Portugal, famous for its golden beaches, rich history, and charming lifestyle, has become one of Europe’s hottest destinations for Indians seeking long-term residency. The country’s Golden Visa Program offers an attractive pathway for non-EU nationals, including Indians, who dream of living in Portugal and later securing EU citizenship.

But while the Golden Visa sounds tempting, it comes with one major condition – you’ll need to make a substantial financial investment to qualify.

What is Portugal’s Golden Visa?

The Portugal Golden Visa is a residency-by-investment program launched in 2012. It allows investors and their families to:

• Live, work, and study in Portugal
• Travel visa-free across the 27 countries of the Schengen Zone
• Apply for permanent residency and eventually citizenship after five years

In short, this visa is a fast-track option for individuals who want to secure European residency without permanently moving right away.

Who Can Apply?

The program is open to most foreign nationals, including Indians, provided you meet certain requirements:

• Must be 18 years or older
• Should be a non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizen
• Must hold a clean criminal record both in India and any country of residence
• Should be able to make a qualifying investment in Portugal
• Must spend at least 7–14 days in Portugal per year to maintain residency

Investment Options Under the Golden Visa

Here’s where the ‘catch’ comes in – you must commit to one of the following minimum investment routes:

1. Fund Subscription – Invest at least €500,000 in a qualified Portuguese fund (like Venture Capital or Private Equity funds).
2. Business Creation – Start a new company in Portugal and generate 10 full-time jobs.
3. Business Investment – Invest €500,000 in an existing Portuguese company and create 5 full-time jobs for at least 3 years.
4. Research Contribution – Contribute €500,000 to a Portuguese research & development project.
5. Cultural Support – Donate €250,000 towards heritage preservation or cultural projects in Portugal.

Important Update: Since October 2023, real estate investment is no longer eligible for new Golden Visa applicants.

Documents You’ll Need

To apply for the Golden Visa, Indian applicants should prepare:

• Completed Golden Visa application form
• A valid passport (issued within the last 10 years, valid for at least 3 months)
• Recent passport-sized photos
• Police clearance certificate from India and recent countries of residence
• Proof of investment (bank transfers, confirmations, etc.)
• A Portuguese bank statement for the investment transfer
• Declaration to maintain the investment for 5 years
• Valid health insurance (covering €30,000 across Schengen countries)
• Tax and social security clearance from Portugal (issued within 45 days)
• Proof of application and processing fee payment

How to Apply – Step-by-Step

If you’re considering applying for Portugal’s Golden Visa from India, here’s the process:

Step 1: Obtain a Portuguese Tax Number (NIF) and open a local bank account
Step 2: Transfer funds from outside Portugal and make the eligible investment (to be held for 5 years)
Step 3: Collect, notarize, apostille, and translate all documents into Portuguese (if required)
Step 4: Apply online via Portugal’s official immigration portal – AIMA (Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo)
Step 5: Once approved, travel to Portugal for biometric data collection (fingerprints & photos)
Step 6: Receive your initial residence permit (valid for 2 years, renewable for 3 years). After 5 years, you can apply for permanent residency or citizenship

Key Updates & Things to Watch

• The Portuguese government has proposed certain amendments to nationality laws, which could affect Golden Visa holders in the future.
• These changes are still under review – so it’s important to check official updates before applying.

Final Thoughts

Portugal remains one of the top choices for Indians looking to settle in Europe thanks to its quality of life, lower cost of living compared to other EU nations, and smooth residency pathway.

However, while the Golden Visa opens doors to European residency and citizenship, it comes with a heavy financial commitment. If you’re serious about relocating, it’s wise to consult an immigration expert and explore which investment route suits your financial goals best.