Why Portugal?
Portugal is regarded as one of the best places to live in Europe, a good climate, affordable property and stunning scenery. As part of the Schengen Area, it gives you access to a market where you can move around, work, set up businesses and explore opportunities without needing a visa. For UK citizens especially, a route that restores lost EU access after Brexit has become very attractive.
The Golden Visa Route
Portugal offers a residency-by-investment programme with clear requirements and timelines. You invest a qualifying amount in government-approved assets:
- €500,000 into government-approved (CMVM-regulated) investment funds
- €500,000 into a new or existing business creating at least five permanent jobs
- €250,000 in support of Portuguese cultural or national heritage
Real estate purchase no longer qualifies. Once the investment is approved you hold residency, needing to spend just about 7 days per year in Portugal. After five years you can apply for permanent residency, with a route to Portuguese citizenship thereafter, seven years for EU/CPLP nationals and ten years for other nationalities under the 2026 Nationality Law (earlier "citizenship after five years" claims are out of date).
Eligibility and Documents
To qualify, UK citizens make an approved investment, open a Portuguese bank account and obtain a taxpayer number (NIF). You will need to meet the residency criterion and submit:
- Investment details and confirmation from a Portuguese entity that the transaction has occurred
- A completed application form
- Security checks confirming a clear criminal record
Documents must be submitted in Portuguese; those in English must be translated by an accredited translator before submission. The key advantage is certainty: comply with the programme requirements and the pathway is straightforward.
A new life in Portugal can be the perfect retirement or a doorway to new opportunities, a launchpad for a different way of living, in beautiful surroundings with a welcoming culture.
