Residence permit

Portugal offers several pathways to a residence permit, including employment, study, family reunification, and investment. The permit allows its holder to live in Portugal, access public services, open bank accounts, and travel visa-free within the Schengen Area. Investors can obtain residence through the Portugal Golden Visa. It grants the same core residence rights. Unlike other permits, it does not require the holder to relocate permanently to Portugal.

Vladlena Baranova

There are several ways to obtain a residence permit in Portugal. Purchasing fund units is now the most commonly chosen option by Immigrant Invest clients. Portugal’s Golden Visa fund option requires a minimum investment of €500,000 and allows investors to delegate portfolio management to licensed professionals. To qualify for the Golden Visa, the fund must invest at least 60% of its capital in Portuguese companies and have a minimum maturity of 5 years. The Golden Visa programme grants residence in Portugal, visa-free travel across the Schengen Area, and the right to apply for permanent residence after 5 years.

Zlata Erlach

Portugal remains a strong Plan B in the EU: safe, warm, Atlantic-facing, and expat-friendly. The Golden Visa gives investors and their families the opportunity to become Portuguese residents without the need to relocate. The programme no longer works exactly as it did a few years ago. Investment routes, tax rules, and citizenship timelines have changed. This guide covers the newest 2026 details on the Portugal Golden Visa: investment options, costs, requirements, benefits, timelines, and risks.

Vladlena Baranova

Portugal has become one of the main destinations for families seeking to secure residency in a stable, well-developed EU country. Over 1.5 million foreign citizens live in Portugal, and at least 9% of them moved with children.\[1\]  One of the ways to move to Portugal is the Golden Visa, which is a residence-by-investment programme designed for non-EU investors and their families. Applicants get residence permits, access to Portuguese healthcare and education, and travel freely across the Schengen Area. This guide explains how the Golden Visa works for families in 2026, including investment options, costs, application steps, and key aspects of relocating with children and other dependants.

Zlata Erlach

Portugal offers several residency routes for non-EU nationals, including the Golden Visa for investors and the Global Talent Visa for highly qualified professionals. The Golden Visa starts from €250,000, while participation in the Global Talent route costs €170,000. In this article, we explain which option is better suited for different types of applicants.

Vladlena Baranova

The Portugal Golden Visa remains one of the EU’s most sought-after residence-by-investment programmes in 2026. As of the latest available data, around 38,000 residence permits have been issued to investors and their family members\[1\]. Understanding the Portugal Golden Visa processing time is key to planning the application properly. The full process, starting with Due Diligence and ending with the physical residence card, takes at least 12 months. This guide explains each stage of the process, the fees involved, the current backlog, and the realistic timeline applicants should expect.

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UK citizens can only spend 90 days at a time in the EU without a visa, making long stays or a new life abroad more complicated. At the same time, more British citizens are looking to move somewhere with better weather, lower living costs, and a slower pace of life. Portugal ticks all the boxes and offers several visa options that make long-term stays possible.  For those with enough income or savings, the most popular choices are the D7 visa for passive income, the D8 visa for remote work, and the Golden Visa obtained by investment. This article explains how to move to Portugal and what to expect from life there in 2026.

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At first sight, Spain and Portugal have similar climates, geography, and culture. Even more, in the past, they were a united country. Both countries have a Golden Visa Program, which allows you to obtain a residence permit in exchange for investment in the country’s economy. Despite the similarity of countries, these programs are different. Let’s figure these differences out.

Vladlena Baranova

Mediterranean climate year-round, welcoming locals, fresh produce, and endless opportunities for exploration are just a few of the reasons why so many foreigners choose Greece as their new home. Today, around 750,000 foreign nationals reside legally in the country. Greece offers a welcoming environment for nearly everyone — whether the goal is to work, study, reunite with family, invest, or simply enjoy life on passive income. This article explores the types of residence permits available in Greece, along with the key benefits of living in the country.

Vladlena Baranova

Americans make up around 22% of the foreign population in Portugal. It is one of the top European destinations for US expats. Portugal is known for its warm climate, affordable cost of living, and high quality of life. It offers a peaceful environment with a calmer life filled with joy. This guide explains what Americans need to know about relocating to Portugal: residence permit options, cost of living, and practical tips for settling into life in Portugal.

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Portugal does not charge gift or inheritance tax. However, the property owner must pay a stamp duty in any real estate transaction, amounting to 0.8% of the cadastral value. The immovable property tax in Portugal ranges from 0.3 to 0.5% of the total real estate value for urban properties. For rural properties, it’s 0.8%. IMI is paid annually. Foreign owners of Portuguese villas and apartments pay taxes regardless of residency status. Learn about taxes levied on real estate in Portugal and possible ways to reduce the associated expenses.

Vladlena Baranova

Since October 2022, Portugal has been issuing Digital Nomad Visas, allowing remote workers and freelancers from non-EU countries to obtain residency. To get the visa, one must show a monthly income of at least €3,680 from sources outside Portugal and at least €11,040 in their savings account. Let’s take a closer look at the process of applying for the Digital Nomad Visa, the costs associated with it and the benefits it provides.

Vladlena Baranova

The Portugal D7 visa is also known as the Passive Income Visa. Any non-EU citizen with a passive income of at least €920, or $1,085, per month is eligible for it if they buy or rent residential property in the country. The visa allows foreigners to travel to Portugal and apply for a two-year residence permit, which they can later renew. In 5 years, expats will be eligible for citizenship by naturalization. After the 2024 presidential election, many Americans think about immigration to Portugal. In this article, we explain the rules of obtaining the D7 visa and how US citizens can get it.

Vladlena Baranova

Life on passive income gives the privilege to choose a more comfortable country to live in, and Portugal is among the best options. The Portugal D7 Visa allows individuals with a monthly passive income of at least €920 to relocate to one of the European countries and apply for a residence permit together with their family. To apply for a D7 visa, one must open a bank account and obtain a taxpayer number in Portugal. The applicant should also rent or purchase property of any price. The visa is issued for 4 months, giving you enough time to enter Portugal and finalise your residence permit. Let’s see how to obtain the D7 visa and how long the procedure takes.

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The Golden Visa is a way to obtain a residence permit by investing in the country’s economy. Portugal offers five investment options, the most popular being the purchase of investment fund units for €500,000. The processing time ranges between 8 and 10 months. Let’s explore the benefits that attract people to the Portuguese program.

Vladlena Baranova

Portugal is a friendly and welcoming country, ranked second among the best places to retire according to the Annual Global Retirement Index 2024. Many people from around the world are drawn to this country for its relaxed lifestyle, mild climate, peaceful surroundings, and low cost of living. Residency in Portugal can be obtained through the D7 retirement visa, which requires a passive income of at least €11,040 per year. Alternatively, residency can also be achieved by contributing a minimum of €250,000 to the Portuguese economy through the Golden Visa program.

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Around 150 banks operate in Portugal, both local and international. They provide a wide range of services, such as opening bank accounts, getting loans and mortgages, investing and many others to individuals and legal entities. Learn how the banking system in Portugal works, which banks are the best and how a foreigner can open an account.

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Since Brexit, UK citizens need a residence permit to live in Portugal. One of the easiest ways to obtain it is after a D7 Visa. This visa is issued to financially independent persons with a minimum passive income of €920 per month. This article explains the requirements, procedures, and benefits of the Portugal D7 Visa for UK citizens.

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Portugal and Cyprus offer Golden Visa programs that allow foreigners to obtain residence permits in exchange for investments. The investment threshold in Portugal is €250,000, while Cyprus requires a minimum of €300,000. This article compares the two programs to help determine which option better aligns with your needs.

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At the end of 2023, Portugal introduced sweeping reforms to its Golden Visa programme. These changes sparked confusion among investors worldwide, with many assuming it had been shut down entirely. In truth, the Portugal Golden Visa remains active. It has just been reshaped to align with the country’s broader economic and social goals. In this guide, we explain what’s changed, who can still qualify, and why Portugal continues to be a compelling destination for residence by investment in Europe.

Vladlena Baranova

Portugal and Greece have Golden Visa programs that allow foreigners to obtain residence permits by investment. The minimum eligible sum is €250,000 in both countries. In this article, we compare Portugal and Greece Golden Visas, so that you can decide which investment program suits you better.

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The Portugal Golden Visa offers Canadian citizens an affordable pathway to European residency and eventual citizenship after 5 years, with investments starting at €250,000. Portugal’s safety, a mild climate with abundant sunshine, and cost‑effective living make it a popular choice for Canadians seeking new opportunities in the European Union.

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When creating a company or buying a ready-made business in Portugal, a foreigner receives a D2 visa. On that basis, they come to the country and apply for a temporary residence permit. There is no threshold for business investment. At the same time, entrepreneurs need to confirm they have at least €11,040 to live in the country for a year.

Vladlena Baranova

Portugal does not offer citizenship directly by investment. However, it does feature a Golden Visa Program, which allows affluent foreigners to invest a minimum of €250,000 in the Portuguese economy in exchange for a residence permit. Should the investor retain their Golden Visa status consecutively for five years, they become eligible to apply for citizenship by naturalisation, benefiting from more favourable conditions compared to other applicants. Learn about the citizenship requirements for investors and compare them with the non-investment paths to obtaining a Portugal second passport.

Vladlena Baranova

The HQA visa offers highly qualified specialists a pathway to relocate to Portugal under an employment contract. Applicants must submit documents for a temporary residence permit within four months following their visa’s approval. After five years of residency in Portugal, they become eligible to apply for either permanent residence or citizenship. Discover more about relocating to Portugal for work and securing a residence permit for your family.

Zlata Erlach