Portugal Visa & citizenship programs
Why Portugal?
Portugal is an attractive destination for individuals seeking a peaceful yet vibrant lifestyle. Its appeal lies in the combination of pleasant weather, captivating landscapes, sun-soaked beaches, and a rich cultural heritage. Portugal offers an exceptionally high quality of life, a welcoming atmosphere, and a low cost of living, making it an ideal choice for those desiring a secure and culturally enriched European lifestyle.
For non-EU citizens, Portugal provides several attractive residency programs, including:
● Golden Visa for investors.
● D7 Visa for retirees.
● D8 Visa for digital nomads.
Global Citizen Solutions boasts a 100% success rate in visa applications for Portugal. Clients benefit from dedicated account managers and extensive experience in the Portuguese market.
Portugal Residency Programs
D2 Visa: Entrepreneurship/Startup
The D2 Visa is designed for non-EU liberal professionals, entrepreneurs, and business owners. It has two categories:
1. Entrepreneur Route:
For those starting a new business or expanding an existing one in Portugal.
2. Independent Service Provider Route:
Ideal for professionals offering services to local or global clients
Top Advantages
- Entrepreneurial opportunities to start or invest in businesses.
- Schengen Area travel without additional visas.
- Family reunification.
- Portuguese citizenship eligibility after five years.
D3 Visa: Tech Visa/Highly Qualified Employees
The D3 Visa targets highly qualified professionals with confirmed employment or self-employment contracts in Portugal.
Key Benefits:
- Portuguese citizenship eligibility after five years.
- Visa-free travel within the Schengen Area.
- Quick processing time as it is a priority visa.
- Family reunification.
D8 Visa: Digital Nomad Visa
Introduced in October 2022, the D8 Visa is for remote workers earning at least four times the Portuguese minimum wage (€3,040/month).
Visa Categories:
● Temporary Stay Visa (up to 1 year).
● Residency Permit (renewable for up to 5 years).
Benefits:
- Schengen Area travel.
- Access to education and healthcare.
- Route to Portuguese citizenship after five years.
D7 Visa: Retirement Visa
Key Benefits:
- Straightforward application process.
- No business involvement required.
- Schengen Area travel.
- Family reunification.
- Eligibility for Portuguese citizenship after five years.
Golden Visa Portugal
The Golden Visa is a five-year residency-by-investment scheme for non-EU nationals. It allows residency through substantial financial investments, such as fund subscriptions, business setups, or cultural donations.
Key Advantages:
- Low physical presence requirement: Only seven days per year.
- Investment options starting from €250,000.
- Schengen Area travel.
- Rights to live, work, and study in Portugal.
- Pathway to Portuguese citizenship.
As of October 2023, real estate investments are no longer eligible for the Golden Visa. This significant update reflects changes to Portugal’s investment residency program, encouraging alternative investment routes such as fund subscriptions, scientific research contributions, and job creation. Despite this adjustment, the program remains highly popular among investors for its wide-ranging benefits.
Golden Visa Highlights
● Visa-free travel to 27 EU nations and 172 countries worldwide.
● Affordable investment options starting at €250,000.
● Citizenship eligibility after five years.
● Tax benefits: No taxes on income produced outside Portugal.
● Family reunification: Includes spouse, dependent children, and parents.
Eligible Investment Routes
● Fund subscriptions (€500,000 minimum).
● Cultural donations (€250,000 minimum).
● Scientific research contributions (€500,000 minimum).
● Job creation: Creation and maintenance of 10 jobs.
Golden Visa Process
1. Submit your application and documents to AIMA (formerly SEF).
2. Appear for an in-person interview.
3. Residence permit is issued within 9-12 months.
4. Renew residence permits every two years.
5. Apply for permanent residency or citizenship after five years.
Required Documents for the Portugal Golden Visa
● Application Form.
● Valid Passport and travel documents.
● Declaration from a Portuguese Bank confirming fund transfers.
● Health Insurance Proof (if residing in Portugal).
● Background Check/Police Clearance Letter.
● Declaration of Honor committing to maintaining investment for five years.
● Portuguese Tax and Customs Authority Documentation.
● Social Security Compliance Document.
● Application Fee Receipt.
● All documents must be translated into Portuguese and certified or apostilled.
Portugal's Golden Visa In Numbers
SEP 2025
Portugal Golden Visa Statistics
● Total Applicants: 15,619 investors and 22,000 family members (October 2012 – September 2024).
● Investment Breakdown:
○ Real estate acquisition: 12,561 permits.
○ Fund investments: 673 permits.
○ Capital transfer: 1,255 permits.
○ Job creation: 22 permits.
● Top Investor Nationalities: China, USA, Brazil, Turkey, Nigeria, Hong Kong, South Africa.
● Popular Investment Types:
○ Real estate (€50 million in 2023).
○ Capital transfer (€20 million in 2023).
Portugal Golden Visa Approval Rates
- Until the present day, Portugal issued Golden Visas for 15,619 main applicants
- 21,978 residence permits were issued for family members that accompanied the main applicants as their dependents
Top Nationalities
Over the years, the Portuguese Golden Visa investment residence permit program has attracted investors from around the globe.
Since the program’s start, China has had the largest number of applicants. However, despite Chinese nationals still being the majority, their share of the program is decreasing as investors from other nationalities, such as Brazil and the United States, have also been applying. The program is also becoming increasingly popular in other countries, such as South Africa and Turkey.
The table below provides a clear representation of the highest number of applicants for the Portugal Golden Visa Program.
Portugal ranking statistics
- Portugal is ranked first as the best country in Europe for expats
- 7th safest country in the world, according to the 2023 Global Peace Index.
- Ranked number one in the world for its best master’s degree in information management
- Ranked number one as the best travel destination in Europe
- Ranked 5th as the safest country in Europe
- Portugal ranks 4th in terms of its passport benefits for nomads and global citizens
- Portugal is in fifth place as the world’s most powerful passport, alongside Austria and the Netherlands
- Portugal is ranked 6th in terms of being one of the cheapest countries in Europe
- Portugal is ranked 9th in terms of the country with the lowest organized crimes
- Portugal comes in 10th place in the ranking of the world’s best democracies
- Portugal is ranked 11th in terms of being one of the largest exclusive economic zones in the world
- Ranked as 12th for having the best healthcare system in the world
- Ranked 17th in terms of the quality of life it provides to its residents
- Ranked 21st in terms of its infrastructure quality
- Portugal ranks in 21 st place for its life expectancy standards
- Portugal comes in 27th place for its quality of education
- Portugal comes in 28th place for its institutional transparency
Portugal offers diverse residency options catering to entrepreneurs, retirees, remote workers, and investors, providing a secure, culturally rich, and high-quality lifestyle. With pathways to citizenship, Schengen travel, and family reunification, it remains a top choice for global citizens.
