Portugal Golden Visa and D7/D8 Programs
One of the fastest pathways to a top-tier EU passport, combined with extremely low residency requirements.
Portugal Core Advantages
Although Portugal ended its real estate investment immigration route, its €500,000 fund investment route and the D7/D8 visas for passive income/digital nomads remain highly popular. The core attraction is: by meeting extremely relaxed residency requirements (averaging 7 days a year), you can apply for this top-tier EU passport, which grants visa-free access to over 180 countries, in just 5 years.
Crypto/Web3 Industry Elites
Portugal is known as Europe's crypto capital, with extremely friendly tax exemption policies for individual crypto assets.
EU Passport Seekers
The only major global country where you only need to reside an average of 7 days a year, and after 5 years can take a very simple A2 Portuguese exam to get a passport.
High-Income Digital Nomads
Easily start a remote working life in beautiful Lisbon through the D8 visa.
Processing Time
12-18 Months
Min Investment
€500,000 Fund
Residency Req
Average 7 days per year
Passport Rank
4th Globally (191 visa-free countries)
Corporate Tax
21%
Golden Passport
Hold the residency card for just 5 years to apply for citizenship, with extremely low residency requirements during this period.
Compliant Funds
Private equity funds strictly regulated by the Portuguese Securities Market Commission (CMVM), with transparent exit mechanisms.
Safe and Livable
Ranked as one of the safest countries globally, with a pleasant climate and highly cost-effective living expenses.
Major Visa-Free Power
Ranked in the top five globally after naturalization, even holding visa-free privileges to the US.
Tax Advantages & Wealth Planning
Crypto-Friendly and NHR (Non-Habitual Resident) Tax Regime
Portugal was famous for its NHR (Non-Habitual Resident) policy, which offered tax exemptions on overseas pensions and dividends. Although the old NHR is gradually being phased out, Portugal remains widely recognized as a "crypto tax haven" in Europe. Long-term holding and selling of cryptocurrencies by individuals are generally exempt from capital gains tax.
Education System & Family Planning
High-Quality Southern European Education Resources
Portugal boasts historic European institutions like the University of Lisbon, alongside many international schools taught entirely in English. Once holding Golden Residency, children can attend public schools for free, seamlessly connect to top US and UK universities, or return to China to take the Overseas Chinese Student Exam.
Requirements & Core Thresholds
Success Stories & Timelines
"Since the property purchase route was closed, buying a €500,000 fund gave us more peace of mind. It avoids the hassle of property maintenance, and we could get a top-tier EU passport for the whole family at an extremely low residency cost."
Account Opening & Fund Subscription (1-2 months)
Open a Portuguese bank account, pass the fund's KYC review, and complete the €500,000 investment.
Submit Online Application (2-3 months)
Local lawyers submit the official online application to AIMA and wait for pre-approval.
Landing for Biometrics
Upon approval, the whole family travels to Lisbon with Schengen visas to record biometrics.
Card Issuance & Renewal
Receive the Golden Residency Card, renew it every two years, and apply for citizenship after 5 years.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is the Portugal real estate immigration route completely closed?
Yes. In 2023, Portugal officially cancelled the pathway to obtain a Golden Visa through purchasing real estate. The main investment pathway now is subscribing to €500,000 in compliant Portuguese private equity/venture capital funds.
Can I really get a Portuguese passport in just 5 years?
Yes. Portugal is one of the most friendly major countries for "passport acquisition" in Europe and globally. Simply by holding a Golden Visa for 5 years and passing an extremely simple basic Portuguese (A2 level) test, you can directly apply for naturalization, requiring an average residency of only 7 days per year.
What is the difference between D7/D8 visas and the Golden Visa?
D7 is a passive income visa (requires proof of stable income like rent/pensions), and D8 is a digital nomad visa. The processing costs for both are extremely low (no €500k investment required), but **the immigration jail is very strict**, usually requiring residence in Portugal for more than 6-8 months a year. The Golden Visa, on the other hand, has virtually no residency requirements.