The Portuguese ‘Golden Visa’ program serves to grant foreign investors a right of residence in Portugal, enabling them to enter, live, work or study anywhere in the country and drawing a clear path to the citizenship. Initially, successful applicants are given residence permit valid for one year, which can be renewed for two successive periods of two years. After 6-year of residency, an application for citizenship can be filed.

To be admissible for Portugal’s ‘Golden Visa’ program, the applicant must either purchase a real estate with specific value thresholds, or make other types of investment, including financing a business or capital transfers. The investment must be maintained for a minimum of 5 years from the date the residency permit is granted. The real estate property can be rented out.

Applicants are required to make 4 trips to Portugal during the five-year residency period. First two visits to start legal process, make investment and provide biometrics, then two times for renewals of the residency permit. There is no language, educational or managerial experience requirements for program participants.