For foreign nationals who wish to work and live in the European Union, the Portugal Golden Resident Visa Program (GRP) is a very popular opportunity.
As one of the only programs of its kind that is accepted by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, the GRP is designed to grant foreign nationals residency in Portugal. It is also a direct path to citizenship (and its many associated benefits) after five years.
This program is one of the most straightforward ways to obtain residency from an EU country thanks to its relatively low requirements, primarily depending on the applicant’s ability to invest in either Portuguese real estate, research, or the economy.
Changes to the GRP in 2022
The following changes are now in effect:
- Residential real estate investments in select popular areas will no longer qualify: this includes urban areas like the Algarve, Lisbon, and Porto, and coastal towns such as Setubal and the Silver Coast
- Applicants are only permitted to acquire residential real estate in designated areas of the country, and the properties must be worth at least €500,000 (€350,000 for rehabilitation projects)*
- Applicants are able to purchase commercial, service-based, or industrial real estate anywhere in Portugal, and the properties must be worth at least €500,000 (€350,000 for rehabilitation projects)*
- Applicants may purchase residential, commercial, service-based, or industrial real estate anywhere in Portugal’s autonomous islands of Azores and Madeira. These properties must be worth at least €500,000 (€350,000 for rehabilitation projects)
*Applicants can benefit from a 20% reduced required investment for properties in designated low-density areas.
Changes to capital transfer rules in 2022
Effective January 1, applicants who choose the capital transfer route will have to make a more significant investment: the minimum amount is now €1.5 million, up from €1 million.
For investment funds (i.e. venture capital funds), the minimum required investment is now €500,000, up from €350,000. This increase applies to both investments in scientific research and existing Portuguese businesses.
At a glance
| Capital Transfer | €1 million | €1,5 million |
| Investment Fund | €350,000 | €500,000 |
| Residential Real Estate | €500,000 (€350,000 for rehabilitation projects) | Amounts remain unchanged, but projects in popular areas no longer qualify (Algarve, Lisbon, Porto, Setubal, and the Silver Coast) |
| Commercial Real Estate | €500,000 (€350,000 for rehabilitation projects) | Amounts remain unchanged |
| Science and Research Activities | €350,000 | €500,000 |
