Golden visa Portugal.
(residence permit for investors)

This type of investment became the most popular way for applicants to obtain a “golden visa” in 2024 and 2025. Investing in funds is the only way to recoup your investment in 5-10 years, with an annual return of 3 to 10%.

Investment amount: purchase of fund shares worth at least €500,000.
Fund conditions: The fund cannot be directly or indirectly linked to the real estate sector.

Maturity ≥ 5 years, and at least 60% of the fund's capital must be invested in companies headquartered in Portugal.

The fund must be registered and regulated by the Portuguese Securities Market Commission (CMVM).
Investments must be held for at least 5 years.

Key benefits

Potential financial return: unlike donation-based options (such as cultural investments), this is a repayable investment. It is managed by professionals with the aim of generating financial returns, although, as with any investment, the return of capital is not guaranteed and depends on the fund's performance.

Professional management and diversification: the funds are managed by experienced industry professionals, which frees investors from the need to actively manage their assets. In addition, capital is distributed across a diversified portfolio of assets, which helps to reduce risk.

Tax benefits: Income earned from these funds is generally not taxable for non-residents of Portugal. This is a significant tax advantage that optimizes the potential return on investment.

Transparency and security: CMVM regulation and annual audits conducted by external organizations, such as major auditing firms, ensure the reliability and security of investments.

Wide range of sectors: Eligible funds invest in dynamic sectors of the Portuguese economy, such as technology and innovation (AI, fintech, nanotechnology), renewable energy, healthcare and biotechnology, as well as tourism, offering investors the opportunity to participate in the country's future growth

This is the option with the lowest investment amount, which is becoming increasingly popular after the end of the possibility to invest in real estate.

Investment amount: €250,000.
The amount can be reduced by 20% to €200,000 if the investment is made in areas with low population density. Areas with low population density are defined as regions with less than 100 inhabitants per km² or with a GDP per capita below 75% of the national average.
Investment conditions: the capital must be invested in one of two ways:

Support for artistic production: investment in projects such as cinema, music, art exhibitions, or festivals. Projects must be approved by the Portuguese authorities.

Restoration or preservation of national cultural heritage: donations for the preservation of cultural heritage, such as the restoration of historical monuments or archaeological sites.

Investments must be channelled through specific organisations, such as public administration bodies, public institutions, public foundations, private foundations with the status of public organisations, and others.

Government approval: GEPAC (Government Economic Planning and Assessment Committee) is responsible for issuing a statement confirming the investment, which is an important step in the process. This includes preliminary government approval, which can be obtained within 15 days.

This type of investment is non-refundable.

Amount of investment: transfer of capital in the amount of at least €500,000.

Application: funds must be invested in research activities carried out by public or private research institutions that are part of the national science and technology system.

Reduction for sparsely populated areas: the investment amount may be reduced by 20% if the investment is made in sparsely populated areas

Option 1: Direct job creation:

Creation and maintenance of at least 10 full-time jobs.

In areas with low population density, the requirement is reduced to 8 jobs.

This option does not require a minimum capital investment.

Option 2: Investment in a commercial company

Invest at least €500,000 in the creation of a new company in Portugal, combined with the creation of 5 permanent jobs for a minimum period of 3 years.

Alternatively, you can increase the share capital of an existing Portuguese company by the same amount, creating or maintaining a minimum number of jobs.

To be eligible for a Golden Visa renewal, the investment must be maintained for a minimum of five years. After this period, you can apply for Portuguese citizenship

Golden Visa residence permits are issued for a period of two years. After the first two years, the residence permit can be extended for another three years. After the fifth year, you can apply for Portuguese citizenship

Yes, investing in low-density areas offers a significant advantage: a 20% reduction in the minimum investment required. For example, the usual investment amount of €500,000 in these areas is reduced to €400,000.

Even after the legislative changes introduced in October 2023, the 20% discount for investments in low-density areas remains in place. This reduction applies to certain categories of investment, including job creation, artistic production, and scientific research

Yes, it is possible to invest €500,000 in a single fund or divide this amount between several funds

Spouses and children under 18, as well as parents over 65, if they are financially dependent on the investor

No, it is sufficient to be in Portugal for 7 days in the first year and then 14 days during your residency, i.e., over 2 years. You can either live in the country permanently or, conversely, not become a resident of Portugal

Only investing through funds will allow you to receive guaranteed returns on your investment. These returns can vary greatly, ranging from interest rates of 3-10% to other benefits. For example, large hotel chains allow investors to stay for about a week a year for free at any of their branches around the world.

The Golden Visa itself does not entail any tax obligations.

The visa holder becomes a tax resident only if he or she stays in the country for more than 183 days a year.

The tax on investment income is 14% for residents and nonexistent for nonresidents