EU Residency With Portugal’s Golden Visa

Ao adquirir um Portugal Golden Visa, torna-se cidadão português e, portanto, cidadão europeu, dando-lhe o direito de viver e trabalhar em qualquer outro país da UE, incluindo Espanha. Contacte-nos ou clique aqui para mais informações.

While other Programs remains an option for physical real estate, Portugal is the premier choice for investors prioritizing freedom of movement and institutional security. Portugal’s Golden Visa requires only 7 days of stay per year on average to maintain residency and reach permanent residency eligibility after 5 years and later, full citizenship. In contrast, Greek citizenship generally requires actual residence (183+ days per year) for at least 7 years. Furthermore, Portugal’s Investment Fund route offers a professionally managed, tax-efficient structure with a clear exit strategy, avoiding the maintenance burdens, local taxes, and liquidity challenges associated with owning real estate.

The right option depends on your objectives, but for most international investors, the Golden Visa offers a more flexible and strategic approach. The D7 Visa is designed for individuals planning to relocate to Portugal and establish tax residency, typically requiring more than 183 days per year in the country. The D2 Visa, on the other hand, is intended for entrepreneurs actively building and managing a business in Portugal. In contrast, the Golden Visa is structured for investors who want to secure EU residency and a path to citizenship without the need to relocate or disrupt their existing lifestyle. With minimal stay requirements and no obligation to establish tax residency, it allows for long-term optionality while maintaining flexibility across jurisdictions. For many US-based professionals and internationally mobile investors, this makes the Golden Visa a more practical and strategic solution.

O requisito de estadia mínima previsto no Programa Portugal Golden Visa é de 14 dias em Portugal a cada 2 anos. Contacte-nos ou clique aqui para mais informações.

After maintaining your Golden Visa investment for 5 years and meeting the required stay and legal conditions, you become eligible to apply for permanent residency in Portugal, and after an aditional 5 years of holding your residency permit and meeting the basic language and legal requirements, you become eligible to apply for Portuguese citizenship. Permanent residency allows you to live and work in Portugal indefinitely, with access to public services such as healthcare and education, and visa-free travel within the Schengen Area. At this stage, you are no longer required to maintain your investment and may choose to sell or redeem it, depending on the investment structure. Please note that obtaining permanent residency is subject to meeting additional requirements, including a clean criminal record and other applicable legal criteria.

Beyond the €500,000 investment, you should budget for government application fees, legal due diligence, and tax representation. As a boutique firm, we provide a transparent breakdown of all associated costs during our initial strategy session to ensure no surprises.