Residency program
Portugal Golden Visa — Residence by Investment
Time to residency
12 - 14 months
Visa-free access
Schengen Area
Overview
About Portugal
Portugal, in southwestern Europe, offers beaches and rugged cliffs alongside vineyards, UNESCO World Heritage cities and a flourishing contemporary culture.
Introduced in 2012, the Golden Visa is among Europe's most flexible programmes: minimal stay obligations of seven days per year and a route to citizenship by naturalisation after five years.
- Capital
- Lisbon
- Currency
- Euro
- Population
- 10.3 million
Investment routes
Portugal residence by investment
Benefits
Why families choose Portugal
- Visa-free travel across the Schengen area.
- An attractive taxation system for investors and residents.
- No restriction on dual citizenship.
- The right to live, work and study in Portugal for you and your family.
- Eligibility for Portuguese citizenship after five years, subject to statutory requirements.
- Access to Portugal's healthcare and education systems.
- The Elite Passport is a government-authorised agent for this programme, with a 100% approval record across the applications we have submitted.
Requirements
Programme requirements
- At least 18 years old.
- No criminal record.
- Valid medical health insurance.
- Successful due diligence checks.
- Minimum stay of seven days per year in Portugal.
Family
Who you can include
- A spouse or legal partner may be included on the same application.
- Dependent children under 18 qualify automatically, and those between 18 and 26 qualify if unmarried and financially dependent, typically through full-time study.
- Dependent parents of the main applicant or spouse over 65 (or 55 with proven dependency) may be included.
- As a residence permit rather than citizenship, status here does not automatically extend to children born after issuance without an independent qualifying route.
Important to know
Residence is time-bound
- The Golden Visa is a renewable residence permit, not citizenship: it must be renewed periodically and remains conditional on maintaining the underlying investment.
- Children included as dependents lose their derived residence status once they turn 18 (or 26 where extended for study) and must then qualify on independent grounds.
- A path to Portuguese citizenship exists after five years, but it is slow, requires basic language proficiency and is subject to standard naturalisation review.
- This is materially different from citizenship by investment, where nationality is conferred directly, permanently and without renewal.
Payment structure
Three payments, the largest after approval
Onboarding retainer
Professional fees and the retainer are settled at engagement, before the local process begins.
Due diligence & government processing fees
Due diligence and government processing fees are paid once the permit application is submitted.
Investment
The chosen investment — funds, research, cultural heritage or business — the largest instalment, is completed as the file proceeds toward permit issuance.
Process
The application process
Assessment & onboarding
- Private consultation with a client advisor at The Elite Passport.
- Internal due diligence check.
- Onboarding and settlement of retainer fees.
Application submission
- Travel to Portugal, opening of a local bank account and start of the legal process.
- Investment requirement fulfilled.
- Biometrics appointment booked and attended.
- Preparation of documents and submission of the Golden Residence Permit application.
Document & application processing
- Processing of the application by the authorities.
- Approval of the application.
Approval & handover
- Golden Residence Permit issued.
- Our team stays with you until the permit is officially stamped and your cards are in hand.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
How much time must I spend in Portugal?+
Seven days per year on average during the initial five-year period — one of the lightest stay requirements in Europe.
Can I apply for citizenship?+
Yes, after five years of holding the Golden Visa and meeting Portuguese naturalisation requirements including basic language proficiency.
How long does the residence permit take to obtain?+
Typically 12 - 14 months from submission of a complete file to permit issuance.
Want the exact figure for your family in Portugal?
Security & opportunity
For families seekingsecurity and opportunity
Three short films that walk you through the decision — what a second citizenship actually changes, the concerns families share, and why our files get approved.
Chapter 01
What a second passport actually changes
Whether you are a successful entrepreneur or a father who values his children's future, we secure a second citizenship that delivers real global advantages.
- Visa-free access to 150+ countries
- Access to a stable international banking system
- Citizenship that passes automatically to your children
- Tax-friendly living, up to 0% income tax
Chapter 02
The same concerns, wherever you are from
Torn between a Golden Visa in Greece, permanent residency in Cyprus, or Caribbean citizenship? We organise your priorities and build a clear step-by-step plan.
- Fear of instability or conflict
- Rising crime and economic pressure
- Visa rejections that limit opportunity
- Uncertainty around your children's future
- Financial restrictions and banking barriers
Chapter 03
Why families choose The Elite Passport
We are government-authorised promoters, Swiss certified by the industry's highest council, and every application is supported by our own legal team.
- Antigua & Barbuda authorised representative
- Saint Lucia licensed promoter
- Independent third-party due diligence before we file
- Pre-approval process behind our approval rate
- 100% confidentiality at every step