Portugal Golden Visa Residency Requirements in 2025

Why the Portugal Golden Visa Stands Out

Many residency programs in Europe come with a catch: you need to live there full-time, prove steady income, or uproot your entire life immediately. Portugal’s Golden Visa is different. It was designed with flexibility in mind, allowing Americans to enjoy European residency or gain citizenship, without giving up their U.S. base right away.

At the heart of that flexibility are Portugal’s residency requirements, which remain among the most lenient in the EU.

The Residency Requirements Explained

To maintain your Portugal Golden Visa residency, you and your family must:

• Spend at least 7 days per year in Portugal during the first permit period (2 years)

• Renew at year 2 and year 4 by demonstrating your investment and minimal stay compliance

• Keep your qualifying investment (such as a €500,000 investment fund or €250,000 cultural donation) in place for 5 years

• Include family members (spouse, children, dependent parents) under the same residency umbrella

That’s it.

No requirement to move full-time, show ongoing income, or spend the majority of the year in-country.

Why Minimal Stays Matter

For Americans, this requirement is a game-changer. Compare it to Portugal’s D7 visa, which is popular with retirees but requires full-time residence and proof of recurring income. For working professionals, business owners, or families with ties in the U.S., that simply isn’t feasible.

The Golden Visa’s 7-day-per-year rule means you can:

• Keep your career or business in the U.S.

• Spend summers or vacation time in Portugal or Europe without disrupting your life

• Use Portugal as a second base while testing the waters for eventual relocation

This flexibility makes the Golden Visa ideal for people who want to try living in a new country while maintaining their existing lifestyle. You get to live your life on your own terms not according to bureaucratic laws.

How Americans Use the Flexibility

Many Golden Visa holders adopt a “two worlds” lifestyle:

• Professionals who keep their U.S. base but spend part of the year in Portugal (or elsewhere in Europe)

• Families who plan for children to eventually study in Europe while maintaining their U.S. roots

• Retirees-in-transition who aren’t ready to leave the U.S. completely but want a European safety net

In practice, this often looks like summers on the Algarve coast, long weekends in Porto, or even a December holiday in Lisbon—all while keeping everyday life in America intact.

From Temporary Residency to Citizenship

The Portugal Golden Visa has a clear path forward for you and your family as well. You can choose to qualify for permanent residence or even attain Portuguese citizenship.

• Timeline: After 5 years of maintaining your residency (and your investment), you become eligible for permanent residency or citizenship.

• Language: You’ll need to pass a simple A2 Portuguese language test.

• Policy Watch: Portugal is debating a potential extension of the citizenship timeline to 10 years. While not enacted yet, it’s important to stay informed.

Even with possible changes, Portugal remains one of the shortest and most flexible routes to EU citizenship. But we always stress that getting started on your application really helps the most.

The Golden Visa as a “Two Worlds” Lifestyle Tool

For many Americans, the Golden Visa is less about moving immediately and more about securing options.

• A Plan B in case of political, financial, or personal shifts in the U.S.

• A gateway to Europe for family, travel, and education opportunities

• A legacy move that grants future generations the right to live and work across the EU

By requiring so little physical presence, Portugal makes it possible to live in two worlds at once: grounded in the U.S., yet open to everything Europe offers.

Final Thoughts

Portugal’s Golden Visa residency requirements are what make it unique. Just 7 days a year in-country keeps your residency valid—giving you the freedom to enjoy Europe without disrupting your life in America.

It’s a rare opportunity: flexible, secure, and future-focused.

Want to see if the Portugal Golden Visa is right for you? Learn more about the program here.