Is the Portugal Golden Visa Ending? Not Exactly | 2024 Update (2024)

Is the Portugal Golden Visa ending? The short answer is no. However, there have been important changes to the program. Following a ministerial meeting, the Portuguese government presented measures to respond to various concerns within the scope of Portugal’s housing policy.

On 7 October 2023, new legislation came into force, ruling out real estate investment or capital transfer as a means to qualify for future applications.

Despite these changes, the Portugal Golden Visa program will continue, as the Portuguese Parliament voted in July 2023 to restructure the program rather than end it. The changes do not affect existing applications.

For years, the Portugal Golden Visa program has been a popular option for non-EU citizens seeking residency in the country. Introduced in 2012 by the Portuguese Government to attract foreign investment, the scheme has brought millions of euros in investment each year.

The Portuguese Golden Visa program grants residency to investors who meet certain criteria and is, to date, one of the most successful investment programs in Europe.

This article examines the latest Portuguese Golden Visa program announcements and their key implications for future investors.

Read on to discover:

• Is the Portugal Golden Visa ending?
• What are the most significant changes to the program?
• When are the changes coming into effect?
• Implications for the existing Golden Visa holders
• What are the remaining investment options for the Golden Visa program?
• The latest Portugal Golden Visa news

Is the Portugal Golden Visa ending?

No, Portugal is not stopping the Golden Visa program. However, major changes were made in October 2023 concerning what type of investment qualifies for the scheme: capital transfers and real estate investments, including residential and commercial real estate, are no longer eligible for the program.

In the sections below, we’ll discuss the remaining eligible investments for the Portugal Golden Visa Program.

The “More Housing Law”

Previously, Portugal’s Golden Visa program allowed non-EU citizens to gain residency through property investments, contributing to rising property prices in the country.

However, on 6 October 2023, the “Mais Habitação Law” was published by the Portuguese Government. This law addressed Portugal’s housing crisis by introducing measures to increase the country’s housing availability and affordability.

The Mais Habitaçāo bill officially took effect on 7 October 2023, bringing changes to the Golden Visa program in Portugal. Issuing residence or Golden Visas based on acquiring real estate categories is no longer possible.

To learn more about the program changes, please refer to .

Portugal Golden Visa News 2024

Despite property investment no longer being an option, the Portuguese Golden Visa Program still has several attractive investment routes available.

In 2024, the program is still processing Portuguese Golden Visa applications worldwide and granting residency by investment to individuals and their accompanying family members. Portugal’s Golden Visa program remains one of the most sought-after investment schemes globally.

Renowned for its flexibility, stability, and access to the Schengen Area, the scheme offers Golden Visa investors a pathway to a Portuguese residence permit through alternative investment routes such as job creation, research activities, venture capital funds, and cultural heritage preservation. This adaptability, coupled with Portugal’s favorable tax regime and high quality of life, makes the Golden Visa scheme appealing for individuals seeking residency in Europe.

Since the changes have been made, fund investments have gained traction as a popular way to qualify for the program. Learn more in our Golden Visa Investment Fund Guide.

New Social Investor Visa Portugal

The recently elected Portuguese Prime Minister, Luis Montenegro, announced an Action Plan for Migration on 3 June 2024 to transform Portugal’s immigration framework.

A notable change involves the Portugal Golden Visa introducing the New Residence Permit for Solidarity Investment, also known as the Social Golden Visa. This initiative aims to channel private capital into social investment for immigrant integration projects.

This includes investments in reception infrastructure, integration projects, and support for vulnerable immigrants.

The Government views this residence-by-investment program as a tool for the Migration Plan and the “Build Portugal” Plan, suggesting a new Golden Visa option through investment in affordable housing projects.

While the specifics and timings of this new Golden Visa option are speculative, they seem promising yet potentially challenging in implementation and attracting significant investment, similar to the current Golden Visa cultural investment option.

Are previous Golden Visa applicants affected?

The program changes have no impact on Portugal Golden Visa applications made before the law change. If you’ve initiated or finalized your investment, you can still maintain your visa under the same terms you initially applied for. There will be no retroactive impact on your investment or your residency status.

Golden Visa Portugal Ending: The Future of the Program

Remaining Golden Visa investment routes

There are several capital transfer investment options and other investment pathways that remain for Golden Visa applications, such as:

1. Venture Capital Fund Investment: Capital transfers of €500,000 or more for participation units in venture capital funds, as long as they are not directly or indirectly related to real estate
2. Investment or donation in the arts or reconstruction of national heritage with a donation of at least €250,000 (Read: Portugal’s Cultural Production Golden Visa)
3. Scientific Research: A contribution of at least €500,000 to technological or scientific research programs in Portugal.
4. Creation of ten jobs: Creation and maintenance of ten jobs during the required period
5. Share capital and job creation: Incorporation of a company or reinforcement of a company’s share capital, in either case with an investment of €500,000, combined with the creation of five permanent jobs or maintaining ten jobs (five of them permanent)

Golden Visa investment routes that are no longer available

• A capital transfer in the amount of €1,500,000 or more is no longer accepted.
• Real estate acquisition with a value of €500,000 or higher is prohibited.
• Property investment for rehabilitation or restoration on listings at least 30 years old, with a total investment of €350,000 or more, is no longer an option.
• Real estate purchases in low-density areas, €400,000 or €280,000, are no longer an option.
• Investing in a real estate-related fund is no longer viable.

Important notes about the Golden Visa Program

In addition to the specified investment avenues, the main consequences of this legislation encompass:

• Pending applications with AIMA (Foreigners and Borders Service) will be evaluated according to the laws at the time of submission.
• The minimum residency requirement to maintain residence permits remains unchanged, at an average of seven days annually.
• The renewal process for residence permits will continue to adhere to the original regulations.
• Family reunification conditions for dependents remain consistent with primary application requirements.
• Investment routes tied to real estate and capital transfers are no longer considered qualifying investments.
• The law took effect on 7th October 2023, following its official publication in the Diário da República.

Additional Resources About the Portuguese Golden Visa

If you want to learn more about the Portugal Golden Visa application, make sure to read the following guides:

• Portugal Golden Visa Statistics: August 2024 Complete Update
• Working with a Portuguese Golden Visa Lawyer
• Portugal versus Spain Golden Visa Comparison Guide

Golden Visa Portugal: How Global Citizen Solutions Can Help You

The Portugal Golden Visa program is not ending, but the option to invest in real estate is.

However, there are several attractive investment options available to you. If you have decided to apply for the investment visa, here’s what we can do for you:

1. Firstly, our onboarding team can help you obtain your personal Portuguese tax number (known as a NIF) in 2 days. We can then open a Portuguese bank account or an escrow, which takes between 2 to 4 weeks.
2. Alongside this, you will meet your immigration and legal team to discuss your personal and family circ*mstances and help you gather all the documents required for your application.
3. Our investment teams will help you familiarize yourself with the market and assist you in understanding all the eligible options for the program, investment funds, donations to cultural projects and artistic production, investment in research activities, and more.

You’ll have three teams working in parallel to help you streamline your application while coordinating with each other. To provide you with an example, we will ensure that you won’t invest until all your documents and preparations are ready for your application to be viable and submitted.

Working with expert immigration lawyers can be greatly beneficial in times like these, and Global Citizen Solutions can ensure that your visa application process is smooth.

Start your application today and secure your Portugal Golden Visa. Click here to see how we can help you with your Golden Visa application.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Portugal Golden Visa Program Ending