Portugal’s Golden Visa Program — also known as the Residence Permit Program — is a five-year residency-by-investment scheme for non-EU nationals. The scheme grants qualifying investors and their family members the right to live, work and study in Portugal and permits free movement in Europe’s Schengen Area. To date, Portugal Golden Visa statistics show the program to be extremely popular among investors.
This article provides a comprehensive overview of Portugal Golden Visa data and statistics, showcasing just how international and renowned the scheme is among non-EU citizens.
Important Note about Portugal Golden Visa Statistics in 2022
The Portugal Golden Visa Program has undergone some changes recently. Specifically, several investment routes to residency have changed, namely the popular real estate investment option in Portugal’s popular urban locations, as well as the minimum amounts required to invest in investment funds and capital transfer.
While experts predict this will impact Portugal Golden Visa data, it remains yet to be seen just how exactly the numbers will change. Nevertheless, Portugal Golden Visa changes will certainly change the investment landscape in the country, diversifying investments to Portugal’s low-density locations and to its autonomous regions of the Azores and Madeira islands. For more information on what’s changed in relation to the real estate options, consult our guide on Portugal Golden Visa Low-Density Investment areas.
Check out the latest changes to the Portugal Golden Visa Program here.
New findings on the Portugal Golden Visa
Some key Portugal Golden Visa highlights from the Portuguese authorities’ latest findings include:
- 90% of Portugal Golden Visas Issued in the first quarter of 2021 are through property investment with 205 out of 228 residency permits issued through a real estate investment.
- The demand for the Portugal Golden Visa has skyrocketed in the first quarter of 2021, showing a positive correlation between the announcement of the Portugal Golden Visa changes and the surge in foreign investment.
- The Chinese are leading in the investment in the Portugal Golden visa, with a 33% increase in investments compared to 2019.
- Americans have invested 70% more in the Portugal Golden Visa compared to 2019.
Portugal Golden Visa numbers for April 2022
- In April 2022, 121 residence permits were authorized by SEF. 92 authorized golden visas were for the real estate investment category, 29 permits were issued for the capital transfer investment option and 0 permits were issued for the job creation category.
- In April 2022, 15 permits were issued to people of Chinese nationality.
- A total of 116 family members were rewarded with residence permits.
- Portugal’s Golden Visa Program saw a whopping €59 751 121,54 in April 2022 with investments.
Interestingly, the Portugal Golden Visa €350K renovations option is becoming more and more popular, with 26% of investors choosing this option in 2020. Meanwhile, the €350K Venture Capital/Investment Fund option is also proving popular, particularly in the face of Portugal Golden Visa changes, which has blocked investors from buying a property in urban cities like Lisbon and Porto from January 2022, along with other investment route changes. While buying a €500K property continues to hold esteem, it’s predicted that other investment routes will grow in popularity, particularly the Portugal investment fund golden visa option.
Interested to know more about the investment routes the Portugal Golden Visa offers? Check out our guide on how to invest in Portugal for citizenship.
Portugal Golden Visa All Time Facts and Statistics
- Since October 2012, over €6 284 311 472,72 in funds was invested for the Portugal Golden Visa.
- Since October 2012, €5 652 613 016,24 was attributed to a real estate investment
- 10 636 investors and 17 614 family members have benefited from the Portugal Golden Visa.
- 9 872, 90% of Golden Visa Portugal applications, were done through a real estate investment.
- 744 Golden Visas were granted for Capital Transfer investors
- A Portuguese passport grants you visa-free travel to 185 countries.
- As of 2018, in terms of top residency-by-investment programs, Portugal is positioned 6th in the world, second only to Spain and Quebec.
- While the Chinese remain the largest single applicant cohort, their share of the program is decreasing as other nationalities are applying for the program too.
Portugal Golden Visa data related to the program
- The minimum age to apply for the Golden Visa is 18 years old
- To apply for Portuguese citizenship via the Golden Visa, the person must hold their investment for five years at least
- 7 days on average is the minimum stay that the applicant must spend in Portugal to maintain the Golden Visa in the first year, followed by 14 days in the subsequent years (consecutively or non-consecutively) in Portugal.
- 20% is the value of the reduced tax rate for those who participate in the Non-Habitual Resident Tax Regime.
- 26 is the number of European countries belonging to the Schengen Zone to which the Golden Visa holder receives free access
- 90 days is the maximum processing time for the Portugal Golden Visa
Portugal Golden Visa data related to cost
Investment requirements for the Portugal Golden Visa:
- Applicants can only buy residential real estate in designated interior areas of Portugal worth at least €500,000 or €350,000 if investing in a rehabilitation project. If the residential property is located in a designated ‘low-density’ area, then a 20% discount applies.
- Investors can purchase commercial real estate anywhere in the country worth at least €500,000 or €350,000 if investing in a commercial rehabilitation project. If the commercial property is located in a designated ‘low-density’ area, then a 20% discount applies.
- Investors can buy residential and commercial real estate anywhere in Portugal’s autonomous islands of Madeira and Azores, worth at least €500,000 or €350,000 if investing in a rehabilitation project. If the residential or commercial property is located in a designated ‘low-density area, then a 20% discount applies.
- Capital transfer amount requirement will increase from €1 million to €1,5 million.
- Investment Fund minimum subscription requirement will increase from €350,000 to €500,000
- Investment in scientific research will increase from €350,000 to €500,000
- Investment into an existing Portugal-registered business will increase from €350,000 to €500,000
- Arts donation of €250,000 will stay the same.
Portugal ranking statistics
- Portugal is ranked first as the best country in Europe for expats
- Ranked number one in the world for its best master’s degree in information management
- Ranked number one as the best travel destination in Europe
- Ranked 3rd as the safest country in Europe
- Portugal ranks 4th in terms of its passport benefits for nomads and global citizens
- Portugal is in fifth place as the world’s most powerful passport, alongside Austria and the Netherlands
- Portugal is ranked 6th in terms of being one of the cheapest countries in Europe
- Portugal is ranked 9th in terms of the country with the lowest organized crimes
- Portugal comes in 10th place in the ranking of the world’s best democracies
- Portugal is ranked as 11th in terms of being one of the largest exclusive economic zones in the world
- Ranked as 12th for having the best healthcare system in the world
- Ranked 17th in terms of the quality of life it provides to its residents
- Ranked 21st in terms of its infrastructure quality
- Portugal ranks in 21st place for its life expectancy standards
- Portugal comes in 27th place for its quality of education
- Portugal comes in 28th place for its institutional transparency
Portugal socio-economic facts
- Population of 10.6 million people as of 2019
- Active population of 5.2 million based in Portugal
- There are 1.4 million youths in Portugal (under 15 years old)
- There are 6.6 million people in Portugal between the ages of 15 and 64 years old
- Over 2.2 million people in Portugal are elderly (over 64 years)
- The number of companies that opened in Portugal in 2019 are 47489
- As of August 2020, Portugal’s GDP stands at USD 240.7
- In 2018, Portugal’s GDP per capita stands at USD 23,407.91
- Portugal has an unemployment rate of 6.5%
- € 600 is the minimum wage in Portugal
- The demographic density of Portugal is 115.4 inhabitants / km ²
Portugal geographical facts
- 92212 km² is the total extension of Portugal
- 6.3 million kilometers is the length of the coast of Portugal
- +3 hours is the time zone in relation to Brasília
- 276 is the number of sunny days in Portugal, considered one of the sunniest countries in the world
- 7 is the number of regions in Portugal
- 18 is the number of districts in Portugal, in addition to 2 autonomous regions
- 308 is the number of municipalities in Portugal
- 3092 is the number of parishes in Portugal.
Portugal structure statistics
- 3100 kilometers is the length of the highways in Portugal
- 2600 kilometers is the length of the railways in Portugal
- 10 is the number of airports in Portugal
- 14 is the number of ports in Portugal
- 5735 is the number of educational establishments in Portugal
- 225 is the number of hospitals in Portugal.
- 3% is the mortality rate in Portugal during the coronavirus pandemic. As a result, it was the first country to receive a safe travel status, a seal that guarantees security for tourists visiting the country.
Learn more about the Portugal Golden Visa
Intrigued about the Portugal Golden Visa scheme but are unsure where to start?
Check out our helpful Ultimate Guide to the Portugal Golden Visa.
