The initial application is now submitted online, including copies of the supporting documentation. After the request is approved by Serviço de Fronteiras e Estrangeiros (SEF), you will have to appear in person for an interview.

Initially, the interview would take place in the district where the investment was made. Nowadays, however, SEF will allow you to book the interview in any district of your choice. This change has helped reduce the waiting time overall, especially in the more popular districts such as Lisbon and Faro.

Usually, you complete the application through your lawyer, and it usually takes up to 2-3 months for pre-approval. It is technically possible to do everything on your own, but I wouldn’t recommend it.

Sometime after pre-approval, SEF will contact you with available dates to do your in-person biometrics appointment. As of January 2022, SEF is working through a backlog of applicants who were unable to secure appointments in the previous online booking system, so you may have to wait a few months to get an appointment scheduled. The good news is that the backlog has reportedly been shrinking fast, so I’d expect them to fully catch up already by spring 2022.

Year 1-2

Your residence card will allow you to live and work in Portugal, plus travel freely within the Schengen countries (you also need to bring your passport), without applying for any visas.
In the first two years, you must spend at least a total of fourteen days in Portugal.

To renew your residence permit and receive a new residence card, you need to go through a renewal application process between 30-90 days before your current residence card expires.

Year 3–4

Your new residence card is valid for two years. (There have been discussions to extend this to three years, but this may or may not pass.) During this period you need to be in Portugal for at least another total of 14 days (consecutive or non-consecutive).

Year 5+

After the fifth year, you can apply for permanent residency or citizenship (you can choose which one). If you don’t want to apply for either, you can continue renewing your Golden Visa every two years (at the end of year 6, year 8, and so on).

Portugal boasts a rich and diverse culture, Mediterranean climate, and a safe and stable setting, which is an ideal location for raising families, conducting business or simply for travel. Investors find many opportunities in Portugal’s secure and fast-developing market with access to the entire Schengen zone. 

• Portugal Is one of the oldest countries in Europe, located in the southwest of the Iberian Peninsula.
• Portugal is a relatively small country of approximately 11 million people. It is safe and stable with a low crime rate, an ideal country for raising families, conducting business, studying, or travelling.
• Portuguese Mediterranean climate is characterized by its mild winters and pleasant summers.
• It is known for its rich historical and archaeological heritage.
• Portugal offers many investment opportunities in the private and public sectors with its secure and fast-growing market with access to the entire Schengen zone.
• Portuguese is the primary official language, but English is widely spoken.
• The World’s and Europe’s leading destination by World Gold Awards.
• Preferred and most welcoming nation for expats.

Portugal boasts a rich and diverse culture, Mediterranean climate, and a safe and stable setting, which is an ideal location for raising families, conducting business or simply for travel. Investors find many opportunities in Portugal’s secure and fast-developing market with access to the entire Schengen zone. 

• Portugal Is one of the oldest countries in Europe, located in the southwest of the Iberian Peninsula.
• Portugal is a relatively small country of approximately 11 million people. It is safe and stable with a low crime rate, an ideal country for raising families, conducting business, studying, or travelling.
• Portuguese Mediterranean climate is characterized by its mild winters and pleasant summers.
• It is known for its rich historical and archaeological heritage.
• Portugal offers many investment opportunities in the private and public sectors with its secure and fast-growing market with access to the entire Schengen zone.
• Portuguese is the primary official language, but English is widely spoken.
• The World’s and Europe’s leading destination by World Gold Awards.
• Preferred and most welcoming nation for expats.