Portugal Golden Visa Alternatives provide legal residency through options like the D7 visa for retirees and remote workers, start-up and entrepreneur visas, or international programs in Spain, Greece, and Malta.
These alternatives give investors and expats flexibility to live in Portugal or Europe without relying on the traditional Golden Visa property investment program.
This article covers:
- Is Portugal Golden Visa being discontinued?
- How to move to Portugal without a Golden Visa?
- What is the D7 visa in Europe?
- What are the investment options for Portugal Golden Visa?
- What are the pros and cons of the Portugal Golden Visa given the recent updates?
Key Takeaways:
- Portugal residency is possible without a Golden Visa via D7 or entrepreneur visas.
- Interior regions and business investments remain viable for residency.
- International Golden Visa alternatives provide similar benefits and flexibility.
- The right pathway depends on investment size, location, and long-term goals.
My contact details are hello@adamfayed.com and WhatsApp +44-7393-450-837 if you have any questions.
The information in this article is for general guidance only. It does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice, and is not a recommendation or solicitation to invest. Some facts may have changed since the time of writing.
Can you live in Portugal without a Golden Visa?
Yes, it is possible to live in Portugal without a Golden Visa.
Portugal offers several other residency pathways, including the D7 visa, which is tailored for retirees and passive income earners.
This visa allows non-EU citizens to live in Portugal based on stable income from pensions, investments, or remote work.
Other options include work permits, entrepreneur visas, and family reunification permits.
These alternatives can provide legal residency while avoiding the high investment thresholds and recent restrictions associated with the Golden Visa.
Is the Golden Visa going away in Portugal?
No, the Portuguese Golden Visa remains available, but the program has undergone significant changes.
New proposals may further affect residency-to-citizenship rules.
What are the new Golden Visa rules in Portugal?
The new Golden Visa rules in Portugal limit eligibility to non‑real‑estate investment routes and increase minimum investment thresholds, focusing the program on economic, cultural, and job-creating contributions.
Key updates include:
- Removal of real estate investment: As of October 7, 2023, direct or indirect investments in residential and commercial property, urban rehabilitation projects, and property‑linked funds no longer qualify for new Golden Visa applications. This change was part of Portugal’s Mais Habitação reforms to redirect foreign capital from housing speculation toward sustainable economic development.
- Higher and restructured investment routes: The minimum qualifying thresholds now apply to specific capital allocation and economic contribution options rather than property purchases. These include regulated investment funds (minimum €500,000), research and innovation investments (minimum €500,000), cultural heritage support (€250,000), and job‑creating business investments.
- Investment fund focus: Investment in non‑real‑estate Portuguese investment funds (such as venture capital or private equity vehicles) remains a core pathway, requiring at least €500,000 with a significant portion (typically 60%) deployed into Portuguese companies.
- Economic and social impact: Current qualifying routes prioritise investments that demonstrably benefit the Portuguese economy, such as job creation, scientific research, and cultural preservation. These options aim to foster long‑term growth and regional development over speculative property investment.
Despite these changes, existing Golden Visa holders (including those who qualified via real estate before the reforms) can usually maintain and renew their visas under transitional provisions.
New applications, however, must align with the current investment categories.
What are the alternatives to the Golden Visa in Portugal?
You can get residency through the D7 visa, entrepreneur/start-up visas, or interior region investments in Portugal, and through other European programs abroad.
Within Portugal
- D7 Visa
- Who it’s for: Retirees, passive income earners, and remote workers
- Key requirements: Proof of sustainable income or pension; Portuguese health coverage
- Provisions: Residency permit allowing family inclusion; renewable and pathway to permanent residency
- Start-up and Entrepreneur Visas
- D2 Entrepreneur Visa
- Who it’s for: Entrepreneurs, freelancers, and independent business owners who want to start or run a company in Portugal.
- Key requirements: Must show a viable business plan and sufficient funds to establish and sustain a business in Portugal. There’s no fixed minimum investment, but applicants usually demonstrate financial means (often €5,000+ depending on business type) and proof of business viability.
- Provisions: Grants a residence permit for you and eligible family members, provides access to healthcare and education, and offers a pathway to permanent residency and citizenship. Applicants must incorporate the business in Portugal and run it from there.
- Startup Visa (Portugal Startup Visa)
- Who it’s for: Founders of innovative, high‑growth potential startups, especially in tech and knowledge‑based industries.
- Key requirements: Must secure support from a certified incubator in Portugal and present a business that focuses on innovation, scales internationally, and aims to create jobs (e.g., projected revenue or asset growth of €325,000 in five years).
- Provisions: Grants a residence visa or permit and allows family inclusion. Incubator support helps with paperwork, office space, and networking, making this option tailored for founders with scalable business ideas.
- Tech Visa
- Who it’s for: Highly qualified professionals hired by Portuguese companies certified in technology and innovation (often startups or innovative firms).
- Key requirements: The hiring company must be certified by the Portuguese support agency for competitiveness and innovation (IAPMEI).
- Provisions: This route fast‑tracks residency for key talent critical to tech companies, although it’s more about employment than creating a business yourself.
- D2 Entrepreneur Visa
Abroad
- Greece Golden Visa
- Who it’s for: Property investors with lower capital
- Key requirements: Purchase of qualifying property; proof of funds
- Provisions: Residency permit for 5 years, renewable; access to Schengen travel
- Malta Permanent Residence Program (MPRP)
- Who it’s for: Investors seeking EU permanent residence without long physical stay
- Key requirements: Combination of government contribution, real estate lease or purchase, and charitable donation
- Provisions: Permanent residence status, family inclusion, Schengen travel rights; no direct citizenship, but long-term stability
- Other European Programs (Italy, Latvia, Cyprus, etc.)
- Italy Investor Visa
- Who it’s for: Investors seeking EU residency with multiple investment routes
- Key requirements: Options include investing €250,000 in an Italian innovative startup, €500,000 in shares of an Italian company, €1 million donation to cultural or research projects, or €2 million in Italian government bonds.
- Provisions: Initial residency visa valid for 2 years, extendable for 3 more; eligibility for long‑term residence and eventual citizenship after ~10 years of legal residence.
- Latvia Residency Program
- Who it’s for: Investors seeking a cost‑effective entry to EU residency
- Key requirements: Investment typically starts at €50,000 in a Latvian business (plus government fees) or higher amounts in other qualifying assets.
- Provisions: Residency permit renewable; right to live, work, and travel within the EU Schengen area; possibility to apply for permanent residence and later citizenship after meeting residence requirements.
- Cyprus Residency by Investment
- Who it’s for: Investors looking for a relatively fast path to EU permanent residence
- Key requirements: Minimum investment of around €300,000 in real estate, commercial property, shares of a Cyprus company with employees, or local investment funds. Applicants must also show a secure annual income (e.g., €50,000+) to support themselves and dependents.
- Provisions: Permanent residency status granted quickly (often within a few months) with minimal stay requirements; not automatic citizenship, but eligibility to apply for citizenship after years of residence (e.g., ~7–8 years).
- Hungary Residency by Investment
- Who it’s for: Investors aiming for a straightforward EU entry point
- Key requirements: Proposals and programs discussed include investment of around €250,000 in investment certificates or higher amounts in property or donations (program specifics may evolve).
- Provisions: Residency permit (often long‑term), Schengen access, and future citizen eligibility with sustained residence. (Note: Hungary’s investor program details continue to evolve.)
- Italy Investor Visa
Countries like Ireland also offer immigrant investor programs granting residency in exchange for capital investment in enterprises or public projects.
However, these usually target higher investment thresholds and are structured differently from classic Golden Visa schemes.
Key benefits across these programs:
- EU Schengen access and mobility once residency is granted
- Family inclusion for spouses and dependents
- Paths to long‑term residence or citizenship depending on country and physical residence requirements
Each country’s program differs in investment amount, residency requirements, and timeline to citizenship, so investors should compare based on personal goals, budget, and long‑term plans for living or working in Europe.
What are the benefits of golden visa in Portugal?
The Golden Visa in Portugal provides residency, mobility, and a pathway to citizenship for investors and their families.
- European residency and Schengen access – Grants travel freedom across 26 Schengen countries.
- Pathway to citizenship – Golden Visa holders can apply for permanent residency or citizenship after five years.
- Family inclusion – Spouses, dependent children, and dependent parents can be included in the application.
- Investment flexibility – Investing in interior regions allows property or business options at lower costs.
- Tax advantages – Eligible applicants may benefit from Portugal’s Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) tax regime.
What are the disadvantages of a Portugal Golden Visa?
The main disadvantages of a Portugal Golden Visa are higher costs, limited property options, administrative complexity, and potential future changes.
- Higher investment requirements in approved regions – With Lisbon and Porto off-limits, investors may need to target less desirable areas or choose non-real estate investments.
- Limited property options – Restrictions make it harder to find high-value properties in prime locations.
- Administrative burden – Legal, immigration, and tax compliance requirements remain complex.
- Uncertain future changes – The program has shifted significantly already; further adjustments could affect residency rules or investment criteria.
Is a Portugal Golden Visa worth it?
Despite recent changes, the Portugal Golden Visa remains attractive for many reasons: access to Schengen mobility, a relatively straightforward path to permanent residency and citizenship, and tax advantages under the Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) scheme.
However, its appeal has diminished for those seeking property in Lisbon or Porto, given the new restrictions.
Investors may find that alternative visas, either within Portugal or abroad, now provide a better balance between cost, flexibility, and long-term benefits.
Conclusion
Portugal Golden Visa alternatives offer flexible paths for investors and expats to live in Portugal or the EU without relying on high-cost urban property purchases.
Whether through the D7 visa, the D2 entrepreneur route, interior region investments, or select European residency programs, options now emphasize strategic, sustainable investment rather than purely real estate.
Choosing the right pathway depends on personal goals, investment capacity, and long-term plans for mobility, family inclusion, and eventual citizenship.
Staying informed on regulatory updates ensures that residency decisions align with Portugal’s evolving immigration landscape.
FAQs
Which Golden Visa is better, Spain or Portugal?
When Spain’s Golden Visa was still active, Portugal was generally seen as more cost-effective with lower minimum investment thresholds and a faster pathway to citizenship.
Spain typically required higher property investments but offered similar Schengen access and family inclusion.
Ultimately, the choice depended on preferred location, investment amount, and long-term residency or citizenship goals.
Which is the easiest Golden Visa in Europe?
Greece and Portugal are generally considered among the easiest due to lower investment thresholds, straightforward residency requirements, and simplified application processes.
Can I get residency in Portugal if I buy a house?
Yes, but only in certain regions due to Golden Visa updates. Interior and low-density areas remain eligible for investment-based residency, while Lisbon, Porto, and coastal regions are now excluded.
What business is profitable in Portugal?
Tourism, hospitality, tech startups, renewable energy, and agribusiness are among the most profitable sectors.
Success depends on location, market demand, and compliance with Portuguese regulations.
Pained by financial indecision?
Adam is an internationally recognised author on financial matters with over 830million answer views on Quora, a widely sold book on Amazon, and a contributor on Forbes.
