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Residence by Investment
Residence by Investment

Portugal flagPortugal

Europe's most flexible residency framework — two distinct pathways from EUR 175,000, only 7 days per year in-country, and a clear, legally protected 10-year route to a powerful EU passport.

7 Days/Year Required
Key Metric
8–14 Months
Processing Time
From EUR 175,000
Minimum Investment
Overview

Programme Overview

Portugal offers two distinct, elite residency-by-investment pathways for globally minded investors. The Portugal Golden Visa remains highly active through regulated financial and cultural mechanisms following the historic implementation of Organic Law No. 1/2026. The Portugal Global Talent Programme stands as Europe's most streamlined, cost-efficient, and rapid hybrid residency framework, engineered for accomplished global business leaders and entrepreneurs. Both programmes are administered by the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) and offer the same ultra-low physical presence requirement of just 7 days per year, complete Schengen mobility, and a clear 10-year path (the 5+5 model) to a full EU passport under the landmark 2026 Nationality Law.

Benefits

Key Advantages

Ⅰ
Unrestricted Schengen Mobility
Live, work, and study in Portugal while enjoying absolute visa-free travel privileges across all 29 European nations within the Schengen Area.
Ⅱ
Ultra-Low Physical Presence
Both programmes enforce an ultra-low physical stay requirement of just 7 days per year (or 14 days across each 2-year card cycle), allowing total global freedom.
Ⅲ
A Clear EU Passport Pathway
Under Organic Law No. 1/2026, the path to full EU citizenship is structured as a stable 5+5 model — 5 years of active residency followed by 5 years of permanent status, with basic A2 Portuguese language proficiency required.
Ⅳ
Generous Family Consolidation
A single capital deployment covers the principal applicant, legal spouse, dependent children up to age 26 (if single and in full-time studies), and dependent parents over age 65.
Ⅴ
Optimized Corporate Structuring
Access a highly stable European marketplace, secure premium asset diversification, and manage corporate holdings within a robust, legally sound regulatory environment.
Investment Options

Choose Your Pathway

Golden Visa — Option A
CMVM-Regulated Investment Fund Units
EUR 500,000
Sophisticated, hands-off capital allocation into private equity or venture capital funds strictly registered with the Portuguese Securities Market Commission (CMVM). At least 60% of the fund's capital must be invested in active commercial companies headquartered within Portuguese territory, with a minimum maturity of 5 years. Capital legally required to be held until the 5-year Permanent Residency transition.
Hold: 5 years minimum
Golden Visa — Option B
Cultural Heritage Donation
From EUR 200,000
A philanthropic capital contribution dedicated to the restoration, preservation, or development of Portugal's national artistic production and historical cultural heritage. EUR 250,000 standard rate; reduced to EUR 200,000 if the project is located within a government-certified low-density region. Zero asset management overheads.
Global Talent Programme
University-Aligned Incubator Contribution
EUR 175,000
A single, flat capital contribution into a government-approved university incubator network. The technical execution is handled entirely by local university researchers — your role is strictly high-level corporate strategy. Enjoys statutory priority status at AIMA for the fastest processing of any Portuguese residency route.
The Process

How Burbridge Capital
manages your application

1
Fiscal Setup & Capital Allocation
Burbridge Capital secures your Portuguese Tax Number (NIF) and opens your compliant international investor account. You complete the subscription and wire transfer for your chosen fund units, cultural donation, or incubator contribution.
2
Digital Portal Submission
Our specialized legal team compiles your comprehensive personal dossier and formally uploads it to the digital AIMA portal for preliminary approval.
3
Biometric Data Collection in Portugal
Upon receiving digital pre-approval, an official appointment is scheduled at an AIMA branch. The main applicant and all included family members travel briefly to Portugal to submit physical biometrics and present original documentation.
4
Residence Card Issuance
Following final vetting, AIMA officially approves the file. Your initial 2-year biometric residence cards are printed and delivered. Your official residency clock legally begins on the exact date of issuance stamped on these physical cards.
5
Card Renewals at Years 2 & 4
To maintain compliance, you fulfill the 7-day annual stay requirement. Burbridge Capital manages the formal renewal of your biometric cards at Year 2 and Year 4.
6
Permanent Status & Citizenship Path
At the 5-year milestone, you transition to Investor Permanent Residency — allowing full liquidation of your investment. After a further 5 years, you become eligible for full Portuguese Citizenship with basic A2 language proficiency.
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

How did the May 2026 law change the citizenship timeline?+
Under Organic Law No. 1/2026, the legal residence period required for standard naturalization was updated to 10 years for non-EU nationals. For Golden Visa and Global Talent holders, this is structured as a stable 5+5 model: 5 years under the active programme, transition to Permanent Residency at Year 5 (allowing full investment liquidation), then an additional 5 years of permanent status before applying for full citizenship.
What is the difference between the Golden Visa and the Global Talent Programme?+
The Golden Visa requires EUR 500,000 (funds) or EUR 200,000–250,000 (cultural donation) with no professional profile requirement. The Global Talent Programme requires only EUR 175,000 but positions you as the strategic founder of a university-linked innovation project. Both offer identical residency rights and the same 10-year passport pathway.
Can I still buy real estate in Portugal to qualify?+
No. All direct and indirect real estate paths have been strictly eliminated. Any fund selected for the Golden Visa must focus strictly on corporate capitalization, technology, infrastructure, renewable energy, or agriculture.

Ready to explore your options?

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