The Golden Visa programme was initiated in Portugal in 2012 and is recognised as the most flexible and advantageous programme compared to any of its counterparts in Europe. It allows the applicant and their family members to obtain a temporary residence permit in Portugal. The condition for obtaining this document is a mandatory minimum period of stay in the country for one year. In Portugal, it is only 7 days. Upon first application, the residence permit is issued for a period of one year, after which it is renewed each time for another 2 years.
After 5 years, the temporary residence permit holder has the right to obtain a permanent residence permit or to apply for Portuguese citizenship and a Portuguese passport.
Both permanent and temporary residence permits in Portugal allow the holder to move freely in the Schengen countries, stay in the Schengen area without limitation in time, as well as work and study.
A residence permit is issued to both the applicant and immediate family members (husband/wife, children, parents).
The Portuguese passport entitles the holder to live and work in the EU and guarantees all constitutional rights to which Portuguese citizens are entitled.