🇵🇹Program UpdatesMarch 20, 2025· 5 min read

Portugal Golden Visa 2025: What Changed and What Still Works

Home/Blog/Portugal Golden Visa 2025: What Changed and What Still Works

Portugal overhauled its Golden Visa in 2023, eliminating the real estate route. Investment fund and venture capital contributions from €500,000 remain eligible, and the path to Portuguese (EU) citizenship in 5 years remains one of the most accessible in Europe.

Portugal's Golden Visa (Autorização de Residência para Atividade de Investimento – ARI) has been one of Europe's most popular residency-by-investment programs since 2012. In October 2023, the Portuguese government removed real estate investment as an eligible route following housing market pressure. Despite this change, the program remains open and fully functional through alternative investment routes.

Current Eligible Investment Routes (2025)

The following investment options remain valid under the 2025 framework:

Investment fund or venture capital contribution: €500,000 minimum
Capital transfer to Portugal: €1,500,000
Creation of 10 permanent jobs in Portugal
Capital investment in arts/cultural heritage: €250,000 (reduced route)
Scientific research contributions: €500,000

Why the Portugal Golden Visa Still Stands Out

Portugal's program remains exceptional for one key reason: you only need to spend 7 days per year in Portugal to maintain your residency — and just 7 days for the first year, then 14 days per subsequent 2-year period. This is by far the most flexible physical presence requirement of any EU golden visa. After 5 years, you qualify for permanent residence, and Portuguese citizenship becomes accessible (with a basic A2 Portuguese language test). Portuguese citizens have visa-free access to 190+ countries.

The Citizenship Pathway

After 5 years of holding a Golden Visa (maintaining the minimum stay requirement and the investment), you can apply for Portuguese citizenship without giving up your existing nationality. Portugal allows dual citizenship. The language test required is A2 level — considered basic conversational Portuguese — which is achievable with a few months of preparation.

Processing Timeline

Current processing times for Portuguese Golden Visa applications run 12–18 months for initial approval due to a significant application backlog. ITC iLand recommends beginning your application as early as possible if Portuguese citizenship within the 5-year minimum is your target.

Ramin AsadiRCIC · R407111

Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) · ITC iLand Immigration Inc.

This article was prepared by ITC iLand licensed immigration consultants. This is general information and does not constitute legal advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still get the Portugal Golden Visa through real estate investment?

No. Portugal removed real estate purchase as an eligible investment route in October 2023. This change was made in response to housing market pressures and political pressure to prioritize housing for local residents. Applications submitted before the October 2023 deadline are still being processed, but new applications cannot use residential or commercial real estate as the qualifying investment. The program remains open through other investment routes.

What is the minimum investment for Portugal's Golden Visa in 2025?

The most accessible current route is a contribution to arts or cultural heritage projects at €250,000. For investment fund or venture capital contributions, the minimum is €500,000. Scientific research contributions also require €500,000. A direct capital transfer into Portugal requires €1,500,000 — the highest threshold. Alternatively, creating 10 permanent jobs in Portugal qualifies regardless of the capital amount invested. Most investors in 2025 use the €500,000 investment fund route as the most practical post-real-estate option.

How many days per year do I need to spend in Portugal to keep the Golden Visa?

Portugal's Golden Visa has the most flexible physical presence requirement of any European residency program: just 7 days in the first year, and 14 days per subsequent 2-year renewal period. This means you are not required to live in Portugal or give up your life abroad. After 5 years of maintaining the Golden Visa residency (and meeting the minimum stay requirement each period), you become eligible to apply for Portuguese citizenship — which grants full EU citizenship and all the rights that come with it.