Thinking of relocating to a safe and stable European country? Portugal, in Southwestern Europe, is the best destination for you. The country not only catches the eyes of global investors due to its diverse landscapes ranging from golden beaches and dramatic cliffs of the Algarve to the volcanic islands of Madeira and the Azores, but also due to the multiple business and lifestyle opportunities the Portugal residency by investment program provides. According to the Global Peace Index 2025, Portugal ranks 7th for being the safest country, providing a secure environment to its residents due to its low crime rates. In this blog, we will discuss how to become a citizen of Portugal or to get Portuguese residency.
Introduction: Why Portugal Is a Gateway to EU Citizenship
In today’s competitive world, many high-net-worth individuals, including businessmen and entrepreneurs, are considering moving to a country that opens doors to multiple opportunities for their career growth. Portugal, located on the western edge of Europe, provides these individuals with access to world-leading European markets. Not only the EU but also the African and American top markets too, as it is the connecting hub between Africa, America, and Europe.
Getting residency in Portugal under the Portugal Golden visa appears to be the ultimate choice for global investors as it provides them an easier route to Europe with the possibility of Portugal citizenship by naturalization. The individuals who get Portuguese residency or Portugal citizenship, apart from expanding their business beyond borders, also enhance their lifestyle and investment portfolio.
How to Become a Portuguese Resident
The residency requirements in Portugal are minimum, allowing many individuals to become Portuguese residents who have commitments in other countries too. As it requires a minimum 7-day stay a year, making it easier for people to secure residency. For investing in the Portugal residency by investment program, individuals need to fulfill the investment criteria and the following Portugal residency requirements to be eligible for the program.
The main applicant must be an adult, i.e, at least 18 years of age or above.
Must have a clean criminal record.
Hold investment for Portugal golden visa for at least 5 years.
Must be in good health condition.
To know the benefits of securing residency in Portugal, you can learn more about our Portugal Residency by Investment Program designed for global investors.
Understanding Portugal Residency by Investment (Golden Visa Route)
Portugal offers individuals from different parts of the world a leading residency by investment program, the Portugal Golden Visa. The program, launched in 2012, attracts foreign direct investments through diverse investment routes and was ranked 2nd in Western Europe and 16th globally by the Greenfield FDI Performance Index 2025, which ranks countries on the basis of how effectively they attract investment and tracks new investments like building new facilities. Portugal residency by investment program provides individuals with a 5-year residency permit, allowing them to live and work in a well developed European country, Portugal, with access to well-established European business markets.
The Portuguese residents also enjoy seamless travel due to the visa-free access its strong and powerful passport provides to Europe’s Schengen Zone, including many key destinations. Moreover, they can also include their loved ones in the Portugal golden visa application, which means they can bring their spouse, dependent children, and dependent parents with them in Portugal. These are the reasons why many individuals, including Americans and Scottish are choosing the Portugal Golden Visa program. You can have a look at the article linked to have more knowledge.
Portugal Golden Visa Investment Routes
Portuguese residency can be secured by other residency programs Portugal offers, such as the Portugal D-type visas, including the Portugal D8 Digital Nomad Visa, Portugal D7 Retirees visa, and Portugal D2 Entrepreneur visa.The individuals who want to have a second home in Portugal can understand the following investment routes its golden visa provides.
Non-Real Estate Investment Schemes
The Portugal golden visa requires €500,000 capital transfer to secure shares in the non-real estate collective investment schemes.
Portugal Residency by Cultural Activities Investment
The minimum investment required for securing Portuguese residency is €250,000 investment to support the culture, heritage, and projects related to arts in Portugal. This is the most affordable option among others.
Capital Transfer for Research Activities
An investment of around €500,000 is required under this route for supporting the R&D (Research and Development) Institutes or projects in Portugal.
Get Portuguese Residency by Job Creation
The individuals, by setting up companies or investing €500,000 in Portugal-based companies or by creating at least 5 full-time jobs, can become Portuguese residents.
Government-Approved Golden Visa Funds
An investment of €500,000 is required in a Portuguese venture capital fund or equity fund to secure residency in Portugal. The individuals need to consider that the investment must not be in real estate.
Pathways to Portuguese Citizenship
The best and most significant benefit of fulfilling residency requirements in Portugal is that you can possibly get Portuguese citizenship by naturalization, after 7 or 10 years of Portuguese residency. This answers the questions of individuals thinking about how to get citizenship in Portugal. Portugal Citizenship provides these individuals with the ability to access the efficient infrastructure of Portugal, excellent healthcare services, and high-quality education.
Portugal Dual Nationality & Nationality Law
Portugal allows dual nationality under the Portuguese Nationality Act, which provides relief to many global investors, as it states that individuals do not need to give up on their current nationalities to acquire Portuguese citizenship. This benefits many people as they, under Portuguese nationality law or Portuguese citizenship law, can access facilities of more than one nation. The process of how to apply for dual citizenship in Portugal is also not complex; it involves routes such as naturalization, descent, and investment.
Portugal Citizenship Requirements & Recent Law Changes
Previously, to get Portuguese citizenship, the timeline for residency requirements in Portugal was 5 years to become a Portuguese citizen but after the recent law changes, some amendments were made for the Portugal citizenship timeline from 5 years to 7 to 10 years now.
For EU nations and for Portuguese-speaking individuals, the time required for Portuguese residency is 7 years to become a Portuguese citizen. After that, they can get long-term stability in Portugal by securing its nationality.
However, for other individuals, a 10 year period is required for residency in Portugal. After that, they can apply for citizenship and possibly get it.
The extended timeline will help individuals better understand the Portugal culture, language, and heritage. After that, they can get citizenship of Portugal eventually. This will also ensure that investors coming to Portugal build stronger ties with the country. Even though the deadline extends, still the benefits and opportunities of Portuguese citizenship will remain the same for global investors.
Does Portugal Have Birthright Citizenship?
No, Portugal does not grant unconditional Portuguese birthright citizenship, which means people simply born in Portugal do not automatically become citizens of Portugal. After recent law changes in 2025, Portugal requires that at least one parent of the child must have resided in Portugal for a minimum period of at least 3 consecutive years, and the parents formally request child citizenship.
Conclusion: Start Your Journey from Residency to Citizenship
In 2025 or the coming years, individuals who get Portuguese residency under the Portugal residency by investment program will enjoy multiple lifestyle and business opportunities, such as EU access, visa-free travel, high-quality education, excellent healthcare, rich infrastructure, and beautiful landscapes. Portugal provides something for everyone. Especially its highly innovative cities, such as Lisbon and Porto, that are well known globally and highly attract investors from different parts of the world. Are you also thinking of starting your journey in Portugal, whether for work purposes or for enhancing your lifestyle? Then explore the Portugal residency by investment program and invest to live in a beautiful European country.