Portuguese Golden Visa Through Rs 2.5 Cr Donation
Indians seeking a European residency pathway under Portugal’s Golden Visa programme no longer need to rely on real estate investments. Applicants can now qualify by making a non-refundable donation of at least ₹2.5 crore (€250,000) towards cultural or heritage preservation projects.
Introduced in 2012, Portugal’s Golden Visa—officially called the Residence Permit for Investment Activity (ARI)—has been a popular route for global investors. While earlier dominated by property purchases, the programme has diversified into new channels such as capital transfers, job creation, and cultural contributions.
Key Highlights
- Donation option: A contribution of €250,000 (~₹2.6 crore) is required, which can be reduced to €200,000 (~₹2.08 crore) in low-density areas.
- No returns: Unlike property investments, the cultural donation is non-refundable.
- Residency benefits: Successful applicants gain Portuguese residency rights, visa-free travel across the Schengen zone, and access to healthcare, education, and work within the EU.
- Path to citizenship: Golden Visa holders can apply for Portuguese—and by extension EU—citizenship after five years of residency.
- Global demand: The programme has raised more than €7 billion since inception, with nearly 5,000 permits issued in 2024, the highest since 2017.
Why It Matters
Portugal’s donation-based visa option is now one of the most affordable routes for high-net-worth Indians to secure European residency and eventual citizenship. However, immigration experts caution that tighter regulations, extended processing times, and due diligence checks mean applicants should be prepared for scrutiny of both funds and eligibility.