The Cultural Golden Visa in Portugal is a residency permit program that grants non-European citizens a residency permit in exchange for a significant investment in Portuguese cultural heritage or cultural projects. The permit is valid for a period of 2 years and can be renewed for additional 3year period, as long as the investment is maintained. In the end of the 5 years the applicant can apply for permanente residence card and citizenship, as long as they can speak Portuguese in the A2 level (second lowest out of 7 levels).
The Portuguese Cultural Golden Visa program allows for several types of cultural investments to be made, including:
· Purchasing a cultural heritage property that has been classified as being of public interest: This includes buildings or structures with architectural, historical, or cultural significance.
· Restoring a cultural heritage property: This involves the rehabilitation of cultural heritage properties that are in a state of disrepair.
· Supporting cultural projects: This involves funding cultural initiatives or projects that have been approved by the Portuguese government.
In all cases, the cultural investment must have a minimum value, with different requirements for high-density and low-density areas, and must have the approval of the Portuguese government before the residency permit can be granted. The program is designed to incentivize investment in Portuguese cultural heritage, promoting its preservation and restoration for future generations.
The difference between high-density and low-density areas in the context of the Portuguese Cultural Golden Visa refers to the location of the cultural project where to invest. High-density areas are those with higher populations, such as cities and urban centers, while low-density areas are rural or suburban areas with lower populations – you can check the list here.
In Portugal, investments in cultural heritage projects located in high-density areas must have a minimum value of 350,000 EUR, while investments in low-density areas must have a minimum value of 280,000 EUR. The validity of the documents required to apply for the Portuguese Cultural Golden Visa is typically 5 years, and the visa holder must spend at least 7 days in Portugal in the first year and 14 days in subsequent years to maintain the visa’s validity.
