Patricia Casaburi
The Portugal Golden Visa is a residency-by-investment scheme that grants non-EU nationals a Portuguese residency permit in exchange for a significant investment in the country.
Launched in 2012, the Portuguese Golden Visa has several attractive benefits. These include the possibility of obtaining legal residency in Portugal, getting visa-free travel in the EU, and applying for European citizenship after five years.
The Golden Visa has provided thousands of foreign investors with residency in Portugal, and it’s an attractive option for people from New Zealand looking to make connections in Europe. In this guide on the Portugal Golden Visa for New Zealanders, we’ll dive into the program’s many benefits and you’ll also learn how to apply and what investment options are available.
Here’s what you’ll learn about this Portugal residency visa:
What is the Portugal Golden Visa?
The Portugal Golden Visa is a residency-by-investment program that allows non-EU citizens, including New Zealanders, to obtain residency in Portugal by making a qualifying investment in the country.
It is one of Europe’s most popular investment residency programs due to its relatively low physical stay requirements and the pathway it provides to permanent residency and citizenship.
As a New Zealand citizen, you can apply for the Portugal Golden Visa by investing in one of the approved categories. The most common investment options include contributing at least €500,000 to an investment fund, making a €250,000 donation to cultural or heritage preservation, or investing €500,000 in research and development.
Previously, purchasing real estate was a major route, but as of 2024, the program no longer accepts direct investments.
Once granted, the Golden Visa allows you to live, work, and study in Portugal while traveling visa-free across the Schengen Area. The residency permit is initially valid for two years, renewable for successive two-year periods, as long as you maintain the investment.
You must stay in Portugal for an average of seven days per year, making it a flexible option for those who do not wish to relocate permanently.
After five years of residency, you can apply for permanent or Portuguese citizenship, provided you meet the language requirements. Portuguese citizenship grants access to an EU passport, allowing you to live and work freely in any EU country.
Given Portugal’s high quality of life, favorable tax policies, and strategic location, the Golden Visa remains an attractive option for investors looking for long-term benefits in Europe. According to the Portugal Golden Visa statistics, this investment program has awarded 20,000 Golden Passports to families worldwide and raised over €4 billion in funds.
Benefits of Portugal's Golden Visa for New Zealanders
The Golden Visa in Portugal offers an array of benefits for New Zealanders, including the potential for EU citizenship after five years. Here are some of the program’s biggest advantages.
 | Right to live and work in Portugal: Portugal Golden Visa holders can live, study, and work in Portugal legally. Portugal has a very high standard of education, making it an excellent option to consider for your children's future. |
 | Family reunification: You can include your family in your Golden Visa application. Along with your spouse and children, you can also include your parents. |
 | Opportunity to become an EU Citizen: For New Zealanders, one of the most attractive aspects of the Golden Visa scheme is that after five years, you can apply for Portuguese citizenship as long as you fulfill all the other requirements. With a Portuguese passport, you can live, work, reside, and travel in any of the 29 EU member states. |
 | Affordable cost of living: While Portugal boasts an excellent quality of life, the affordability of living there is sure to catch your eye. Living expenses in Portugal are much cheaper than in New Zealand. |
 | Easy travel within Europe: When you move to Portugal, traveling to the rest of Europe is very easy. Lisbon, Porto, and Faro each have airports with international travel, where you can easily jump on a plane and explore a whole host of exciting cultures. |
 | Flexible stay requirements: The Golden Visa for New Zealanders provides an excellent opportunity if you are looking for a backup plan but are not ready to leave your homeland. With a flexible short-stay requirement, you will only be required to spend seven days on average in the country per year, and you'll be able to retain your Portuguese residency. |
Portugal Golden Visa Investment Options
For New Zealand citizens, a successful Golden Visa journey starts with an investment. This investment must be made before the application can be filed to qualify for the Golden Visa permit. Here is a summary of potential investment routes for the Golden Passport Portugal:
- Fund subscription: Make a contribution to Portuguese investment funds (such as private equity funds or venture capital funds) worth at least €500,000
- Investment or donation in the arts or reconstruction of national cultural heritage with a donation of at least €250,000
- Scientific research: Science or Technology research contribution of at least €500,000
- Creation of ten jobs: Creation and maintenance of ten jobs during the required period
- Share capital and job creation: Venture capital funds for a commercial company in the national territory or reinforcement of a company’s share capital. This company must have its head office in the national territory. The minimum investment of €500,000 is combined with the creation of five or maintaining ten jobs (five of them permanent).
The minimum investment amounts for options 2 and 3 may be reduced by 20% when the investment activity is carried out in low-density areas. These regions have fewer than 100 inhabitants per square kilometer or GDP per capita of under 75% of the national average.
Investment options that are no longer eligible
- Real estate investment: Acquire a real estate property worth more than €500,000 in Portugal.
- Real estate purchase: Buy a property with construction dating back more than 30 years or located in urban regeneration areas for refurbishing for a total value equal to or above €350,000.
- Capital transfer: Make a transfer of a value equal to or above €1.5 million.
Now that commercial and residential real estate investment is no longer available, the Golden Visa program shifted the focus towards investments with diverse sectors offering distinct investment mandates.
Eligibility for New Zealand Citizens
To be eligible for the Portuguese Golden Visa program, the main applicant must:
- Be either non-EU, non-Swiss, or non-EEA nationals
- Be able to prove the source of their investment funds
- Have a criminal record certificate proving the absence of conviction in a crime punishable in Portugal for one year or more.
- Spend at least 14 days in Portugal for each two years. You must maintain your investments in Portugal and meet the program’s renewal criteria to keep your Golden Visa residency status valid.
Required documents
- Portuguese Golden Visa application form
- Copy of a valid passport and travel documents
- Declaration from your bank in Portugal confirming the transfer of funds
- Proof of private health insurance in Portugal (only required if the investor resides in Portugal)
- Supporting evidence that they have invested the minimum amount required. A declaration of honor compromising to maintain the investment for five years is also needed.
- A certified copy of the clean criminal record or a police clearance letter from your country of origin
- A completed form authorizing AIMA to get an extract of your Portuguese criminal records
- Documents proving good standing with the Portuguese Tax and Customs Authority and Social Security system. These can be issued 45 days before your online application.
- A receipt showing that you already paid for the Golden Visa application processing fee
The certificates of criminal records or police clearance letters must have been issued no more than 90 days before submitting your application. All other certificates are 180 days. The Portugal Golden Visa documents and the application form must be legalized, translated into Portuguese, and then certified.
The translation can be certified by one of the three agents:
- A Portuguese Consulate
- A Portuguese lawyer
- An official notary
The Global Citizen Solution has a team of legal experts who can translate the documents for your Portugal Golden Visa process.
Take a look at our Portugal Golden Visa Guide by local experts
How to Get a Portuguese Golden Visa
The application process for Portugal’s Golden Visa can be challenging when doing it alone. Global Citizen Solutions can help you every step of the way. Here’s the step-by-step application process for working with GCS.
1. Onboarding: Initial discussions with the onboarding and legal teams covering the process as a whole, answering questions, helping you choose one of the qualifying investment options, and completing the process according to the regulations. |
2. Documentation: Gather all necessary documents for yourself and any family members. Ensure that all documents are translated, notarized, or certified. |
2. Bank account and NIF: In order to obtain the tax identification number (NIF) in Portugal, we will appoint a fiscal representative for you. After obtaining your NIF, we can help you open a bank account in Portugal. This can be done by us remotely and the Global Citizen Solutions will help you. |
3. Make the investment: We can begin securing your investment and will guide you through the necessary paperwork required to ensure a successful investment. |
4. Online application: Lodge your application online. |
5. Pre-approval: Your application will be pre-approved on the basis that you fulfill the necessary requirements. |
6. Biometrics visit: From the time you book your interview, it takes around two months until you can attend a Portugal Golden Visa biometrics appointment in person. |
7. Golden Visa issuance: After your biometrics, your Golden Visa has to be approved by AIMA (which replaced SEF as the Portuguese Immigration and Border Service). Pay the government permit issue fee. We'll then collect the residence cards on your behalf and send them to you. |
The Portugal Golden Visa processing time is usually between 12 to 24 months to approve and issue your temporary residence permit. The Golden Visa permit is valid for two years and must be renewed every two years. At the end of the fifth year, you can apply for a permanent residency permit and/or Portuguese citizenship.
Portugal Golden Visa Cost for New Zealanders
Are you wondering about the cost of the Portugal Golden Visa? The fees for submitting, granting, and renewing the residence permit are listed below. All government fees listed are payable per person, whether a main applicant or a family member. While the information is accurate as of publishing, AIMA can amend the fees without prior notification.
Application | Permit Issuance | Per Renewal *Expect to renew twice in a five-year period | Total Over 5 Years | |
Single Applicant | €605.10 | €6,045.20 | €3,023.20 | €12,696.70 |
Couple | €1,210.20 | €12,090.40 | €6,046.40 | €25,393.40 |
Family of Four | €2,420.40 | €24,180.80 | €12,092.80 | €50,786.80 |
Processing Time
Year 0
The visa application and the supporting documents are submitted online to AIMA. Once they approve your application, you then need to appear for an interview in person, in AIMA. As the main applicant, you and all your dependents can book the AIMA appointment simultaneously.
You’ll then need to wait between 9-12 months before your residence permit is issued. Once granted, the initial permit is valid for two years.
Year 2
After the two years are up, the residence permit must be renewed. The second permit is valid for two more years.
Year 4
The residence permit will be up for renewal at the end of year four. This can be renewed for another two years.
Year 5
You can apply for permanent residency and/or Portuguese citizenship at the end of the fifth year if you meet the requirements. Once the citizenship is granted, you can obtain a Portuguese passport.
Portuguese Citizenship Through the Golden Visa
The Portugal Golden Visa allows you to obtain a temporary residence permit for Portugal, which, after five years, can be turned into a permanent residency permit and Portuguese citizenship.
Both countries allow dual nationality, so you will not have to renounce your New Zealand citizenship if you decide to apply to become a Portuguese citizen.
To acquire Portuguese citizenship through the Golden Visa, you must spend at least seven days in Portugal in the first year and no less than 14 days for each subsequent two-year period.
This short-stay requirement is excellent for New Zealand nationals who are not ready to leave the beauty of their homeland just yet.
To get a Portuguese passport, you must keep your investment in Portugal during these five years. According to the Portuguese Immigration Law, another requirement for citizenship is providing proof of an A2-level understanding of the Portuguese language. One of the most popular ways for many exp[ats is by passing a Portugal Golden Visa language test.
Why choose Global Citizen Solutions for your Portugal Golden Visa?
- Global approach by local experts: A team of experienced local case executives, immigration lawyers, and investment specialists based in Portugal.
- Independent service:We are not a marketing agency for any projects. You will access all eligible routes for the Golden Visa, with over 40 vetted qualifying investment options, so you can decide on the best option for you.
- 100% approval rate: We have the unique distinction of never having had a Golden Visa case rejected and have helped hundreds of clients from more than 35 countries.
- All-encompassing solution: Our dedicated onboarding and immigration teams will assist you throughout the process and beyond with a single channel of communication.
- Transparency: Our fees are clear and detailed, covering the entire process with no hidden costs.
- Privacy: Your personal data is stored within a GDPR-compliant database on a secure SSL-encrypted server.
To see the full list of reasons why to work with Global Citizen Solutions for your Portugal Golden Visa, you can find out more here: Why Work with Global Citizen Solutions for Your Golden Visa Portugal Application?
Frequently Asked Questions About Portugal's Golden Visa for New Zealanders
What is the Portugal Golden Visa?
The Portugal Golden Visa provides investors with residence permits in Portugal, provided they make a qualifying investment in the country. The Portugal Golden Visa is a good option for them to secure EU residency, with the possibility of citizenship after five years.
Are New Zealanders eligible for the Portugal Golden Visa program?
Yes, New Zealand citizens are eligible for the Portugal Golden Visa program if they meet specific criteria. This includes being at least 18 years old, having a clean criminal record. and making a qualifying investment in Portugal.
What are the benefits of Portugal's Golden Visa for New Zealanders?
The Portugal Golden Visa offers New Zealand investors and their family members visa-free travel across the Schengen Area, the ability to live, work, and study in Portugal, and eligibility for permanent residence and citizenship after five years.
Can I get Portuguese citizenship through Golden Visa program as a New Zealand citizen?
Yes, you can. The initial Golden Visa residency card is valid for two years. It can be renewed every two years if the applicant continues to meet the investment and residency requirements. After five years of holding the temporary residency, it’s possible to apply for permanent residency and citizenship in Portugal.
What is the minimum investment required for New Zealanders to get a Portugal Golden Visa?
The minimum qualifying investment for the Portugal Golden Visa is €250,000, which is the donation pathway.
Can New Zealanders include family members in their Portugal Golden Visa application?
Yes, New Zealanders can include family members – including spouses, dependent children, and parents- in their Golden Visa application.
What are the residency requirements for New Zealanders with a Portugal Golden Visa?
Portugal’s Golden Visa program requires foreigners to spend a minimum period of seven days in the first year in Portugal, then a subsequent 14 days every two years
Is the Portugal Golden Visa renewable for New Zealanders after the initial period?
Yes, it is. Your initial Golden Visa residence permit is valid for two years and renewable for two more years. You can renew this temporary residence card again at the end of year four for another two years. At the end of the fifth year, you can apply for Portuguese citizenship if you meet the requirements.
