Property is out; regulated funds lead
Since the reforms that closed the real-estate route, almost every new Portuguese Golden Visa application runs through a regulated investment fund, a research contribution, a cultural donation or a job-creating company. The fund route dominates because it is the most straightforward to document and the easiest to hold for the five years the program requires.
Choosing a fund is now the heart of the decision. Regulated funds differ sharply in strategy, lock-up period and liquidity, so the selection should be driven by your risk appetite and exit timeline, not by the residency permit alone.
“The question is no longer which apartment to buy, but which fund fits your risk appetite and timeline.”
What did not change
The features that made Portugal popular are intact: a physical-presence requirement of about seven days a year, the ability to include your spouse, dependent children and dependent parents in one application, and a path to permanent residency or citizenship after five years of legal residency while keeping your original nationality.
Portugal or Greece?
Greece still offers a property route, no stay requirement and a faster decision. Portugal asks for a small annual presence and a longer wait, but leads to an EU passport. If your priority is a second home with minimal obligations, Greece usually wins; if your priority is citizenship for the family, Portugal remains the clearer route.
Who still qualifies
Current routes and minimums are listed on our Portugal Golden Visa page and confirmed in writing at consultation.
Program requirements change. Speak to an expert for figures verified this month.
