Overview
Portugal’s Golden Visa remains one of Europe’s most sought-after residency routes, now anchored to regulated investment funds rather than direct real estate. A €500,000 subscription to a qualifying fund secures residency for the whole family, with one of the lightest stay requirements in the European Union: roughly seven days a year. After five years, holders may apply for permanent residence or citizenship.
Who it’s for
The route suits investors who want a European Union foothold with genuine optionality, a fund rather than a property to manage, and almost no obligation to be in the country. It is built for non-residents: families across the Americas, Asia, and the Middle East who want Portugal as an anchor without relocating to it.
What it includes
- Residency for the applicant, spouse, dependent children, and dependent parents, on a single subscription
- Visa-free travel across the 29-country Schengen Area
- A renewable residence permit, conditional on holding the fund subscription
- A path to permanent residence or citizenship after five years
- A minimal stay requirement of roughly seven days per year
- No tax liability arising from the residency itself
What it requires
- A €500,000 subscription to a CMVM-regulated qualifying fund
- A Portuguese tax number (NIF) and a local bank relationship, which we arrange
- Proof of a clean criminal record and a lawful source of funds
- No language, education, or income thresholds at the application stage
How Eterna supports your application
We run the file end to end, and we manage the fund your client subscribes to.
- Structure and onboarding. We arrange your NIF, power of attorney, and bank account, and complete fund onboarding and source-of-funds checks.
- Subscription. You subscribe to the Atlantic Zenith Fund, the vehicle we manage with our Portuguese partners, to be authorised and regulated by the CMVM.
- Application. We compile and notarise the file and submit your AIMA residency application.
- Review and biometrics. We accompany the AIMA review and your biometric appointment in Portugal.
- Residence and beyond. Your residence card is issued, renewable toward permanent residence or citizenship at year five.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Portugal Golden Visa lead to citizenship?
It can. After five years of lawful residence, holders may apply for permanent residence or for citizenship, subject to a basic Portuguese language requirement and the usual integrity checks. The Golden Visa secures the residence right; citizenship requires meeting the naturalisation criteria.
How many days a year do I need to be in Portugal?
Very few. The programme requires roughly seven days a year on average, which makes it one of the lightest residency obligations in the European Union.
Who manages the fund?
We do, alongside our regulated Portuguese partners. The Atlantic Zenith Fund is to be authorised and regulated by the CMVM, with an independent depositary. Because we run the vehicle rather than refer you to a third party, the same team is accountable for both your investment and your residency file.
Can I exit the fund early?
The fund is open-ended and built for the residency horizon. Redemption terms are set out in the fund documentation, and we walk you through them before you subscribe, including how an exit interacts with your residence permission.
Who can be included in the application?
The principal applicant, their spouse, dependent children, and dependent parents, all on a single subscription, all receiving equivalent residence rights.
What return can I expect?
The fund has a defined target return profile and distribution policy. Because this is a regulated investment, we share the figures and the full fund documentation directly with you and your adviser, rather than publishing projections.
