Portugal Golden Visa 2025: 11 Misconceptions Explained

Misconception 1: Obtaining citizenship by buying real estate

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Many investors still believe that buying property in Lisbon or Porto qualifies them for the Golden Visa. This has not been the case since October 2023, when the Portuguese government enacted the Mais Habitação reform (Law 56/2023), which eliminated all real estate and capital transfer options.

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The Reality:

• Portugal eliminated all real estate-based options from the Golden Visa.
• Current eligible options, as clarified in legal commentary on Law 56/2023, include:
  • €500,000 in regulated private equity or venture capital funds (non-real-estate funds, ≥5-year maturity, 60% invested in Portuguese companies).
  • €250,000 transfer of capital to support artistic production or the restoration of cultural heritage (generally non-refundable cultural support).
  • €500,000 in research and development (R&D) activities.
  • Business and job creation: incorporation of a company with at least 10 new full-time jobs (or, in specific cases, €500,000 company capitalization combined with the creation or maintenance of at least 5–10 permanent jobs).

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Why the Change?

The European Commission has repeatedly criticized real-estate-linked residency programs for fueling property speculation. By moving to funds, innovation, and culture, Portugal aligned its program with EU priorities and improved long-term credibility.

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Misconception 2: Investors can apply without a local lawyer or representative

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Because application forms are available online, some believe they can apply independently.

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The Reality:

• Applications involve apostilled documents, certified translations, and direct communication with AIMA (Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo).
• Errors — even small — can lead to significant delays in the process.
• A local lawyer makes sure you follow Portuguese law and talks to the authorities on your behalf.

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Why professional support helps:

• Ensures documentation is properly certified and translated.
• Confirms compliance with Portuguese and EU law.
• Provides representation with immigration authorities (AIMA allows legal representatives to act on behalf of applicants).
• Reduces the risk of rejection due to avoidable errors.

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Misconception 3: Golden Visa approval is faster if you choose a specific route

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A frequent misconception is that some Golden Visa routes — such as cultural support, R&D, or funds — benefit from faster approval times.

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The Reality:

In practice, processing times for Golden Visa / ARI applications are lengthy and subject to backlog, regardless of the investment route.

• Portuguese law provides no priority processing by investment category. All applications fall under the same framework of the Código do Procedimento Administrativo (Administrative Procedure Code), which establishes the principle of equality and requires decisions within a reasonable timeframe.
• AIMA evaluates every Golden Visa application under Article 90-A of Law 23/2007, regardless of the route chosen. There is no legal “fast track” for funds, culture, or any other qualifying option.
• Delays are primarily due to administrative backlog and documentation issues. Since April 2025, AIMA has clarified that only complete applications will be accepted, meaning any missing or incorrect document can extend the ti1meline.

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How VIDA helps:

VIDA guides investors with a realistic timeline and clear expectations. We coordinate with independent legal advisors to ensure that every application is complete and compliant before submission. This minimizes delays caused by missing documentation and gives investors confidence that their process is managed under the same rules that apply to all Golden Visa routes.

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Misconception 4: Investors must live in Portugal full-time

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Some investors think the Golden Visa requires them to move permanently to Portugal.

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The Reality:

• Holders only need to spend 14 days in Portugal every two years to keep their permit active.
• This requirement applies to maintaining the residence permit under the ARI (Golden Visa) regime; it is not a tax-residency test (tax residency applies if you spend 183+ days/year or have a habitual residence).
• AIMA operates a dedicated Portal ARI and Lojas AIMA to centralise procedures and appointments for investors, which reduces the need for multiple in-person visits. This is one practical reason the program can work with minimal physical presence.

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Why This Matters:

Portugal’s Golden Visa combines flexibility of presence with a path to citizenship, making it one of the few programs in the world where investors do not need to disrupt their existing lifestyle to achieve EU mobility and security.

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Misconception 5: The residence card is valid for 5 years straight away

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Some investors assume they receive a 5-year residence card immediately upon approval.

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The Reality:

Under Lei n.º 23/2007 (Articles 90.º-A and 80.º), the rules are:

• The first Golden Visa residence card is valid for 2 years.
• After that, the permit is renewed in successive 2-year periods.
• Once an investor has held temporary residence for 5 years in total, they may apply for permanent residence or citizenship.

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This staged process is intentional: it ensures regular due diligence checks while still offering a clear and predictable path for compliant investors.

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Misconception 6: The Golden Visa leads to automatic citizenship

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Some investors have misunderstood the Golden Visa, believing that holding it automatically results in Portuguese citizenship after five years.

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The Reality:

Citizenship is not automatic. After 5 years, Golden Visa holders may apply for Portuguese nationality, but approval depends on meeting specific legal requirements:

• Maintaining legal residence in Portugal, with the minimum physical presence requirement of 14 days every 2 years. One of the lowest in Europe. In comparison Greece requires 183+ days/ year of residency for 7 consecutive years.
• Proving knowledge of Portuguese at A2 level, which can be achieved either by passing the official CIPLE exam or by completing an accredited 150-hour course (135 hours mandatory, with flexible scheduling and official certification and no exam).
• Maintaining a clean criminal record, as required under nationality law.

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Portugal is one of the few EU countries offering such a short 5-year pathway from residency to citizenship, but every application is subject to evaluation and approval by the authorities.

Misconception 7: Buying Portuguese citizenship directly

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Some investors confuse Portugal’s Golden Visa with Caribbean Citizenship-by-Investment (CBI) programs, assuming that Portugal sells passports.

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The Reality:

• Portugal does not have a citizenship-by-investment program. It offers residency-by-investment through the ARI (Golden Visa).
• Citizenship can only be requested after 5 years of holding the Golden Visa (subject to language and criminal record requirements.)
• There is no direct purchase option for Portuguese nationality. The European Commission has explicitly differentiated residency schemes like Portugal’s from “citizenship-for-sale” models.

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Misconception 8: All family members are automatically included

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Some investors believe that once they apply, their spouses, children, and parents are automatically covered under the Golden Visa.

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The Reality:

Each family member must:

• Be specifically listed in the application.
• Submit their own documentation.
• Pass background checks.
• Pay the relevant government fees.

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Eligible family members include:

• Spouse or de facto partner.
• Financially dependent children.
• Dependent parents and in-laws.

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Legal basis:

• Lei n.º 23/2007, Art. 98.º – Reagrupamento familiar (Family Reunification)
• AIMA – Family Reunification

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Misconception 9: Citizenship by investment gives a “different passport”

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Some investors believe that naturalised citizens receive a second-class passport with fewer rights than citizens by birth.

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The Reality:

• Portuguese nationality law makes no distinction between citizens by birth and those who acquire citizenship later. All Portuguese nationals are equal before the law.
• Passports issued after naturalisation are identical to those issued by birthright.
• Citizenship confers the full rights of EU citizenship, including:
  • Visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 190 countries (Henley Passport Index 2025).
  • The right to live, work, and study in any EU member state.
  • Equal access to healthcare and education in Portugal and across the EU, on the same terms as citizens by birth.

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Misconception 10: Portugal can revoke citizenship anytime

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Some investors worry that Portuguese citizenship obtained after the Golden Visa can be revoked arbitrarily.

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The Reality:

• As explained in the previous point, Portuguese citizenship grants the same rights and protections as citizenship by birth. It is not a temporary or “conditional” status.
• Citizenship can only be cancelled in very limited cases defined by the Nationality Law (Lei da Nacionalidade – Lei n.º 37/81):
  • Acquisition by fraud, false documents, or concealment of relevant facts.
  • Engagement in activities that constitute serious threats to national security (such as terrorism or treason).

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Once lawfully granted, Portuguese citizenship obtained after Golden Visa residence is as permanent and secure as citizenship by birth.

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Misconception 11: Portugal always allows dual citizenship

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Some investors assume dual nationality is always accepted without restrictions.

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The Reality:

• Portugal does allow dual citizenship. This is confirmed in the Nationality Law (Lei da Nacionalidade – Lei n.º 37/81), which does not require renunciation of prior nationality when acquiring Portuguese nationality.
• However, the ability to hold dual citizenship also depends on the laws of the applicant’s country of origin. In some cases, investors may be required to renounce their original nationality.

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Examples of restrictions in other countries:

• China – Dual nationality is not recognised. (Source: PRC Nationality Law, Art. 3)
• India – Dual citizenship is not allowed; only “Overseas Citizen of India (OCI)” status exists. (Source: Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India)
• Saudi Arabia – Dual citizenship may be granted only by royal decree. (Source: Saudi Arabian Nationality Law)
• Japan – Dual nationals must choose one nationality before age 22. (Source: Japanese Nationality Act, Art. 14)
• Austria – Dual nationality is generally prohibited unless granted by government exception. (Source: Austrian Nationality Act, § 27)

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Conclusion: Why Portugal and VIDA Are the Smart Choice in 2025

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The Portugal Golden Visa has become one of the most resilient and credible residency-by-investment program in Europe, offering:

• The fastest route to EU citizenship (5 years).
• The lowest stay requirements (just 7 days per year / 14 every 2 years).
• Future-proof investment options in culture, funds, and innovation.
• Full EU rights once naturalized, including free movement, healthcare, and education.

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Yet, success depends on avoiding common misconceptions: confusing residency with citizenship, underestimating documentation, or overlooking family inclusion.

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How VIDA Guides Your Golden Visa Journey

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At VIDA Capital, we provide a secure and tangible route to the Portugal Golden Visa by focusing on a single sector we know best: hospitality.

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• One investment vehicle: €500,000 in our CMVM-regulated fund, backed by Portuguese hotel assets.
• Boutique approach: carefully acquiring underperforming hotels and repositioning them into premium, high-performing destinations.
• Capital preservation: VIDA’s strategy focus on capital preservation.
• Robust governance: independent auditor, depository bank, and full CMVM supervision under a triple-control structure.

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Email us at rita@vida-cap.com or chat with us on WhatsApp +351 914 368 116 to start your Portugal Golden Visa journey with clarity, confidence, and peace of mind.