Our Group CEO, Andy, outlines the changes in the Portuguese Golden Visa scheme, the new qualifying requirements, and why it’s one of Europe’s most attractive citizenship routes for wealthy individuals.

Why is the Portugal Golden Visa such a popular scheme?

“The Portugal Golden Visa has become one of the most sought-after residency schemes in the world. The country’s location, high quality of life and tax incentives are just some of the reasons why it’s so attractive. But a key one is that applicants can obtain citizenship within just 5 years, which enables them visa-free travel across 27 countries in the Schengen Area. This is a particularly short timeframe and considerably shorter than other programs. The program has also gained in popularity among wealthy individuals and families, investors and professional athletes, because of its array of diverse investment options and low minimum stay per year.

For athletes in particular, the visa provides a highly practical benefit: freedom of movement across Europe. This is incredibly useful when competing, training or managing commercial obligations in multiple jurisdictions. We’ve seen a notable increase in interest from athletes and their representatives looking to establish European residency without the need to relocate full-time.”

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What are the recent changes to the scheme and why did they take place?

“There has much been speculation in recent years that the scheme was coming to end after an announcement was made by the Portuguese Prime Minister, Antonio Costa, in early 2023. Fortunately, the Portuguese parliament voted for the scheme to remain open, and a bill was passed in late 2023 to remove property investment as a viable investment option. The reason for this was because of a growing housing crisis in the country, which was accelerating quickly due to the residency program’s popularity that began to affect the availability and affordability of housing for residents. The program has however had a resounding positive effect on the country, and initially introduced to inject capital into the country, has raised over €7.5 billion.”

What changes have been implemented since then?

“Since then, the Portuguese Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) met with legal representatives at the beginning of 2025 to confirm a new framework for the scheme. The restructuring of the program has created various new investment options with the aim to spread foreign investment more evenly across Portugal to boost investment in culture, businesses and innovation in the country. It is important to note that applicants who qualified in the program under the property investment option prior to these new changes are unaffected by the new rules.”

What are the current investment options in the scheme?

“The current investment options that remain in the program include:

• €500,000 investment into qualifying Portuguese funds, either private equity or venture capital.

• €250,000 government-approved charitable investment or donation in the arts or preservation of a cultural heritage site.

• €500,000 research contribution in science or technology activities by a public or private institution.

• The creation and maintenance of 10 jobs due to an investment in a business.

• €500,000 investment in the incorporation of a company or reinforcement of a company’s share capital, in addition to the creation of a minimum of 5 jobs.”

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Are there any other requirements applicants must meet?

“Yes, the qualifying investment must be held for a minimum of 5 years for the applicant to be granted citizenship. Applicants are also required to stay in Portugal for a minimum of 7 days per year to maintain their residency status, which is considerably lower than many other programs and highly attractive for foreign investors who do not wish to re-locate permanently.”

What is the Solidarity Golden Visa?

“In addition to the above options, Portugal has introduced a Solidarity Golden Visa, which is specifically aimed to make a positive social impact in the country. The new scheme falls part of the Action Plan for Migration, announced in 2024 by the Portuguese Minister, to improve current migration and integration policies, and support immigrants entering the country. With a minimum of €250,000 qualifying investment, investors have the chance to invest in societal projects which support immigrants to settle in the country, such as integration programs, building and equipment.”

What are the key benefits of the Portugal Golden Visa?

“The program offers applicants many advantages, which I’ve summarised below:

• Low minimum stay per year of just 7 days

• Citizenship granted in 5 years if requirements are met

• Dual citizenship permitted

• Able to live, work and study in Portugal: a well-developed educational system, high quality of life and growing, diverse industry

• Visa-free travel in 27 countries across the Schengen Area for 90 days

• Dependents are eligible for permanent residence & citizenship after 5 years

• Attractive location for business: access to European markets

• Tax Advantages: The Golden Visa Program falls under the Non-Habitual Residency Program which offers exemptions from personal taxes for 10 years, absence of wealth tax and inheritance tax, and majority of revenue generated outside of Portugal non-taxable

• Access to free healthcare

• Favourable year-round climate

• A safe place to live with low crime rates

• Investment options from as low as €250,000, which is relatively cheaper than many others across the globe”

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Who is eligible to apply for the visa?

“Any non-EU/EEA/Swiss national can apply for the Portugal Golden Visa. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and hold a clean criminal record.”

What does Portugal have to offer?

“Portugal has an average of 300 days of sunshine per year, it has beautiful beaches and locals lead a healthy, active lifestyle. Many enjoy outdoor activities such as surfing, kayaking, hiking and football, and there are some incredible natural landscapes across the country. The locals are known to be friendly and welcoming, and it has low crime rates. The country is ideal for families, with a well-established education system and free healthcare system. For High-Net-Worth Individuals that travel often, Portugal’s location is ideal, providing easy access across the EU. The country has a lovely traditional culture, with exquisite wine and cuisine, and celebrations and festivals throughout the year.

The Golden Visa is increasingly seen as a lifestyle strategy as much as a residency tool. For our professional athlete clients, many of whom spend significant time between Europe, the U.S., and the Middle East, it’s a way to simplify logistics, avoid visa complications, and maintain freedom of movement.”

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Interested in the Portugal Golden Visa?

“If you are interested in the Portugal Golden Visa, our team are well-placed to assist you with the process. We hold an initial consultation to understand your unique requirements and goals and to answer any questions you may have about the process.

We’ve also seen growing interest in the U.S. equivalent — the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program — particularly among clients in the sports and entertainment space who are looking for more permanent access to the U.S. Similar to the Portugal scheme, the EB-5 allows investors and their families to obtain U.S. green cards through qualified investments. We’re happy to advise on both routes depending on your goals.”

Why Affinity?

We have many years of experience assisting clients with residency and citizenship programmes around the world and work with some key partners to help facilitate the necessary arrangements. Our services extend beyond the application form — we liaise with relevant parties on behalf of the client and facilitate introductions to additional partners. We provide a personal service and support every step of the way. In addition to residency services, we offer a range of corporate services that may be beneficial to clients.

Contact Andy at andy@affinityco.com today for a one-to-one conversation to learn more about the programme or to discuss your unique goals.

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