Reclaim your EU freedom of movement with Portugal's residency-by-investment programme
Live, work, and travel freely across 27 EU countries. Regain the rights you lost with Brexit.
No more 90/180 day limits. Stay as long as you want in Spain, France, Italy, and all Schengen states.
While Portugal banned residential property for Golden Visa, fund investments from €250K still qualify.
Unlike most EU programmes, Portugal offers citizenship after just 5 years with minimal residency.
Lisbon's tech scene is thriving. Work remotely for UK clients while enjoying Portuguese lifestyle.
300+ days of sunshine, excellent healthcare, safe cities, and a large English-speaking expat community.
Non-Habitual Resident status can reduce tax on foreign income. Pension income taxed at just 10%.
Assess eligibility, review investment options, and plan your pathway to EU residency.
Choose from AICEP-approved venture capital or private equity funds meeting the €250K minimum.
Complete fund subscription and submit Golden Visa application with supporting documents.
Portuguese immigration authority reviews your application. Biometrics appointment scheduled.
Receive your 2-year residence permit. Renewable every 2 years with just 7-day annual stay.
Apply for Portuguese citizenship. Basic Portuguese language test required (A2 level).
Minimum investment in qualifying Portuguese venture capital funds. Most popular choice for UK applicants.
Investment in qualifying private equity or balanced funds with Portuguese investment allocation.
Direct capital transfer to Portuguese bank account. Simple but higher threshold.
| Factor | 🇺🇸 US Passport | 🇲🇹 Malta Passport |
|---|---|---|
| EU Freedom of Movement | ❌ Lost with Brexit | ✅ Full EU rights |
| Schengen Stay | 90 days per 180 | Unlimited |
| Top Income Tax Rate | 45% | Up to 48% (but NHR available) |
| Pension Tax (UK source) | Taxed as income | 10% flat rate under NHR |
| Capital Gains Tax | Up to 20% | 0% on foreign gains under NHR |
| Inheritance Tax | 40% above threshold | 0% to direct family |
| Weather (avg sunny days) | ~120 days/year | ~300 days/year |
| Cost of Living (Lisbon vs London) | Baseline | ~40% lower |
| Healthcare Quality | Excellent (NHS) | Excellent (SNS + private) |
Don't liquidate your UK investments. Borrow against them instead.
As a UK tax resident, you pay income tax up to 45%, capital gains up to 20%, and inheritance tax at 40% above the nil-rate band.
Portugal's NHR regime offers significant benefits: foreign-source income can be tax-free or reduced, UK pensions taxed at just 10%, and no wealth tax.
Yes. The Portugal Golden Visa is available to all non-EU citizens, which now includes UK citizens post-Brexit. The programme offers a pathway back to EU residency and eventual citizenship.
No. The Golden Visa requires just 7 days per year in Portugal (or 14 days over 2 years). You can maintain UK residency while building your pathway to Portuguese citizenship.
Once you have Portuguese residency, you gain the right to travel freely in Schengen. For working rights in other EU countries, you may need to register locally, but the process is straightforward for EU residents.
Under NHR status, UK private pensions are taxed at just 10% flat rate in Portugal. UK state pension is also eligible. This is significantly lower than UK income tax rates.
You can keep UK property while becoming Portuguese resident. Rental income may be taxable in both countries but double tax treaty relief applies. Capital gains on UK property sale may benefit from NHR treatment.
Yes. Your spouse, dependent children, and dependent parents can be included in the Golden Visa application at no additional investment cost, just administrative fees.
The fund investment is not a donation—it's a real investment. After the required holding period (typically 5-8 years), you can exit the fund subject to its terms. Returns depend on fund performance.
Yes. Many UK investors use portfolio-backed lending to fund their Golden Visa without selling assets. A £500K portfolio at 50% LTV provides £250K while your investments continue growing.
Our team specializes in helping United Kingdom citizens obtain Portugal citizenship. Schedule a confidential consultation to discuss your specific situation.