The Portugal Golden Visa, formally the residence permit for investment activity (ARI), lets non-EU nationals and their families obtain Portuguese residency through a qualifying investment. Bayraktar Attorneys guides foreign clients through the current routes and the whole application in English.
Portugal launched the program in October 2012, and it has attracted billions of euros in investment. It grants residency with a well-known pathway to permanent residence and, in time, Portuguese citizenship, while you keep your existing nationality. The routes and thresholds are set by the Portuguese government and have changed, so we confirm the current requirements in your consultation.
Talk to an English-speaking lawyer about the Portugal Golden Visa. The first consultation is free and there is no obligation.
The Portugal Golden Visa has changed significantly, and choosing a route that still qualifies is now the most important early decision. We work with foreign clients to select a compliant option and manage the process from start to finish.
Our support covers the whole journey:
Since the 2023 reforms the emphasis has moved away from real estate and toward funds and productive investment. We confirm which of these routes is open and suitable when you apply.
A subscription into qualifying Portuguese investment or venture capital funds, currently from around EUR 500,000, is now one of the most common routes. The fund must meet the program criteria, and we review its documentation and eligibility carefully before you commit.
Other routes include a capital transfer into approved activities and contributions to scientific or technological research carried out by recognised institutions. Each has its own minimum, which we confirm at the time.
A contribution supporting artistic production or the recovery and maintenance of Portuguese cultural heritage can qualify, often at a lower threshold. We explain what counts and how the contribution is documented.
Investing in or forming a company that creates or maintains jobs in Portugal is also recognised. We coordinate any company formation this route requires.
Portugal remains one of the most attractive European programs because of its flexibility and its route to citizenship. Holders typically enjoy:
The Golden Visa is open to non-EU nationals of good standing who can make a qualifying investment. In general you should:
One application can include your spouse or partner, your dependent children, and dependent parents. Family members share the same low presence requirement and can build toward permanent residence and citizenship alongside you. We confirm the current dependency rules for your situation.
The Golden Visa is a temporary residence permit that you renew while you hold the qualifying investment. It is best understood as the first stage of a longer plan.
After five years of lawful residence you may become eligible to apply for permanent residence or citizenship, subject to conditions such as a basic Portuguese language test (commonly at A2 level) and a clean record. Citizenship is decided by the Portuguese authorities on their own criteria, and Portugal generally allows dual nationality, so most clients keep their existing passport. We set out a realistic timeline for your case.
Holding a Golden Visa does not by itself make you a Portuguese tax resident, since the presence requirement is low and tax residency generally depends on where you actually live and spend your time.
If you do move your tax residence to Portugal, your worldwide position and any available regimes should be reviewed in advance, as the rules in this area have changed. We work through the practical obligations with you and, where helpful, with a tax adviser, before you make a decision.
We confirm which routes are currently open, recommend the best fit, and set out costs, timeline and documents.
We obtain your Portuguese tax number, help open a bank account, and carry out due diligence on the fund, project or investment.
We review the investment documents and complete the qualifying investment in line with the program rules.
We submit the residence application for you and your family and arrange biometrics.
We handle renewals and advise on the permanent residence and citizenship steps after five years.
We work daily with international clients, entirely in English, and explain the changing rules plainly.
We track the frequent changes to the program so you invest only in a route that still qualifies.
We review funds and projects on their merits, acting for you rather than a promoter.
We stay with you from the first application through to permanent residence and citizenship.
Atty. Nevzat Oğulcan Bayraktar
Confidential, English-speaking guidance through the current routes and the citizenship pathway.
This page provides general information about the Portugal Golden Visa in Turkey and does not constitute legal advice. For guidance on your specific situation, please contact Bayraktar Attorneys for a consultation.
