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The Portugal Golden Visa Program offers non-EU investors a pathway to residency and eventual citizenship through strategic investment in funds, culture, or innovation.
In this guide, you’ll learn how the program works in 2025, the latest investment routes, tax advantages, and how Bluewater Immigration helps you secure approval with confidence.
You must maintain your investment for at least five years
To keep your residency valid, you must maintain physical presence in Portugal for at least 7 days for the first year of your Golden Visa and14 days for every two-year period afterward.
Invest in a regulated venture or equity fund (≥ 60% in Portuguese companies).
Support national heritage or arts projects.
Fund innovation or R&D in accredited institutions.
Create or expand a Portuguese business with local employment.
Required Documentation For Application
A NIF is a Portuguese Tax Identification Number. Essential for legal and financial activities in Portugal, you can obtain one by applying at a local tax office in Portugal.
Your investment funds must enter Portugal through a Portuguese bank account. After opening your Portuguese account, transfer funds and execute your investment to ensure a transparent paper trail.
Payable to the Portuguese government. AIMA (Agency for Integration, Migration, and Asylum) occasionally updates the fee schedule.
| Fee Type | Amount per Person (EUR) |
|---|---|
| Initial Application Fee | €618.60 (paid at the time of application submission) |
| Golden Visa Issuance Fee | €6,179.40 (paid upon approval, to issue the residence permit card) |
| Renewal Fee | €3,090.40 (paid at each renewal at years 2 and 4)* |
| Total Government Fees over 5 Years | ~€12,978.80 for a single applicant (approximately €25,837.60 for a couple, €51,915.20 for a family of four)** |
*Note: The residence permit lasts two years, renewed twice before five years, with equal renewal fees per applicant.*
From initial submission to getting your first card, the Golden Visa process can take around 12-18 months. Biometric renewal appointments are being automatically scheduled in chronological order of applicants; you will get a 30-90 day notice of your biometric date.
Here’s what to expect from year 0 to year 6:
Golden Visa approved and residence permit issued, valid for 2 years. You have your first residence card.
Spend at least 7 days in Portugal to satisfy the requirement.
Spend at least 14 days total during years 1 and 2. Apply for renewal, do biometrics again, and the permit is renewed for another 2 years.
Continue to fulfill minimum stay (14 days in the 2-year period).
Your residence permit is up for second renewal. Apply for another 2-year period.
Counting from the initial permit date, you become eligible to apply for permanent residency and/or citizenship. You do not have to wait for the Golden Visa to finish its full term if you hit the 5-year mark in between renewals before applying.
If you haven’t applied for citizenship yet, the Golden Visa would require another renewal You can maintain the Golden Visa status until citizenship is granted.
Portugal’s Golden Visa program remains popular in 2025. However, potential investors should be aware of some proposed changes that could affect the program at a later date.
The Portuguese Council of Ministers have proposed extending Golden Visa citizenship eligibility from 5 to 10 years, counted from residence permit issuance. However, the draft law remains unapproved and existing residents follow current 5-year rules.
A similar proposal has suggested adding new requirements for citizenship applicants, such as a basic civic knowledge test, stricter language tests, and community integration.
Since 2024, Portugal’s Golden Visa process is fully digital with online document uploads. AIMA’s 2025 “mega-operation” aims to reduce a backlog of over 45,000 pending cases, but applicants still face lengthy processing times despite gradual improvements.
Portugal launched the Residence Permit For Solidarity Investment Visa in 2024. This “Social Golden Visa” promotes investments in social projects like affordable housing and integration infrastructure. It complements, but does not replace, the Golden Visa, reflecting Portugal’s shift toward socially driven, publicly beneficial investment pathways.
According to the most recent official statistics, a total of 15,619 main investors and 22,000 family members benefited from the Golden Visa from its launch in October 2012 up to September 2024. The year 2024 saw a record 72% increase of new Golden Visas issued, partly due to investors rushing in before and immediately after the rule changes and the government catching up on processing.
Historically, Chinese nationals made up about half of all applicants, but recently there has been a surge of interest from Americans, as well as strong numbers from Brazil, Turkey, South Africa, and India. Americans surpassed Chinese in 2023 as the top applicant group, reflecting growing North American interest. This trend is expected to continue.
Portugal’s public system, the Serviço Nacional de Saúde (SNS), offers free or low-cost healthcare to residents, including foreigners with residency.
Portugal ranks among the safest countries globally. Violent crime is rare, and petty theft mostly occurs in crowded tourist areas. Families and solo travelers can feel secure walking almost anywhere, even at night. Emergency services are efficient, and political stability is strong. Natural disasters rarely affect urban life.
Despite rising house prices, Portugal is one of Europe’s most affordable destinations:
A two-bedroom in Lisbon costs €1,200–€1,800 monthly; Porto is 20–30% cheaper. Smaller towns offer full homes for €500–€800. Lisbon and Cascais prices exceed €4,000/m².
Expect €100–€150 monthly for electricity, water, heating, and internet.
A couple spends about €300 per month cooking at home. Local produce, seafood, and fruits are fresh and inexpensive.
Mid-range meals cost €15–€20 per person; local cafés €8–€12.
Lisbon’s monthly transit pass is around €40. Uber and taxis are cheaper than in Northern Europe; fuel averages €1.7/L.
Public schools are free (Portuguese instruction). International schools range from €5,000–€15,000 yearly.
A family of four in Lisbon might spend €3,000–€4,000 per month, while in smaller cities €2,000–€2,500 is sufficient. Many Golden Visa holders find Portugal offers excellent value for quality living.
Lisbon’s Oceanário and Zoo are major attractions. Porto’s World of Discoveries brings history to life.
Sintra’s palaces and Coimbra’s historic university inspire all ages.
Events like Santos Populares in June and Carnival bring lively parades and fireworks.
The Algarve’s calm beaches, like Praia da Marinha, are ideal for families. Zoomarine offers marine shows and water rides. Northern Portugal’s Peneda-Gerês Park and Douro Valley river cruises offer scenic adventures.
The mild climate supports year-round activities—surfing, cycling, hiking, kayaking, and playgrounds abound.
Bluewater Immigration is a boutique investment migration firm with global reach and on-the-ground expertise in Portugal. Our dedicated specialists combine international perspective with deep local insight, helping investors, families, and entrepreneurs achieve residency and long-term success in Portugal.
• Navigate every step of the Golden Visa process with confidence
• Choose the right investment option for your goals
• Prepare and pre-screen your documents for approval assurance
• Stay informed through a single, dedicated point of contact
Qualifying routes include:
• €500,000 fund investment in a regulated Portuguese venture or equity fund
• €250,000 cultural donation (€200,000 in low-density areas)
• €500,000 scientific research contribution
• Creation of 10 jobs (8 in low-density areas)
• €500,000 business investment plus 5 new jobs
Real estate purchases no longer qualify. Investments must be held five years, offering transparent, economically productive alternatives for EU residency.
