Portugal Golden Visa (Investment Residence)
Residence by investment with minimal stay — funds, culture or research, no longer real estate.
Official Germany & Europe pageWho this route is for
Investors who want Portuguese (and EU) residence with only a low physical-presence requirement (about 7 days/year average).
Eligibility requirements
- EUR 500,000 into a qualifying Portuguese venture-capital / private-equity fund (the most common route), OR EUR 250,000 cultural/heritage contribution, OR EUR 500,000 into research, OR job-creation routes
- Real-estate and capital-transfer routes were removed by the 2023 Mais Habitacao reform — property no longer qualifies
- Maintain the investment for the residence period (minimum ~5 years)
- Average physical presence of only about 7 days per year
- Clean criminal record and valid health insurance
Requirements reviewed June 2026. They change frequently — confirm the current rules on the official page before relying on them.
Recent changes & caveats
Still open for 2026 via the fund, cultural, research and job-creation routes; property and pure capital-transfer options are closed. Lei Organica 1/2026 (in force 19 May 2026) extended the citizenship clock from 5 to 10 years and starts counting from issuance of the residence card.
Other Germany & Europe routes
Germany Self-Employment / Freelance Visa (Sec 21)
TemporaryRun a business (Sec 21(1)) or freelance (Sec 21(5)) in Germany.
Netherlands DAFT Visa (Dutch-American Friendship Treaty)
TemporaryUS citizens can live in the Netherlands as self-employed with just EUR 4,500 in business capital.
Netherlands Startup Visa
TemporaryOne year to build an innovative startup with a recognised Dutch facilitator.
Portugal D2 Entrepreneur / Self-Employment Visa
TemporaryStart a business or work as a freelancer in Portugal.