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Portugal | EU Golden VISA
Secure residency in Portugal with expert-led guidance
Starts at €250,000
EU Visa Free
6 Months Processing Time
portugal | Starts at €250,000 | EU Visa Free
Essential Information
Country: Portugal
Capital: Lisbon
Population: 10.2M
Language: Portuguese, English
Timezone: GMT+0
Currency: Euro (EUR)
VISA Free Access: EU VISA Free
Program Started: 2012
Program Overview
Portugal’s Golden Visa is one of the EU’s most strategic and lifestyle-rich residency programs. It offers investors and their families a pathway to live, travel, and eventually naturalise in Europe — all without the need to relocate.
With just 7 days per year of required presence, you can maintain global flexibility while enjoying EU rights and Schengen mobility. Portugal blends old-world charm, modern infrastructure, and a robust legal framework — making it a favourite among entrepreneurs, investors, and internationally minded families.
Investment & Pricing Options
Choose from multiple routes starting from €250,000, including:
€250,000 donation to cultural preservation
€500,000 in regulated investment funds (PE/VC funds, 60% Portugal-based)
€500,000 in scientific R&D
Use our Quote Calculator to explore all-inclusive pricing by route and family size — instantly compare Portugal to other residency or citizenship programs and find the perfect match for your goals.
Eligibility & Dependents
Applicants must be 18+, hold a clean criminal record, and show proof of funds. No language tests or management experience is required during residency. You can include:
Your spouse
Children
Dependent parents or in-laws
Just 7 days per year in Portugal maintains residency status. To qualify for citizenship after 5 years, applicants must pass a basic Portuguese language test and meet standard legal checks. Dual citizenship is allowed, and the EU passport is passed to future generations.
Application Timeline & Process
Portugal’s process is structured and efficient. From investment to residence card typically takes 6–9 months. Citizenship eligibility begins after 5 years of legal residency.
Choose investment path
Open bank account & obtain tax ID
Finalise investment & prepare documentation
Submit application, complete biometrics
Receive 2-year residence permit (renewable every 2 years)
Apply for naturalisation in year 5
Free From Borders manages every step end-to-end — from fund selection to SEF coordination and renewals.
Why choose Portugal?
Portugal offers more than a visa — it offers lifestyle, mobility, and a springboard to EU citizenship. As a resident, you’ll enjoy Schengen travel, high-quality healthcare, and world-class education.
You also gain access to Portugal’s Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) tax regime, with exemptions on most foreign income and reduced domestic tax rates for 10 years.
Residency alone doesn’t trigger taxation — you must live 183+ days or establish a habitual home. Portugal remains Europe’s most flexible, stable, and globally admired investment residency program.
What Are the Procedures and Timeline for the Portugal Residency by Investment Program?
Once onboarded with Free From Borders, the Portugal Golden Visa process involves due diligence, investment completion, document preparation, and biometric submission. Applications typically take 6 months to be approved. After 5 years of maintaining residency (with just 7 days per year in-country), clients may apply for Portuguese citizenship.
Can I obtain residency in Portugal while retaining my current passport?
Yes. Portugal’s Golden Visa program permits you to retain your original citizenship, and only requires an average of 7 days per year in Portugal to maintain your residency. Portugal also allows dual citizenship, so you won’t need to renounce your current passport if you choose to apply for naturalisation.
Legal Basis for Portugal Residency by Investment:
The Portugal Golden Visa is governed by Law No. 23/2007, amended by Law No. 102/2017 and further updated in 2023, under the framework for granting residence permits to third-country nationals who invest in Portugal.
Which countries can i travel to Visa Free in the EU?
At present, the Portugal Residency Visa offers visa-free access to the countries listed below. Please note that these are subject to frequent changes and may be updated periodically.
Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.
We advise consulting with your Free From Borders advisor for the most up-to-date information at the time of your application. We are not responsible for any changes to the above that occur during or after your application is completed, as these changes are beyond our control and at the discretion of foreign governments' border policies.
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