Portugal Golden Visa
The Portugal Golden Visa, explained
An EU base, without moving full-time.
Expatsi connects you with Europe's leading golden visa team to plan your investment and residency the right way.
Why Portugal?
A better quality of life is within reach.
Portugal pairs a lower cost of living with excellent healthcare and easy access to the rest of Europe, without giving up the comforts of home.
Lower cost of living
A high quality of life for a fraction of U.S. coastal prices.
Excellent healthcare
Strong public and affordable private healthcare.
Easy access to Europe
Short, affordable trips across the continent.
Portugal Golden Visa
Residency through investment.
The Golden Visa gives you Portuguese residency in return for a qualifying investment, now usually through investment funds since the real-estate route closed in 2023. The big draw is the low stay requirement: you only need about two weeks a year in Portugal to keep it. The rules changed recently and the citizenship clock got longer in 2025, which is why most people work with a specialist. Our partner Jason Swan at Holborn Assets has advised on 250+ successful applications.
The Requirements
Golden Visa (Residency by Investment)
Residency by investment program. No changes to residency rights in 2025, but citizenship pathway may be affected by new rules increasing residency requirement to 10 years for most applicants (7 for CPLP nationals), A2 Portuguese, civic knowledge test, and no criminal record for imprisonable offenses. Applications submitted before June 19, 2025, with complete documentation, may still qualify under the 5-year rule. Fully digital application process as of 2025.
- Processing time
- ~90 days
- Timeline
- 5 years to citizenship (if applied before June 19, 2025 and file is complete; otherwise, new rules may apply)
- Difficulty
- Easy
Key requirements
- Investment in scientific/technological research, cultural heritage preservation, or creation of at least 10 jobs in Portugal (real estate no longer eligible)
- Minimum stay: 7 days per year or 14 days per 2-year period
- Clean criminal record
- Valid health insurance
Scouting Trips
Before you move, see Portugal like a future resident.
- We walk neighborhoods
- Meet local experts
- Tour healthcare facilities
- Explore housing options
- Help you understand what daily life actually feels like
Portugal partners who can help
Tania Teixeira
Portugal Guide
Portugal
Holborn Assets
Portugal Golden Visa
Algarve, Portugal
Viv Europe
Portugal Relocation Specialist
Lisbon, Portugal
Simon Conn
International Mortgage Lending
United Kingdom
Pathways
Alternative Education Coach
Lisbon, Portugal
Heather L.
Portugal Local Guide
Portugal
Popular Areas
Where Americans are building a new life.
Porto
Charming, walkable, and rich in culture. A favorite for expats seeking authenticity.
Lisbon
Vibrant, international, and full of life. Perfect for those who love city living.
Silver Coast
Quiet coastal towns, beautiful beaches, and a relaxed pace of life.
Algarve
Sunshine, stunning beaches, and a laid-back lifestyle in the south of Portugal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your questions, answered.
Does the Golden Visa lead to citizenship?
It can, but the timeline lengthened in 2025. A specialist can tell you exactly where the rules stand for your situation.
Who handles the Golden Visa process?
We connect you with Jason Swan at Holborn Assets, one of Europe’s leading golden-visa advisors, who has worked on 250+ successful applications.
Is the Golden Visa still worth it in 2026?
For investors who want EU residency without relocating, yes. But the citizenship timeline got longer in 2025, so it’s worth getting current advice before you commit.
How much do I need to invest for the Portugal Golden Visa?
Typically around €500,000 through a qualifying investment fund. The real-estate route closed in 2023, so most people now go the fund route.
How much time do I have to spend in Portugal?
Very little, an average of about two weeks a year. That low stay requirement is the main appeal for investors who aren’t ready to move full-time.
Other ways to move to Portugal
Move to Portugal on the D2 Entrepreneur Visa
Bring your business, or start one.
Move to Portugal on the D7 Visa
You don't have to figure it out alone.
Move to Portugal on the D8 Digital Nomad Visa
Keep your job. Change your address.
You can move abroad.
Thousands of Americans have already done it.
Why not you?