Portugal has been issuing residence permits by investment since 2012. The Golden Visa Program is popular among investors as it allows for increased mobility and offers a path to citizenship. The minimum investment amount is €250,000.
Portugal citizenship after a Golden Visa: how to obtain Portuguese nationality in 5 years
Investors can obtain Portuguese citizenship after holding a Golden Visa for 5 years. In comparison, in neighbouring Spain, investors need to wait twice as long.
The passport issued after participating in the Golden Residency program grants the same rights as one issued to individuals who obtained it at birth.
Let’s discuss the path to citizenship in Portugal if you obtain a Golden Visa.
Fact checked by Elena RudaElena Ruda
Fact checked by Elena Ruda
Elena helped over 500 investors’ families to choose and obtain second citizenship or residency. She knows the pros and cons of each investment option and improves the industry expertise at the company.
Reviewed by Vladlena BaranovaVladlena Baranova
Reviewed by Vladlena Baranova
Vladlena leads preparation to Due Diligence and application for citizenship or residency by investment. She performs independent and in-depth analysis of investors’ situations and indicates possible risks. Vladlena helped to get second passports and residence permits to over 300 investors from all over the world.
Article content
- What is a Portugal Golden Visa?
- 5 benefits of the Portugal Golden Residency Program
- Who qualifies for a Portugal Golden Visa
- Documents needed to apply for a Portugal Golden Visa
- Documents needed and other requirements to apply for Portugal citizenship after a Golden Visa
- How to prove a knowledge of the Portuguese language
- How to request the first Citizen Card
- 5 benefits of Portugal citizenship
- What to know about Portugal before moving there
- Other ways of obtaining Portugal nationality
- Key takeaways
- Frequently Asked Questions
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What is a Portugal Golden Visa?
Investors choose between the four options:
- supporting arts and cultural heritage — €250,000;
- financing research activities — €500,000;
- purchasing investment fund units — €500,000;
- opening a company or investing in an existing business.
Applicants who buy investment fund units can return the money in 5 to 10 years. If the investor and their family members remain Portuguese residents for 5 years, they qualify for permanent residence or citizenship. Golden Visa holders keep their residency by spending seven days a year in Portugal.
Starting October 2023, investors can no longer get a residence permit by purchasing property in Portugal. The changes were made according to the Mais Habitação bill signed by Portugal’s President. However, the changes do not imply that the Portugal Golden Visa program will be disabled. Investors can still participate in the program.
5 benefits of the Portugal Golden Residency Program
1. Ticket to Europe for foreign investors. Holders of Golden residency permits are allowed to live in Portugal with their families. Moreover, they can travel visa-free to the Schengen countries and stay there for up to 90 days within 180.
2. Relatively fast-track path to citizenship. The Portugal Golden Visa is a step towards a Portuguese passport. Investors can apply for citizenship after 5 years of residing in Portugal. These five years are counted differently than in other countries: the period starts when the state fee is paid for filing an application for a Golden Visa, not when the residence permit card is received.
3. Minimal stay requirements. The Portugal Golden Visa requires investors to spend only a minimum of seven days in Portugal per annum, which is beneficial for those not wishing to relocate permanently.
4. Better business opportunities. According to the 22nd EY Europe Attractiveness Survey, Portugal is the 6th most attractive country for Foreign Direct Investment.
Portugal ranks 32nd among 158 countries in the Readiness for Frontier Technologies Index, making it one of the best destinations in the world for innovative businesses. Startups are highly supported by the Portuguese government.
5. Visas for all the family. Investors can apply for a Portugal Golden Visa along with their family members, such as spouses, children and siblings under 26, and parents, if they are financially dependent on the investor.
Who qualifies for a Portugal Golden Visa
Investors over 18 years old can apply for a Portugal Golden Visa if they:
- have no criminal record or prosecution;
- have money for investments sourced outside Portugal;
- confirm having no debts in Portugal;
- are capable of confirming the legality of the income;
- bought medical insurance.
An investor’s spouse can also apply. Additionally, investors can include children under 18 in the application. Children aged 18 to 26 might be included if they are financially dependent on the investor and live with them or study at a university.
An investor’s parents qualify for Portugal’s Golden Visa if they are financially dependent on the investor. Siblings of the main applicant can be included as well if they are under 26 and in the investor’s custody.
Documents needed to apply for a Portugal Golden Visa
The list of documents required to apply for a Golden Residency Permit in Portugal includes the following:
- A passport or another valid travel document.
- 2 passport-sized photos.
- Health insurance with a minimum coverage of €30,000.
- Certificates of criminal record from the country of origin and the countries where the
- applicant resided for more than a year.
- Permission for the competent authorities to check criminal records in Portugal.
- A sworn statement in which the applicant declares that they will comply with the minimum quantitative and temporal requirements of the investment activity.
- Evidence of proper tax filing by submitting a no-debt issued up to 45 days in advance by the Tax and Customs Authority and the Social Security or, if this is impossible, a no-record return from these entities.
- The NIF, Número de Identificação Fiscal — a Portuguese tax number.
Additional documents may be required, depending on the investment option chosen. For example, it might be confirmation of transferring the funds in the case of an investment in research activities. If the investor starts a business in Portugal, they confirm the existence of an entity and the creation of at least 10 full-time jobs.
Documents needed and other requirements to apply for Portugal citizenship after a Golden Visa
Documents. To apply for citizenship within 5 years of residency, the investor collects the following:
- a valid ID, e.g. a resident card;
- a birth certificate;
- confirmation of no criminal record from all countries the applicant has lived more than 1 year since the age of 14;
- a copy of a certificate stating at least A2 level of the Portuguese language knowledge;
- a signed and completed citizenship application form — it should be signed under the supervision of a notary or an immigration officer;
- a paid fee of about €250 for the application.
All documents should be translated into Portuguese and properly legalised. The application form is signed in person at the Agency for Integration, Migration, and Asylum (AIMA). However, the applications themselves can be submitted in person or by mail to the Central Registry Office.
Applying in person is possible at the offices of the National Center for the Integration of Immigrants (Centro Nacional de Apoio à Integração de Migrantes) in Lisbon and Porto, at the Institute of State Registration and Notaries (Instituto dos Registos e Notariado, IRN) or consulates and representations of Portugal in the applicant's home country.
Applicants do not need to confirm their residence in Portugal when applying; the migration authority usually verifies this by checking foreigners against migration databases.
Who qualifies for Portuguese citizenship. The main conditions to meet to apply for citizenship are:
- Legal residence in Portugal for 5 years. Since the Golden Visa holders are not obliged to live in Portugal permanently, they only need to confirm they have resided in Portugal for 7 days a year during these 5 years.
- No convictions in Portugal. Those who committed crimes punished by a three-year prison sentence in Portugal will not obtain citizenship regardless of their previous personal or business history.
- The A2 level of Portuguese. Citizenship can only be granted to those who can confirm their proficiency in Portuguese.
How to prove a knowledge of the Portuguese language
To prove knowledge of the Portuguese language for citizenship purposes in Portugal, you need to pass the CIPLE Portuguese proficiency test, which is a basic A2 level exam.
This test is mandatory for those applying for citizenship to demonstrate a fundamental understanding of Portuguese. The CIPLE exam is available at numerous testing centres globally, with tests conducted frequently throughout the year. The current cost for the exam is €72.
There are 3 categories of applicants who are exempt from taking the exam:
- Applicants under 9 years old. For the applicants of 10—15 years old the tasks of the tests are adapted to their age level.
- Applicants with severe health problems or disabilities, with the degree of disability confirmed by a medical certificate from a Portuguese doctor.
- Applicants of 60 years old and over who do not know how to read or write, including their native language.
How to acquire a Portugal passport after a Golden Visa: a step-by-step procedure
Here’s how to get Portugal citizenship after a Golden Visa. The process usually takes 5 years.
1 day
Preliminary Due Diligence
Immigrant Invest lawyers check an investor against international legal and business databases. The procedure reduces the risk of refusal to 1%; only a passport is needed.
Up to 5 business days
Getting a taxpayer number
Non-EU citizens obtain their NIF, or taxpayer number, remotely via a tax representative in Portugal.
Up to 1 month
Opening a bank account and transferring investment
The investor needs a NIF number and a passport to open a bank account in Portugal. At this stage, the investor fulfils the investment condition. This way, it should be done before the application is approved.
2 weeks
Submitting the visa application
Immigrant Invest lawyers assist investors and their families in collecting the documents and filling out the forms.
1 day
Entry to Portugal for fingerprinting
An Immigrant Invest representative accompanies the applicant to the Portuguese agency AIMA for fingerprinting. AIMA was formed in October 2023, after SEF was disbanded.
Up to 6 months
Obtaining a residence permit card
If the application is approved, the residence permit is issued personally to the investor or their representative.
After 5 years of residency
Applying for a passport
If the investor meets the program terms and renews their residence permits to maintain their status, they can apply for permanent residence or citizenship after five years as a resident.
Portuguese citizens can choose to live in any EU country and travel to 172 countries visa‑free, including the USA, Canada, the UK, and Australia.
How to request the first Citizen Card
The Portuguese identity card, Cartão de cidadão, literally “Citizen Card”, is a mandatory document for all Portuguese citizens. It comprises the civil identification number, taxpayer number, health services user number, and social security number.
Foreigners apply for a Citizen Card at the:
- reception desks of the Registries and Notary Institute;
- Nascer Cidadão desks of maternity hospitals and hospitals;
- Citizen Bureaus;
- RIAC Bureaus in the Azores;
- Portuguese consular stations if you are abroad.
The card replaces several documents, including an Identity Card, Social Security card, National Health Service card, Taxpayer card. The Citizen Card is also a valid travel document within all of Europe, including the UK.
Source: European Council
5 benefits of Portugal citizenship
1. Perks of a European country’s passports. Probably the most sought-after benefit of being a Portuguese national is the right to travel visa-free to about 170 countries. Apart from tourism, Portuguese citizens can freely live, work, and study in any EU or EEA country without visas.
2. Access to cutting-edge medical facilities. Holders of Portuguese passports are welcome to seek medical treatment all over Europe, including in countries with the highest life expectancy rates and the best healthcare systems, such as Switzerland. The Portuguese healthcare system itself complies with international standards.
3. Ability to study in Europe. Securing children’s future often means providing them with a proper education. With a Portuguese passport, the children of the investor can study at some of the world's oldest and most prestigious universities across Europe.
4. Lower cost of living. Portugal is one of the most affordable countries in Europe. On average, it is twice as cheap to live in Lisbon than in Berlin or Madrid.
5. No need to renounce the first passport. Portugal allows dual citizenship. If their country of origin does as well, investors do not have to give up their original citizenship.
What to know about Portugal before moving there
If the investor plans to move to Portugal, here’s what to consider.
Cash is king. It can be challenging to pay by credit card for certain fees. For example, co-payments at hospitals or fees for issuing a residence permit card might require cash.
Off-hours are life. Portugal is a large tech-hub; however, the country’s residents enjoy a slower pace of life. This includes siestas, so if you are used to 24/7 services in your country of origin, you might find it difficult to adapt.
Be ready to wait. The average time for obtaining a Portuguese passport is 5 years. However, once the citizenship application is submitted, foreigners may experience a rather long wait. The same applies to appointments in public hospitals.
English is not a cure-all. Although English is widely spoken, foreigners will eventually need to learn Portuguese to fully integrate into local society. Additionally, to apply for citizenship, the investor must demonstrate basic knowledge of Portuguese.
Other ways of obtaining Portugal nationality
Portugal is considered one of the most expat-friendly countries in Europe. Foreigners have plenty of options to move there by participating in immigration programs.
Immigration visas allow investors to apply for a residence permit and qualify for citizenship in 5 years. To qualify, the investor needs to maintain their residence permit, demonstrate knowledge of Portuguese at an A2 level, and have a clear criminal record.
Portugal D2 Visa is issued for opening a company or buying an existing business. An investor’s spouse, children, and parents can also apply for the D2 Visa.
Startup Visa is for entrepreneurs who want to move to Portugal to start and develop an innovative business. However, the startup needs to be approved first, and if it is, an investor can get a visa.
Portugal D7 Visa allows those with €820 in passive monthly income to relocate to Portugal and apply for a residence permit. To apply for a D7 visa, foreigners open a bank account and get a taxpayer number in Portugal.
Portugal Digital Nomad Visa is suitable for remote workers with a stable monthly income of €3,280.
Key takeaways
- The Portugal Golden Visa is popular among investors as it allows for increased mobility and offers a path to citizenship. The minimum investment amount is €250,000.
- Investors who obtain a Golden Visa qualify for permanent residence or citizenship in 5 years. To do so, they must maintain their residence permit, demonstrate knowledge of Portuguese at level A2, and have a clear criminal record.
- There’s no need to permanently reside in Portugal to keep a residence permit. Golden Visa holders keep their residency by spending seven days a year in Portugal.
- Investors can apply for a Portugal Golden Visa along with their family members, such as spouses, children, parents, and siblings. Afterwards, they will also be able to apply for citizenship.
- Portuguese citizens can choose to live in any EU country and travel to 172 countries visa-free, including the USA, Canada, the UK, and Australia.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I become a Portuguese citizen with a Golden Visa?
There’s no opportunity to obtain Portuguese citizenship by investment. Foreigners can get a Golden Visa and then reside in the country.
Golden Visa holders can apply for Portuguese citizenship after 5 years of keeping their residence permit. To keep it, they should live in Portugal seven days a year.
How long can I stay in Portugal with a golden visa?
With a Portuguese Golden Visa, you are allowed to stay in Portugal for as long as your visa remains valid. The initial residence permit is valid for two years, and it can be renewed for subsequent two-year periods.
To maintain the visa, you are required to spend at least seven days in Portugal during the year. This visa also serves as a pathway to applying for permanent residency and citizenship after five years, provided you meet all the necessary requirements, including the minimum stay requirements, proving sufficient financial means and passing a language test.
How many years does it take to get citizenship in Portugal?
To obtain Portuguese citizenship by naturalisation, foreigners typically need to have legally resided in Portugal for at least five years. This period can be met through various types of residency, including the Golden Visa Program.
After five years of legal residency, Golden Visa holders can apply for citizenship, which requires:
- passing a basic Portuguese language test;
- demonstrating ties to the Portuguese community;
- having no criminal record that would impede your eligibility.
What is the Citizen Card in Portugal?
The Citizen Card identifies the Portuguese citizen and is mandatory for all Portuguese citizens. It comprises civil identification, a taxpayer number, a health services user number, a social security number, and serves as a travel document within Europe.
What are the benefits of a Golden Visa in Portugal?
Getting a Portugal residence permit by investment has plenty of advantages. The main are visa-free travel to 172 countries, the right to get a Portuguese passport, a Non-Habitual Resident tax regime, better business opportunities, and visas for all family members.
What is the disadvantage of Portugal's golden visa?
In comparison with other visas to Portugal, the Golden Visa comes with a hefty bill. The minimum investment amount is €250,000 plus additional expenses that include state fees, buying insurance, collecting and translating documents, etc.
How to get citizenship in Portugal?
Investors can get citizenship in Portugal after a Golden Visa. In this case, they need to keep their residency for 5 years.
Other ways to obtain Portuguese citizenship are related to confirming the legal ties to the country: for example, by marriage or descent.
What is the fastest way to get Portuguese citizenship?
Typically, the fastest way to obtain Portugal citizenship is to prove one’s ancestors were Portuguese nationals or to marry a Portugal’s national. However, not all investors can enjoy this option.
Portugal’s Golden Visas can be a step towards a passport. It only takes 5 years to qualify for citizenship, less than in the majority of European countries.
Is Portugal likely to end its coveted golden visa program?
Investors can still apply for Portugal’s Golden Visa. Some of the investment options were disabled, such as property purchases. However, the Portuguese government has not yet expressed an intention to discontinue the program.
More about Portugal
Portugal citizenship after a Golden Visa: how to obtain Portuguese nationality in 5 years
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Hello. I’m an Indian citizen. Will I be granted a permit as a real estate owner in Portugal if I purchase an apartment in Algarve?
Hello,
Thank you for your question.
Portugal no longer grants residency for real estate purchases — this option was cancelled in 2023.
You can consider other pathways to Portuguese residency, such as the D7 Visa for financially independent individuals if you have a passive income of at least €870 per month from outside Portugal, or the Portugal Golden Visa for an investment of at least €250,000 in the Portuguese economy.
To get a personalised consultation on which program best suits your goals and circumstances, sign up for a personal meeting with Immigrant Invest.
Hello,
If I obtain a Golden Visa to Portugal an then citizenship, can move to France with this passport?
Hello Ahmed,
As Portugal is an EU member state, its citizens can freely move across the EU and live and work in any EU country. However, some countries may impose certain requirements on citizens of other member states. For example, one might have to register with local authorities if living in another EU country for more than 3 months.
Hello, can I obtain Portuguese citizenship by investment for my spouse, my son, his wife, and two my grandchildren?
Hello Takashi,
Obtaining Portuguese citizenship directly by investment is not possible. Investors must first obtain a Golden Visa and hold the status for 5 years.
The main applicant can include their spouse, dependent children under 26, and dependent parents to the residency application. This means that you can obtain Portugal residency by investment with your spouse only.