How Portugal citizenship by investment works

If you’re thinking about applying for another passport, citizenship by investment programmes are one of the possible routes. Portugal is a country you might want to consider, as it has a scheme that could help you achieve this.

In this guide, we’ll introduce you to the essentials of obtaining Portugal citizenship by investment as a UK citizen. We’ve included information about the costs, requirements and benefits of taking this route.

We’ll also introduce a reliable and cost-effective way to help you manage your money abroad and send large sums to Portugal from money services provider Wise.

With low, transparent fees*, great mid-market exchange rates and secure, trackable transfers, Wise makes international money transfers simple and stress-free. Plus, you’ll get dedicated support and volume discounts when sending large amounts.

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Please see the terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.

This content is produced in partnership with Jason Swan for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax or legal advice. Personal circumstances vary; always consult a qualified professional, such as the team at Jason Swan Privé, before making financial decisions.

How do citizenship by investment visas work?

A citizenship by investment visa is a way to get a foreign passport by making a significant financial contribution to that foreign country’s economy. This can usually be achieved by investing in real estate, government bonds or national development projects.¹

📚 Countries that offer citizenship by investment

Portugal citizenship by investment

On June 23 2025, the Portuguese government put forward proposed amendments to its nationality law, which could affect holders of the investment visa (also known as Golden Visa). These changes included extending the citizenship application period from 5 to 10 years and initiating this count only after a residence card is issued.²

However, on November 13 2025, the Socialist Party bypassed the President to request a Constitutional Court review of the draft law. Following this request, in December 2025 the Constitutional Court rejected four out of seven of the proposed changes to the Nationality Law.²

Currently, these proposed changes are not yet law. Due to the Constitutional Court's decision, the President is now required to send the bill back to parliament for further revisions or annulment.

EU immigration specialist, Jason Swan suggests that the Portugal citizenship by investment option is a popular option. This is because it’s ideal for:

“High net-worth individuals seeking a "Plan B" for political or financial reasons but also those looking to attain travel freedom, overseas education and/or access to healthcare for their family.”

The Portugal citizenship by investment programme was founded in 2012 and it has gone through several changes since. The most recent version involves meeting some residency requirements as well as making a financial investment.²

One of the fastest ways to get a Portuguese passport is through the Golden Visa scheme. After holding this visa status for only five years, you can apply for Portuguese citizenship. What’s even better is that those five years start from the date of the first residency application, not the date of acceptance.²

The five-year rule in the Portuguese citizenship timeline potentially could extend to ten years. Given the proposed change to the law, it’s always best to verify the most up-to-date information from the official Portuguese government site before you apply.²

However, participating in the programme through investing in real estate is no longer possible. Since this visa scheme was blamed for amplifying a housing crisis in Portugal, the available options now include investing in different funds or donating to cultural and research projects.³

Portugal citizenship by investment requirements

In order to get Portuguese citizenship by investment, you’ll need to spend at least 7 days of a year (35 days in five years) in the country.² There are also other requirements, such as passing a Portuguese language test and having a clean criminal record.

When it comes to investment methods, you can choose between:²

• Creating ten jobs
• Investing in a qualifying fund or scientific research
• Donating to an artistic production
• Investing in the recovery or maintenance of the Portuguese cultural heritage.

Any dependents you might like to add to your visa also must meet certain criteria. You can include your spouse, dependent children up to 26 years of age, parents older than 65 and siblings younger than 26. They can only qualify if they depend on you financially.⁴

How long does it take?

After having a Portuguese residency permit for five years, you can apply for a passport. This will require an additional few months, so the entire process can take up to five and a half years.²

How much is a citizenship by investment visa in Portugal?

The investment amount depends on the option you choose. Here are the costs for each of them:²

• Investing in a fund - €500,000
• Contributing to scientific research - €500,000
• Donating to an artistic production - €200,000
• Investing in the recovery of the national cultural heritage - €200,000

Besides this, there are some additional fees included. For example, you need to pass a Portuguese language test and pay a passport fee. The fee is €65 when applying from Portugal and more if you’re doing it from another country.

Additional fees

Fee	Cost	When
Processing fee2	€773.74 (plus €83 per dependent)	Once at the beginning and at each renewal
Initial application fee2	€7,730 per person	Payable in full at the start
Renewal fee2	€3,866 per person	Paid at each renewal

Since you'll have multiple expenses to take care of, you’ll need a cost-effective way to manage all of the passport and visa fees in a foreign currency. The Wise account from the money services provider Wise allows you to send and receive money from 140+ countries with mid-market currency exchange and low, transparent fees*.

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Check out our currency convertor below for the latest exchange rate:

Benefits of Portugal’s citizenship by investment visa

According to EU immigration specialist, Jason Swan, Portugal has been a popular choice for many due to the minimum stay being so low.

“All other EU countries require at least 6 months minimum stay each year and in turn tax residency. Spain used to be close second to Portugal, however, it closed its Golden visa programme back in 2025.”

Here are some benefits you’ll have if you apply for the Portuguese Golden Visa:²

• Visa-free travel to 190+ countries
• Being able to work and study in the EU
• Access to the Portuguese social security system
• Free public healthcare
• Quality of life

Can you retain your original citizenship and passport?

Yes, you can keep your UK passport, since Portugal allows dual citizenship.²

Manage your money internationally with the Wise multi-currency account

Although it’s not possible to get a Portuguese passport solely through investing, the Golden Visa route is still a good option. It’s important to understand how this scheme works and how it can lead you to citizenship, but make sure to keep an eye out for any updates.

Applying for Portuguese citizenship in this way requires thorough financial planning. Opening a Wise account can help you avoid any additional hidden costs and allow you to send money from the UK with low fees*.

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The Wise account can be used in multiple countries as an alternative to a bank account, including in Portugal. It comes with transparent fees* and uses the mid-market exchange rate for all transactions.

You can even rely on Wise’s specialist large amount transfer team to help you move large amounts of money, such as those needed for your citizenship by investment visa.

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Portugal citizenship by investment FAQs

Here are some of the commonly asked questions about Portugal citizenship by investment:

Is the Portugal golden visa the same as citizenship by investment?

They’re not the same, but they’re connected. There’s actually no citizenship by investment visa in Portugal anymore, but the Golden Visa can help you get a Portuguese passport faster.²

Why did Portugal change its golden visa?

Since the Golden Visa real estate investments contributed to a housing crisis in Portugal, the government removed this option.³

How can a UK citizen become a resident of Portugal?

UK citizens can become residents of Portugal by applying for the Residency visa, Golden Visa or D7 Visa.⁵

What is the fastest way to get Portuguese citizenship?

The Golden Visa is the fastest way to get a Portuguese passport, due to the short processing time.⁶

This content is produced in partnership with Jason Swan for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax or legal advice. Personal circumstances vary; always consult a qualified professional, such as the team at Jason Swan Privé, before making financial decisions.

Sources used:

1. Global Citizen Solutions - citizenship by investment schemes
2. Get Golden Visa - Portugal citizenship by investment
3. Reuters - Portugal Golden Visa changes
4. Immigration Advice Service - Portugal citizenship by investment
5. Immigration Advice Service - moving to Portugal from the UK
6. Immigration Advice Service - Portugal citizenship routes

Sources last checked on date: 20-Feb-2026