The Golden Visa, also referred to as The Golden Residency Permit (GRP) programme or The Residency Permit for the Investment Activity (Autorização de Residência para Atividade de Investimento - ARI), is designed to encourage investment in Portugal by non-EU citizens in exchange for granting residency status. 

In order to qualify, one of the following investment conditions in Portugal must be met:​

• A capital transfer with a value equal to or above €1 million into a bank account held by the applicant or the purchase of shares in companies in Portugal;
   
• The purchase of real estate with a value equal to or above €500,000;
   
• The creation of at least 10 new job positions. Where the investment is made through a company, only the proportion of the capital actually invested by the applicant of GRP shall be assigned to him/her. The investment must be held for a minimum of 5 years from the date of issue of the GRP permit. It may be subsequently renewed as often as the applicant wishes and continues to comply with the qualifying requirements of the programme. Applicants may apply to swap from one qualifying investment to another, subject to reinvesting the capital within a maximum period of three months from the moment where they formally abandon the first investment.
   
• Acquisition of real estate property whose construction has been concluded at least 30 years ago or which is located in an urban rehabilitation area and rehabilitation works have taken place on the acquired real estate property to a total value which is equal to or greater than €350,000;
   
• Transfer of capital equal to or greater than €350,000, which is used for the purpose of research activities conducted by public or private scientific research institutions that are part of the national scientific and technological system;
   
• Transfer of capital equal to or greater than €250,000, which is used to invest in or support artistic production or recovery or maintenance of national cultural heritage via direct, central and peripheral administrative services, public institutes, entities that are part of the corporate public sector, public foundations, private foundations with a public utility status, inter-municipal entities, entities that are part of the local corporate sector, associative municipal entities and public cultural associations that take part in artistic production and recovery or maintenance of national cultural heritage;
   
• Transfer of capital equal to or greater than €500,000 earmarked for acquiring shareholdings in investment funds or risk capital funds directed at capitalising small and medium enterprises that submit their respective capitalisation plan for the purpose, and said plan is considered feasible.

• No visa required to visit Portugal or rest of the Schengen Area
   
• Freedom to live & work in Portugal (even if resident in another country)
   
• Eligible for permanent residency after 5 years
   
• Eligible for citizenship after 5 years
   
• Residency can be extended to a family
   
• Property can be rented to generate income
   
• Property can be sold after citizenship is acquired​ 
   

• Hold real estate investment for at least 5 years;
  
  
• Spend a minimum of 7 days in Portugal for the first year, then no less than 14 days each subsequent two-year period;
  
  
• Present a valid Schengen visa upon entry to Portugal;
  
  
• Provide a clean criminal record;
  
  
• Source investment funds from outside of Portugal;
  
  
•  Open a Portuguese bank account and get a tax number.​​