Golden Visa

Golden Visa

Proposed citizenship changes announced 28 October 2025

The proposed new citizenship law in Portugal would extend the residence requirement from 5 to 10 years. The law has not yet been signed so does not apply now, but a grandfather clause is expected to protect those who invested or resided before its enactment. Legal expert Jorge Miranda, known as the “father of the Portuguese Constitution,” has noted that retroactive changes are generally not accepted under the Constitution, raising questions about applying the new law to existing residents or investors that invest before the actual law signing. In the past when changes were tabled to the wealth migration program a transition was applied and also no retroactive changes took place. It now remains for the president and constitutional courts to decide. This could take a period of time.

Permanent residency

This is not changed by the proposed citizenship changes.

In Portugal, the rules for obtaining permanent residency have remained consistent and unchanged. Currently, foreign residents can apply for permanent residency after legally residing in the country for 35 days over five years on the wealth migration program.

Golden Visa
Requirements for Funds
  • Must invest a minimum of Euro 500,000
  • Must be invested through the investor’s Portuguese bank account
  • No direct property or real estate investments
  • At least 60% of the fund’s investment must be in commercial companies with headquarters in Portugal. Golden Dragon Portugal Fund invests 100 percent into its investee company.
  • The Golden Dragon Portugal Fund is within the scope of sub-paragraph vii) of paragraph d) of paragraph 1 of article 3 of Law no. 23/2007, with respect to the provisions of paragraph 5 of the aforementioned article, thus constituting a suitable investment route for the effect of obtaining the so-called Golden Visa, under the aforementioned Portuguese Law
  • Must be regulated by the Portuguese Government body called the CMVM
Clock

The residency clock begins when your application is accepted, not when the residency card is issued

Calendar

Residency: 35 days over 5 years for permanent status and eligibility to apply for a passport

Tram
Family benefits of investing in a Portugal Golden Visa Fund

Investors can extend their Golden Visa benefits to their immediate family members, streamlining the application process for both the main applicant and dependents

Eligible family members include
  • Spouses or partners
  • Children under 18
  • Parents over 65 years of age
  • Dependent children under 26 who are unmarried, full-time students
Benefits for Primary applicant and family members encompass
  • Residency rights for the whole family, make a legacy investment for 3 generations
  • After 5 years the option to apply for permanent residency, or a Portuguese passport
  • Full visa free travel access within the Schengen Countries, 29 E.U. countries
  • Work, study, and public health care rights in the 7th most peaceful country in the World
  • Access to excellent and affordable private health care
  • Access to excellent universities across the E.U, many with courses in English
  • Ability to relocate or start a business in the best country in the E.U. with one of the highest growth rates

Difference between Portugal and Greece on Permanent Residency

Portugal Wealth Migration Scheme

  • Access to all Schengen Countries visa free
  • Full work, study, public educational & health rights from granting of residency
  • Permanent residency after 5 years and / or passport eligibility. Only need to be in country for 35 days over 5 years to qualify
  • Investment can be sold tax free once permanent residency or passport safely in hand, and status remains safe forever
  • Ease of passing the language test compared to other programs for primary citizenship applicants
  • No need to pay tax on the investment at anytime
  • Children in Portugal keep their automatic permanent residency status for life once they qualify under their parents

Greece Wealth Migration Scheme

  • Access to all Schengen Countries visa free
  • Loss of residency if the asset is sold anytime regardless of permanent residency
  • Restrictions on work, and health care
  • Must pay taxes on the investment over its life time
  • No realistic path to citizenship, must live in country 7 years full time and become a tax resident
  • At age 18, children in Greece lose their automatic permanent residency status