In 2012, the Portuguese government launched the Portugal Golden Visa initiative. It has become the most popular residency-by-investment program in Europe primarily because it allows applicants to obtain Portuguese citizenship after just five years. The program requires minimal commitment, as you only need to spend seven days per year in Portugal and make a qualifying investment.
Only Citizenship by Investment Opportunity with Investment Return
Throughout the past few years, Portugal’s economy has been strong. Both tourists and foreigners have found it to be a desirable location. Therefore, investing in Portugal is a wise financial decision. It enables you to profit from one of Europe’s fastest-growing economies. Investing in funds or real estate may yield substantial profits, particularly in places such as Lisbon and Porto.
Portugal is still among the most affordable nations in Europe, even with its steady economy and excellent standard of living. For this reason, Portugal Citizenship by Investment, commonly known as the Portugal Golden Visa, is an attractive option for investors seeking residency and eventual citizenship in Europe.
The option to invest in real estate is no longer available for Portugal’s Golden Visa application as of October 2023. Due to the unavailable option, investors were able to purchase €280,000 worth of real estate and obtain a golden visa. For the €500,000 Portugal Golden Visa Program, there are now a number of fund investment choices with investment returns.
Change in the Portugal Citizenship Law
According to the citizenship statute in effect when the Portuguese Golden Visa program originally began, residents may only seek citizenship every six years. The six-year threshold was lowered to a five-year minimum in 2018 due to changes made to the law. After meeting the 35-day stay criteria within five years, candidates for Portugal Golden Visas can receive their Portuguese passports.
2024 Update: The President of Portugal has approved the Portuguese Citizenship Law. The “application waiting period” will be deducted from the five-year citizenship duration for applicants for Portuguese Golden Visas. The date of the initial residence application will mark the beginning of the five-year term. Therefore, the acceptance date of the residence application is irrelevant. The new law will go into force soon after it is published in the official gazette.
Applicants Are Not Required to Relocate to Portugal.
The majority of European citizenship by investment and residence schemes require the investor to live in the nation for the majority of the year. In contrast, Portugal simply asks Golden Visa applicants to visit the country for an average of seven days every year for five years. That means that after just 35 days in Portugal during a five-year period, Golden Visa holders can seek citizenship.
Variety of Investment Methods
A Golden Visa in Portugal can be obtained through a variety of investment choices. These consist of donations, firm formation, and fund investments. The path that works best for you is up to you. Later in this essay, we will quickly review the possibilities for investing.
Requirements
To apply for Portuguese citizenship, you are required to spend an average of seven days per year in Portugal over a five-year period. Additionally, there are a few important prerequisites you must meet. These include maintaining a clean criminal record, ensuring that you have no unpaid taxes in Portugal, and successfully passing a Portuguese language test. These requirements are essential to qualify for citizenship and demonstrate your commitment to integrating into Portuguese society.
Portuguese Language Requirements
To become a Portuguese citizen, one must pass the A2 level basic language exam (CIPLE).
Children under the age of ten can take an adaptation of the test. Children who attend a Portuguese-speaking school or who can provide a statement of competency may be excused from the test between the ages of 10 and 18.
For more information, see our page on the Portuguese citizenship language test.
