Portugal revamped its Golden Visa program in 2024, excluding real estate acquisition and capital transfer as qualifying investment options. However, applicants can still meet requirements through various avenues:

1-Investment in Private Equity or Venture Capital:A minimum investment of €500,000 in a fund regulated by the Bank of Portugal or the Portuguese Securities Market Commission.
2-Capital Transfer to a Portuguese Bank:Transferring at least €1.5 million to a Portuguese bank.
3-Job-Creating Investments:Establishing a minimum of 10 jobs in Portugal with full social security contributions.
4-Investing in Portuguese Businesses: Supporting Portuguese commercial sector businesses with a minimum investment of €500,000.5-Donations Towards Portugal's National Heritage and Art:Donating a minimum of €250,000 to cultural projects.
6-Funding Research Activities:Making a donation of at least €500,000 for research purposes in the private or public sector.

Portugal Golden Visa program is considered stable and supported by various political parties in Portugal, offering a high standard of living in terms of healthcare, climate, infrastructure, stability, safety, and education. On top of that, The Portuguese golden visa program remains the only route to a European Union passport without a minimum 6-month stay at its investment level. So whether the Portugal Golden Visa is worth it depends on individual circumstances, investment goals, and long-term plans. It is essential to seek assistance from expert consultants and authorized agency like Citizenship Invest.

Through the Portuguese Golden Visa program, you can pursue citizenship in Portugal. After renewing your initial Golden Visa card twice, totaling five years, you become eligible to apply for permanent residency or citizenship.

Unlike other countries, residing in Portugal is not a requirement for citizenship eligibility. To qualify for citizenship, you must have no outstanding tax obligations in Portugal and maintain a clean criminal record in Portugal and your home country.

The Portuguese residency card acquired via the Golden Visa program grants the holder the right to travel throughout the EU Schengen area, and this program paves the way for eventual Portuguese citizenship.

Removal of Real Estate Investment Options:The program no longer allows any form of real estate investment as a means to obtain the Golden Visa.
Introduction of New Investment Routes:New alternatives include investing in film production in low-density areas for €200,000 and other emerging opportunities.
Renewal Process:The initial residency permit is valid for two years, requiring a minimum physical presence of 7 days in Portugal for renewal.
Citizenship Eligibility:The 5-year residency requirement for citizenship eligibility now starts from the date of submitting the Golden Visa application, rather than from the date the residence permit is issued. This accounts for the processing time and reduces the total time to citizenship.
Effective Date:These changes took effect from October 7, 2023.

The investment fund option allows you to recover your investment amount after 5 years, unlike real estate investments which are no longer eligible. This provides more flexibility compared to other investment routes. And the minimum investment required for a fund is €500,000, which is lower than the previous €1 million capital transfer option that is no longer available.