Unlike other Golden Visa programmes, it stands out for providing a straightforward path to permanent residency or Portuguese citizenship in just five years.

Since launching in 2012, it has granted residency to over 12,000 international investors and their families, raising over €7.5 billion. The Portuguese Golden Visa offers a range of relatively affordable investment options, including company creation, donation, and fund investment.

The minimum investment ranges from a €200,000 donation to a €500,000 fund investment to obtain a residence permit, with the processing time for a Portuguese Golden Visa being approximately 8 to 12 months.

On June 23, 2025, the Portuguese government proposed changes to the nationality law that may affect Golden Visa holders, such as extending the minimum residency period required to apply for citizenship from five to 10 years.

In addition, new requirements for naturalisation are a 2-level Portuguese language proficiency, a civic knowledge test, and no criminal record for crimes punishable by imprisonment.

These reforms have ended real estate eligibility, redirecting foreign capital toward investment funds, with wealth applicants increasingly opting for venture capital and private equity funds, some of which diversify into other assets, including classic cars.

This shift seeks to stimulate innovation and business growth while easing the pressure on Portugal’s housing market and boosting economic diversification.