Membership

Portugal

Portugal Residency and Citizenship Programs

The Golden Visa Program launched by the Portuguese authorities in October 2012 is a fast track for foreign investors from non-EU countries to obtain a fully valid residency permit in Portugal. Under this program, non-EU citizens simply need to carry out one of the investments specified in the law to qualify for a residency permit in Portugal. This residency permit will allow the investor to enter and/or live in Portugal and to travel freely within the vast majority of European countries (Schengen space).

Aimed at attracting foreign investment to Portugal, the Golden Visa is a very straightforward and flexible program, with simple and clear legal requirements. With extremely reduced minimum stay requirements, the Golden Visa is one of the most attractive investor residency programs in the world.


Golden Visa Benefits

  • No need to obtain a visa to enter Portugal
  • No need to obtain a visa to travel in Europe (Schengen area)
  • Living and working in Portugal, even with residency in a different country
  • Residency extended to family members
  • Extremely low minimum stay periods
  • Permanent Residency after 5 years
  • Citizenship after 6 years


Life in Portugal

Location
Located in southwestern Europe in the Iberian Peninsula, Portugal borders Spain to the north and east and the Atlantic Ocean to the south and west. It is the westernmost country of mainland Europe. The Portugal-Spain border is 1,214 km (754 mi) long and considered the longest uninterrupted border within the European Union.

People
The total population is about 10.6 million. Approximately 80% of the population is Roman Catholic, with smaller percentages of other religions; approximately 8% claim no religious affiliation.

Language
The official language is Portuguese.

Climate
Portugal has a temperate maritime climate with hot summers and wet winters, affected by the Atlantic, Continental and Mediterranean influences. The climate also varies according to the altitude and proximity to the ocean.

Capital
The capital of Portugal and the largest city, Lisbon owes its historical prominence to its natural harbor, one of the most beautiful in the world. About 2.8 million people live in the Lisbon metropolitan area, which represents approximately 27% of the country's population. It is recognized as a global city because of its importance in finance, commerce, media, entertainment, arts, international trade, education, and tourism.

Time
Western European Time Zone UTC 0:00.

Economy
The economy of Portugal is of a mixed nature and functions in support of a high-income country. It is ranked 36th worldwide. Portugal is among the 20 most visited countries in the world, receiving an average of 13 million foreign tourists each year. The Portuguese currency is the euro (€) and the country has been a part of the Eurozone since its inception.