Rising Popularity of Portugal Golden Visa Among Foreign Residents
Portugal has become an increasingly popular destination for expatriates and investors. According to data shared by the Portuguese Agency for Integration, Migration, and Asylum (AIMA) in May 2024, the number of foreign residents exceeded 1 million in 2023—the highest ever recorded. This marks a 130% increase compared to 2022.
Over the past nine years, Portugal’s foreign resident population has continued to grow, reflecting the country’s appeal as a safe, affordable, and high-quality place to live.
Benefits of Portugal Golden Visa
European Residency
- Travel visa-free within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in a 180-day period
- Eligible for Portuguese citizenship and passport after five years, granting visa-free access to 191 countries
- The Golden Visa allows you to live, work, and study in Portugal. Full-time residents must have health insurance but gain access to public healthcare and education (including private international schools)
- Holders can enter Portugal anytime, even if borders are closed. Residency requires only 7 days per year in the country
Nature & Cultural Heritage
- Portugal enjoys over 300 sunny days per year, with warm summers and mild winters, making it one of Europe’s most pleasant climates
- The country offers everything from rugged mountains in the north to rolling vineyards, serene forests, and sun-drenched beaches along the Atlantic coast
- With over 1,800 km of coastline, Portugal is famous for its golden beaches, cliffs, and dramatic rock formations, especially in the Algarve
- Portugal has more than 30 protected areas, including Peneda-Gerês National Park, the only national park in the country, known for its wildlife and scenic beauty
- The country boasts 25 UNESCO World Heritage sites, including historic centers, cultural landscapes, and natural parks.
Family Inclusion
The Portugal Golden Visa covers:
- Spouses/partners, including same-sex couples (proof of a 2-year relationship required for unmarried partners).
- Children under 26 (after 18), if financially dependent, living with the investor, or enrolled at a university. Children born in Portugal automatically receive citizenship if their parents have held a residence permit for at least one year before birth.
- Parents (of both spouses) over 65 or younger, if financially dependent.
Safety
Portugal ranks 7th worldwide and 5th in Europe in the 2024 Global Peace Index (GPI), making it one of the world’s safest countries.
Access to Healthcare
If you live full-time in Portugal as a Golden Visa holder and register as a tax resident, you can access the public healthcare system (Serviço Nacional de Saúde, SNS) like other legal residents. However, private health insurance is still required for your residence permit.
Affordable Cost of Living
Portugal is one of the most affordable countries in Western Europe, offering a high quality of life at a lower cost compared to many other European and North American nations. This affordability makes it an attractive destination for families, professionals, and retirees alike.
According to Numbeo:
- Living costs are roughly 26.5% lower than in Canada and 36.6% lower than in the USA
- Rent prices in Portugal are about 45.5% lower than in the United States and significantly cheaper than in France, with overall living costs about 28% lower.
Access to Education
Public schools in Portugal are free for residents, including Golden Visa holders who choose to live in the country. Portuguese is the language of instruction, but some schools offer integrated language support programs for non-native speakers. Portugal has a wide range of private and international schools, including British, American, French, and German institutions.
Golden Visa holders can apply to Portuguese universities under the same conditions as local residents. Portugal has some of Europe’s top-ranked universities. Tuition fees at public universities are relatively low, ranging from €1,000 to €3,500 per year, while private universities tend to have higher fees. Courses are primarily taught in Portuguese, but many universities offer English-taught programs, especially at the master’s and PhD levels.
EU Citizenship in 5 Years
After 5 years, you can apply for Portuguese citizenship or permanent residency without living full-time in Portugal. A Portuguese passport allows visa-free travel to 172 countries, including the USA, Canada, UK, and Australia.
As of 2024, the Portuguese Parliament now counts the residency period from the day you apply, not from when the permit is issued.
Portugal’s foreign resident population has grown for 9 consecutive years, reinforcing its appeal to global investors.
Citizenship Requirements
- Stay an average of 7 days per year over five years
- Have no outstanding taxes in Portugal
- Provide clean criminal records from Portugal and their home country
- Demonstrate A2-level Portuguese proficiency (while Golden Visa holders don’t need to learn Portuguese to renew residency)
To meet the language requirements you can:
- Take the CIPLE (Certificado Inicial de Português Língua Estrangeira) A2 Exam – a basic Portuguese test assessing reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. Preparation courses are available.
- Complete 150 hours of Portuguese classes without the need to take the exam. Graduates receive an accredited certificate fulfilling the language requirement.
Children may take an adapted version of the language test or may not even be required to take it, if minor or attending a Portuguese school.