office pre-approves your application. you are invited to travel to Portugal for your biometrics appointment. Once you have completed the biometrics, you'll be issued your first of three cards, lasting two years.
Portuguese Passport
After five years of having invested your 500000€, you become eligible to apply for Portuguese citizenship. The process is straightforward and requires a clean criminal record and basic Portuguese language skills, which can be demonstrated either through an A2 language test or a certified online course (no test).
Find out about our Golden Visa Process.
Portugal Golden Visa Timeline
Year 0
Submit your application and documents to AIMA (the Portuguese immigration authority) with the help of your lawyer. After approval, schedule your biometrics appointment in Portugal. The initial wait for your residence permit is typically 9–18 months.
Year 1
Once approved, your first residence permit is valid for 2 years. You must spend a minimum of 14 days within those 2 years in Portugal to maintain eligibility.
Year 3
Your permit must be renewed. The second permit is also valid for 2 years, and you must spend a minimum of 14 days in Portugal during that period to maintain eligibility.
Year 5
You become eligible to apply for permanent residency or citizenship.
Portugal Golden Visa Cost
Expense
Amount
Fee Type
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Do Golden Visa Holders Pay Taxes in Portugal?
Not necessarily. Holding a Golden Visa does not, in itself, make you a tax resident in Portugal, and it has no automatic tax implications.
If you spend fewer than 183 days per year in Portugal and do not register a permanent residence, you are typically not considered a tax resident. In this case, Portugal does not tax your foreign-sourced income.
However, if you do become a tax resident, you will be subject to local taxation. That said, Portugal offers exemptions and special tax regimes, including the new Tax Incentive Scheme for Scientific Research and Innovation (IFICI), which replaced the Non-Habitual Residency (NHR) program in 2023.
A 20% flat tax rate applies to eligible employment and self-employment income earned in Portugal.
The regime is valid for up to 10 years.
Foreign-sourced income (excluding pensions) is exempt from taxation in Portugal, provided it is declared for tax progression purposes.
Foreign pensions are now taxed at progressive rates.
Applications to the IFICI program must be submitted by January 15 of the year following tax residency. For those who became tax residents in 2024, the deadline is March 15, 2025.
How VIDA Supports This Process
VIDA Capital ensures that all investor documentation is compliant with Portuguese regulations, including:
Anti-money laundering protocols.
Verification of fund origin and documentation
Collaboration with certified legal and financial professionals
Have questions or ready to take the first step? Let's Chat.
Send a message directly to your personal consultant, we’re here to guide you through every stage of the Golden Visa process.
Living in Portugal
Portugal is widely regarded as one of the most attractive places to live in Europe, offering a high standard of living, excellent infrastructure, and a welcoming atmosphere for foreigners. For Golden Visa holders planning to spend extended time in the country, or even relocate permanently, the lifestyle benefits go well beyond the legal advantages.
Healthcare
Portugal’s healthcare system combines public and private services. Public care is accessible and either free or low-cost for residents, including Golden Visa. EU citizens can access the system through the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), while non-EU nationals may need private insurance. Many expats opt for supplemental coverage to avoid long wait times and ensure access to private clinics.
Safety
Ranked as the 7th safest country in the world (Global Peace Index 2024), Portugal is known for its low crime rate and relaxed atmosphere. Solo travelers, families, and retirees feel safe both in major cities and smaller towns. Emergency services are reliable and accessible nationwide.
Cost of Living
While costs vary by region, Portugal remains relatively affordable compared to other Western European countries. A one-bedroom apartment in Lisbon or Porto might cost €1,000–€1,500/month, but prices drop significantly outside city centers. Dining out, groceries, and transportation are all reasonably priced, and utilities tend to be lower than the EU average.
Family Life and Activities
Portugal is family-friendly, with a strong emphasis on community and outdoor living. Children benefit from quality education options and a wide range of cultural and recreational activities. From exploring castles in Sintra to enjoying the beaches of the Algarve or visiting Lisbon’s museums and aquariums, there’s no shortage of ways to enjoy daily life as a resident.
Frequently asked questions
What is Portugal’s Golden Visa?
It’s a residency-by-investment program allowing non-EU investors to gain EU residency and a path to citizenship by doing a qualified investment.
How long does the Golden Visa process take?
Timelines can vary, but from application to receiving your residency card typically takes several months, depending on legal processing.
Do I need to relocate to Portugal?
No. The Golden Visa only requires you to stay in Portugal for 14 days every two years.
What are the costs beyond the €500,000 investment?
Additional costs include government fees and legal fees, which vary by firm.
Is Portugal’s Golden Visa still active and valid?
Yes. As of 2025, the Golden Visa program remains open and active. Fund investments like VIDA remain a legal, approved option.
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