In a good news for Indians, the Government of Portugal has recently revised the rules of its Golden Visa programme, making it easier to apply and offering several new benefits. The move has drawn attention in India, where lakhs of people apply for Schengen visas every year for work, study and travel. Portugal could become a more attractive gateway to Europe for Indian citizens.
The Golden Visa is a residency-by-investment scheme that allows non-EU, non-EEA and non-Swiss citizens to live and work in Portugal, while also travelling visa-free across all Schengen countries.
Applicants must be at least 18 years old, have no criminal record, and spend a minimum of 7–14 days a year in Portugal to maintain residency.
However, the programme requires a substantial financial commitment. The minimum investment begins at €250,000 (around Rs 2.5 crore) for donations, while the most common option is a €500,000 (over Rs 5 crore) investment in a private Portuguese fund. Applicants can also choose to invest in businesses, create jobs, contribute to research, or donate towards heritage preservation.
The Golden Visa offers a number of long-term benefits. Holders become eligible for Portuguese citizenship after just five years, one of the fastest pathways in Europe.
Even before citizenship, residents enjoy the right to live, work and study in Portugal, along with access to healthcare, education and other public services.
Another major advantage is that the visa can be extended to immediate family members, including a spouse, children, dependent minors, and parents over 65 years of age.
ALSO READ: Caught Drunk Driving in U.S.? You May End Up Losing Your Student Visa! What We Know So Far
Shivam Verma is a journalist with over three years of experience in digital newsrooms. He currently works at NewsX, having previously worked for Firstpost and DNA India. A postgraduate diploma holder in Integrated Journalism from the Asian College of Journalism, Chennai, Shivam focuses on international affairs, diplomacy, defence, and politics. Beyond the newsroom, he is passionate about football—both playing and watching—and enjoys travelling to explore new places and cuisines.
