Yes. Any non-EU/EEA/Swiss national aged 18+ can apply, and in 2026 Americans are the single largest nationality pursuing the Portugal Golden Visa. The US recognises dual citizenship, so a Portuguese passport doesn’t jeopardise US status, and the programme’s low ~7-days-a-year stay requirement makes it a practical EU "Plan B" without relocating. The main complexity for Americans is tax — US worldwide taxation, PFIC rules on funds, and FATCA reporting all need handling.
According to Jason Swan, who has guided 320+ Portugal Golden Visa applications, Americans are now the largest single group he sees — and their questions are consistent: am I eligible, can I bring my family, and what does it do to my US taxes? Here are the straight answers.
Are US citizens eligible?
Yes. The Portugal Golden Visa is open to any non-EU/EEA/Swiss national aged 18 or over who makes a qualifying investment. There is no US-specific restriction. On 2025 data, Americans were the top nationality investing in the programme.
Why so many Americans choose Portugal
- Dual citizenship is fine. The US permits dual nationality, so obtaining Portuguese (and therefore EU) citizenship down the line does not require giving up your US passport.
- It's a genuine "Plan B." The ~7-days-a-year presence requirement means you secure EU residency — and an eventual path to citizenship — without relocating or disrupting your life in the States.
- The fund route suits US investors. Most Americans use the €500,000 regulated-fund option rather than a donation, keeping the capital invested.
Who you can bring: family reunification
One application can cover your immediate family. Eligible dependants include:
- Your spouse or legal partner;
- Children under 18;
- Dependent children under 26, if unmarried and in full-time education;
- Parents over 65 (and in some dependency situations, younger).
The family shares the single qualifying investment; each member adds government and legal fees rather than a second investment.
The part Americans must get right: tax
This is where US applicants need real, specialised advice — and where a generic immigration adviser is not enough.
- Worldwide taxation: the US taxes citizens on global income regardless of where they live. A Golden Visa does not change that.
- You're not automatically a Portuguese tax resident: that generally only happens if you spend more than 183 days a year in Portugal. Most Golden Visa holders stay well under that.
- PFIC rules: many Portuguese investment funds are treated as Passive Foreign Investment Companies for US tax purposes, triggering Form 8621 and potentially punitive treatment if not structured carefully. This alone can determine which fund an American should choose.
- FATCA: foreign accounts and holdings carry US reporting obligations.
- NHR is gone; IFICI replaced it: Portugal's old Non-Habitual Resident tax regime closed to new applicants after 2024. Its successor, IFICI, offers a 20% income-tax rate to qualifying professionals — but only if you actually become resident and meet the criteria.
For the routes, costs and full timeline, see the complete Portugal Golden Visa guide.
