Portugal Golden Visa – Golden global Pass

Portugal - Residence by Investment

At Golden Global Pass, we are more than just a source of information – we are your trusted advisors in securing a Portuguese Golden Visa residency through strategic, qualifying investments. With 10+ years of experience and a proven track record assisting investors worldwide in over 150 countries, we simplify the process from start to finish. Our expert team offers personalised guidance, ensuring your investment aligns with your residency and citizenship needs and your long-term financial goals. Whether you’re exploring real estate, investment funds, or cultural projects, we provide access to the widest range of qualifying opportunities.

Don’t leave your future to chance – partner with experienced advisors who understand the landscape. Contact us today to begin your journey toward EU residency

Portugal Golden Visa – Program Overview

The Golden Visa program in Portugal has proven to be the most popular scheme in Europe with investors attracted to its flexibility, cost and benefits. Introduced in 2012 this pioneering investment visa effectively launched the concept of Golden Visas taking it mainstream and laying the foundations for other countries such as Spain and Greece to follow. Since then, the program has been actively promoted internationally attracting over €6.0 billion of inward investment into the economy. As the leading consultancy for the Portuguese Golden Visa La Vida is proud to have advised and assisted more than one thousand investors and applicants from over 150 countries worldwide for the program since its introduction.

Portugal Golden Visa Requirements
Fund Investment
An investment of €500,000 into a qualifying Private Equity investment fund or Venture Capital fund within Portugal will gain a golden visa residency permit for a family including dependent children. Although other methods are available including creating jobs or charitable donation (see FAQ below) the fund route is the only passive investment option offering clients a potential return on investment.

Associated Costs
There are certain costs to consider in addition to the investment amount for the golden visa. They include:

Legal Fees: Typically €5000 first year. €1500 every two years thereafter for renewals.
Government Fees. Per applicant: €6394 first year. €3488 every two years thereafter.
Eligibility and Requirements
In addition to the investment and fees applicants will need to open a Portuguese bank account. Investors are required to have a clean criminal record, full health insurance and to submit their applications along with full biometrics. This requires one visit to Portugal at the application stage.

The Golden Visa can be renewed at two-year intervals providing the applicant spends two weeks in the country every two years and maintains their investment.

Portugal Permanent Residency and Citizenship Through Investment

One of the most attractive options of the Portuguese Golden Visa is the ability to apply for permanent residency or citizenship after five years without the need to reside in Portugal full time. The applicant and their family need only visit for two weeks every two years to renew the Portuguese Golden Visa through this period. Read more on the path to Portuguese Citizenship. The residency card granted through the golden visa programme allows the holder to travel throughout the EU Schengen zone. Citizenship of Portugal and a second passport conveys the right to live, work and study anywhere in the European Union.

Portugal Golden Visa Benefits

The benefits of Portugal’s Golden Visa scheme have helped establish it as arguably the world’s foremost residency by investment program. They 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 five years (without needing full residency) Minimum stay requirement of just 14 days every two years Tax benefits. No tax on worldwide income Option for Non-Habitual Tax Residency (NHR)

Portugal Golden Visa Investment Funds

From 2012 through to 2023 it was possible to invest in real estate in Portugal to gain the golden visa. That all changed in October 2023 when a new law was passed introducing new rules. The law now restricts inward investment to direct company investment (creating jobs) or through Private Equity or Venture Capital Funds. Such funds must be registered under legislation in Portugal. They cannot be invested in real estate and must have a minimum maturity of five years. 60% of the fund must be invested in companies with a head office in Portugal. La Vida acts as an introducer to regulated Fund Managers but we do not provide investment advice.

How to Apply for The Golden Visa in Portugal

Consult with GGP’s team of experts to help decide if Portugal’s residency investment is suitable for you and your family. If so, we can then help you appoint a legal representative from several we can recommend and introduce private equity fund managers to advise on qualifying investments.

GGP will work with you and your appointed legal representative in Portugal to prepare for your Golden Visa application. This includes opening a Portuguese bank account and NIF number before finalising your investment choice. At this point a pre-application can be submitted online.

Following a review of your pre-application by the Portuguese Immigration and Border Service (AIMA formerly SEF) you will need to attend in person in Portugal at a pre appointed meeting with AIMA at which point your biometrics (fingerprints) will be taken and you will officially make the golden visa application.

You then wait the final approval of your application. On approval your residency cards will be forwarded to you. These are valid for two years when they can be renewed subject to retaining your investment throughout and paying the appropriate renewal fees.

Portugal Golden Visa Fund Investments

A few examples of qualifying Fund Investments for residency and citizenship investment in Portugal. For advice and details on each of these please contact us for an introduction to the relevant fund manager who is regulated to give advice on these.

Portugal Golden Visa FAQ’s

Listed below are some of the most frequently asked questions we receive regarding the programme. No doubt you have many more and we would be happy to help. Please contact our advisors for further details.

What is the Portugal Golden Visa price?

The cost of Portugal’s Golden Visa is €500,000, plus fees.

In 2025 the minimum investment required is €500,000 through a Private Equity or Venture Capital Fund. These are funds regulated by the Portuguese Securities Market Commission (CMVM). Such funds are managed by a regulated Fund Manager. Funds can not be invested in real estate. There is also a company investment route: Either by establishing your own company and creating 10 jobs or investing a minimum €500,000 in an existing company creating 5 jobs. Previously it way possible to invest through real estate. That is no longer the case.

What family members can I include in my Portuguese Golden Visa Application?

Family reunification is a key benefit. The main investor applying for the programme can include:

A spouse or partner
Children under 18 years old
Dependent children over 18 years old, as long as they are unmarried and enrolled in full-time education
Dependent parents of either spouse or partner, over 55 years old. No need to provide evidence of dependency if they are over 65 years old
Siblings under 18 years old of either spouse or partner if legally under their supervision.

Is Portugal’s Golden Visa program open to all nationalities?

The Golden Visa programme in Portugal is open to all non-EU Citizens. This now also includes British citizens, following Brexit. There are no non-EU citizens that are prohibited from applying, however, certain nationalities such as Iranian citizens and Russian citizens may find it difficult to open a Portuguese bank account, due to the EU’s banking compliance process. This is not to say it is not possible. If you have any concerns, please contact La Vida’s experts for more advice.

What documents are required for the Portugal Golden Visa?

Valid Passport, Schengen Visa and travel documents;
Investment certificate;
Declaration from a bank in Portugal confirming the transfer of the funds;
Absence of criminal conviction in Portugal and of interdiction to enter the country;
Criminal certificate from country of origin (absence of conviction of relevant crime);
Absence of notice from the Portuguese Immigration Authorities or Schengen Services;
Declaration from the investor confirming compliance with the investment requirements.

Is the Portugal Golden Visa Suspended?

No, the Portugal Golden Visa is not suspended – it is very much open and in high demand. In 2023, the government considered a proposal to close the program entirely, but this was ultimately rejected. Instead, the legislation was reformed to remove the real estate investment routes. As of October 2023, the main pathway to the Golden Visa is through a qualifying fund investment, set at €500,000.