In general, Portugal has been a paradise for those holding a Golden Visa. So, many of the richest from China and Brazil and from around the globe have been showing more and more interest in this. Talking about the statistics, the Golden Visa holders have been more and more since the program started. So far, since the start of the scheme, Chinese investors have remained on top with a total number of 4,943. This is followed by Brazilians with 1,024. Whereas Turkey, Russia, and South African investors have also been among the top 5 lists. Here we will discuss in detail, Portugal’s “Golden Visa” statistics.
What is Portugal’s Golden Visa program?
No doubt, Portugal’s Golden Visa is one of the best investment programs for non-EU people. The purpose of the investing program was to issue a Portugal Golden Visa by making a good investment in Portugal. This program is valid in many non-EU countries. Its main offices in Portugal are in Lisbon and Portal. In other words, Portugal’s Golden Residence Permit Program (ARI) enables non-EU/EEA citizens to obtain a special residence permit in exchange for a 5-year investment in Portugal.
Surprisingly, Portugal has made a big move to extend its “Golden Visa Scheme” till January 2022. As a result, this makes investors happier and the country will also be able to enjoy more capital from abroad. Established back in 2012, Portugal’s Golden Residence Permit Program (ARI) enables non-EU/EEA citizens to obtain a special residence permit in exchange for a 5-year investment in Portugal.
If you obtain a Golden Visa, you become eligible for citizenship after five years. Unlike other countries, you do not actually have to live in Portugal during this period to obtain citizenship with a Golden Visa. You only need to spend seven to fourteen days in the country. However, you must prove that you reside in Portugal, with a permanent income, as well as knowledge of the Portuguese language at least at the basic level. More benefits are:
- Residence visa waiver for entering Portugal;
- Living and working in Portugal, on condition that they stay in Portugal for a period of 7 or more days, in the first year, and 14 or more days, in the subsequent years;
- Visa exemption for traveling within the Schengen Area;
- Family reunification
- Applying for permanent residence (pursuant to the Aliens Act – Act number 23/2007 of 4 July with the current wording );
- Applying for Portuguese citizenship, by naturalization, provided all other requirements set out by the Nationality Act are fulfilled (Act number 37/81 of 3 October, as amended);
Top 5 countries who got the most Golden Visas
Here are the top states whose citizens get the Portugal Golden Visa maximum:
| Country | No of candidates |
| China | 4,943 |
| Brazil | 1,024 |
| Turkey | 467 |
| South Africa | 407 |
| Russia | 383 |
Country-wise Portugal Golden Visa Statistics from 2012 to 2021
Following is the data from the duration the investing program for Portugal’s Golden Visa was launched (2012) till now (2021):
1- China
China is on the top in terms of candidates who were issued the most Portugal Golden Visas from 2012-2021. The country has had the most of the visas in 2014 whereas with the passage of time the number decreased in 2021. Following is the percentage of the total golden visas issued:
| Year | % of Portugal Golden Visa issued |
| 2012-2013 | 87% |
| 2014 | 89% |
| 2015 | 84% |
| 2016 | 75% |
| 2017 | 55% |
| 2018 | 50% |
| 2019 | 49% |
| 2020 | 46% |
| 2021 | 36% |
2- Brazil
Brazil is on the second number in terms of issuance of Portugal Golden Visa from 2012-2012. The citizens of this country got the second most ratio of 26% in 2019. Whereas it was at the lowest at 3.1% in 2012-2013.
| Year | % of Portugal Golden Visa issued |
| 2012-2013 | 3.1% |
| 2014 | 3.7% |
| 2015 | 6% |
| 2016 | 12% |
| 2017 | 23% |
| 2018 | 19% |
| 2019 | 26% |
| 2020 | 20% |
| 2021 | 7% |
3- Turkey
Turkey came to third place from this perspective. The percentage of Turkey applicants who were issued a Portugal Golden Visa rose from 2017 till now 2021:
| Year | % of Portugal Golden Visa issued |
| 2012-2013 | 0% |
| 2014 | 0% |
| 2015 | 0% |
| 2016 | 0% |
| 2017 | 8% |
| 2018 | 19% |
| 2019 | 11% |
| 2020 | 11% |
| 2021 | 8% |
4- South Africa
This country came in on average position over the course of time. The percentage of it with the passage of time is given below:
| Year | % of Portugal Golden Visa issued |
| 2012-2013 | 2.4% |
| 2014 | 2.9% |
| 2015 | 3.4% |
| 2016 | 5% |
| 2017 | 8% |
| 2018 | 6% |
| 2019 | 0% |
| 2020 | 12% |
| 2021 | 12% |
5- Russia
Russia also maintained an average position during this decade. For the years 2018 and 2020, there were no candidates who were issued with a Portugal Golden Visa but the percentage goes up again to the maximum for 2021:
| Year | % of Portugal Golden Visa issued |
| 2012-2013 | 4.9 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 4.9 |
| 2016 | 4.5 |
| 2017 | 4.8 |
| 2018 | 0 |
| 2019 | 7 |
| 2020 | 0 |
| 2021 | 27 |
The data of the candidates for Portugal Golden Visa according to the investment type
The below data shows how many candidates apply for each investment type:
| Investment type | Number of candidates who apply |
| Real Estate (€500k) | 8,356 |
| Real Estate (€350k renovate properties) | 874 |
| Capital Transfer (€1M) | 489 |
| Venture Capital Investment Funds (€350k) | 88 |
| Creation of job position | 20 |
Overview
Though the data shows a large number of investors in the Real Estate investment type, the trending type is venture investment. In simple words, the data is showing its percentage low because it gets the trending stats after 2019. First, this was not much used because the amount was high €500k before 2019. Then it minimized to €350k and it became a trending type then but the amount will be increased from 1st January 2022 to its original price of €500k.
The statistics for the family members of the investors 2012-2021
The data of the investors who invite their family members on their behalf after their arrival in Portugal via Portugal Golden Visa from 2012-2021 is given below:
| Year | Investors | Family members |
| 2012 | 2 | 0 |
| 2013 | 494 | 576 |
| 2014 | 1,526 | 2,395 |
| 2015 | 766 | 1,322 |
| 2016 | 1,414 | 2,344 |
| 2017 | 1,351 | 2,678 |
| 2018 | 1,409 | 2,500 |
| 2019 | 1,245 | 2,192 |
| 2020 | 1,182 | 2,043 |
| 2021 | 445 | 648 |
Information about the following topics:
- Eligibility Criteria for Golden Visa
- Advantages of the Golden Visa
- Family Visa
- Portugal Golden visa investment options
- How to apply for a Portugal Golden Visa?
- Online application portals by SEF
- How does ARI Portal work for Golden Visa?
- Arrange your documents before you apply
- Detailed information for all categories of Golden Visa