Portugal Golden Visa is a five-year residency by investment program for non-EU nationals. The Residency by Investment Portugal program offers a range of benefits like minimum seven days stay in Portugal per year, high return on investment, best education, healthcare and a visa free travel in Europe’s Schengen Area, making the Golden Visa Portugal the best option for EU residency.

Why Choose Portugal?

Portugal is considered one of the safest and most peaceful countries in the world. It has a stable political and economic environment, offering one of the lowest costs of living in Western Europe, combined with a high standard of life. Other benefits of Portugal Golden Visa include Portugal’s warm climate and beautiful landscapes.

Portugal Residency by Investment Program Benefits

The Key Benefits of the Portugal Golden Visa 2025.

Visa-Free Travel

Portugal Golden Visa holders and their families can enjoy free travel to 27+ European countries within the Schengen zone without applying for separate visas.

Easy EU Residency

Non-EU investors can live, work and study in Portugal by maintaining a stay of 7 days or more per year, without the need to relocate permanently.

Better Education and Healthcare

Portugal is popular for its high quality of life. Residency by Investment Portugal holders and their families can access Portugal’s public healthcare and educational institutions.  

Permanent Residency and Citizenship

The Portugal Golden Visa investors can apply for Portugal permanent residency or citizenship after five years while keeping other citizenships, as Portugal allows dual nationality.

Attractive Tax Benefits

Non-habitual residents (NHR) may enjoy reduced or zero tax rates on foreign income for up to 10 years. The qualified NHR can enjoy benefits like:

•  A flat 20% income tax rate if you are working in Portugal in a high-value profession such as tech, engineering or medical fields.
• No taxes on wealth, inheritance, or gifts in most cases.

To benefit from the NHR regime, you‘ll need to meet a few simple conditions.
You must not have been a tax resident in Portugal in the past 5 years, and once you’ve moved, you’ll need to register as a resident and apply for NHR status before March 31st of the year after your residency begins. 

Family Reunification

Spouse, dependent children (under 18 or students), and dependent parents of either applicant or spouse can be included under a single Golden Visa Application. All included family members enjoy the same residency rights and benefits.

Want to Invest in a Portugal Golden Visa 2025? Here’s the Complete Guide

Investors can choose from the following investment options to get residency in Portugal.

Investment Funds

One of the most popular Portugal Golden Visa investment options is the investment funds. The minimum fund investment in venture capital and private equity is €500,000, registered with the Portuguese Securities Market Commission (CMVM). The investment funds focus on sectors like energy, industry and technology.

The key points to remember about this option are:

•  At least 60% of the fund capital must be invested in Portugal.
• Funds cannot be linked to real estate.
• The Funds usually have a fixed period of 5 to 10 years, during which investors can hold their investment.

Job Creation

Investors must establish a business in Portugal that creates at least ten full-time jobs. The number is decreased to eight in areas with low population density.

Research Activities

Portugal Investors must invest a minimum of €500,000 in recognized public or private scientific research institutions. This step is the ideal option for investors with academic, innovation or research interests.

Culture Heritage or Arts Donation

Investors must invest a minimum of €250,000 in a fund that preserves the country’s national heritage or supports the Arts. The amount can be reduced by 20% to €200,000 in areas with low population density.

Big Updates to Portugal’s Golden Visa (2023-2025)

In recent years, Portugal has made some big changes to its Golden Visa Program, shifting its focus in a way that Portugal invites and encourages foreign investors to support its growth. 

Real Estate No Longer an Option

If you have been thinking of buying a property in Portugal to secure a Golden Visa, real estate is no longer an option. Whether it’s a house, apartment or commercial unit, property investment is not a valid path now. The government made this change to redirect funds into areas that can create a wider economic and social impact.

Focus on Purposeful Investments

The program now focuses on meaningful investments like funding innovation, scientific research, culture, and job creation. These options not only benefit the Portuguese economy but also reward those who invest with impact.

Faster Processing

The Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) now manages the program, which has replaced SEF. This update made the immigration process more efficient and reduced the delays.

With these changes, Portugal’s Golden Visa has become even more appealing to investors who want to contribute to the country’s future.

Who can apply for the Portugal Golden Visa?

The basic requirements for the Portugal Immigration Investment are:

Age and Nationality

You must be at least 18 years old or more and a citizen of a country outside the EU, EEA, and Switzerland.

Clean Criminal Record

You must have no previous criminal record both, in Portugal and your home country..

Minimum Stay Requirement

You are only required to spend 7 days per year in Portugal. This requirement makes the Portugal Residency by Investment Program ideal for investors who do not want to relocate.

Legal Source of Funds

You will need to show that the money used for the investment comes from legal sources.

Maintain Investment

You must hold your investment for at least 5 years to remain eligible for Portugal’s Residency by Investment Program.

General Health

There is no official medical test, but you should be in good health, especially for residency purposes.

How can you apply for the Portugal Residency by Investment Program?

The Portugal Golden Visa process firstly includes an assessment of the main applicant.

Here’s a step by step guide to the application process.

Initial Assessment

The application process initially includes an assessment of the main applicant at Saad Ahsan Residency and Citizenship. In this step, we guide you about:

• The Portugal Residency by Investment Program
•  Investment options
•  Documentation

Checking the Validity of Documents and Investment

In the second step, the Portuguese authorities check whether the documents and investment are valid.

Investment Options and Application

In the third step, an investment is made, and the application is submitted. The investment options are:

• Funds
• Donations
• Job Creation
• Cultural and Research Activities

Golden Visa Approval

In the last step, the authorities approve the application for the residency by investment program and issue the residency permit.

Application Timeline

The application process typically takes 6 to 12 months, depending on the investment route and document verification.

Ready to start your journey with the Portugal Golden Visa?

Let the team at Saad Ahsan Residency and Citizenship help you unlock the benefits of Portugal’s Residency by Investment Program (RBI). Whether you are exploring the best investment options or planning a better future for your family, we are here to guide you at every step.

Get in touch today for a personalized consultation and take the first step forward in securing EU residency through Portugal’s golden visa.