Portugal Cultural and Artistic Golden Visa

Portugal offers two golden visa routes, which can be most affordable package for investors, if they know where to invest. Quite often many get confused with the two options. The most important difference between the two routes is Cultural route is ‘donation’ non-refundable investment, whereas Artistic production is a ‘refundable’ investment that can also produce returns. The Portuguese government requires a minimum 200,000 euros (20% discount from 250,000) for both cultural and artistic routes, to be eligible under ARI golden visa conditions. It is the only route where reduced investment possible in low density regions. Previous real estate route was eligible for discount, but since Oct 7, 2023, the property route has been terminated for golden visas. Note that Artistic production may be interesting for GV investors, since invested capital a recoverable investment.

Legal Background

Article 3. of Foreigners Law (Law No. 23/2007, of July 4th) permits that carry out tasks in the area of artistic production, recovery or maintenance of the national cultural heritage to receive a residence permit for Investment activity (ARI).

The Order No. 2360/2017, of March 20, approves the regulation regarding the issuance of the declaration attesting the effective transfer of capital for the purposes of residence permit for investment in the cultural sector, and establishes the rules applicable to the issuance of that declaration.

1.Cultural Heritage

This route is involves non-refundable, donation to cultural heritage projects in Portugal. For example to Museum, archeology, monuments, refurbishment of national heritage sites and monuments. The minimum investment required is €250,000 euro (in major cities) and €200,000 (in low density regions NUTS III). The investment is reduced 20% in Low density regions, eligible for Golden Visa. The GEPAC (Gabinete de Estratégia, Planeamento e Avaliação Culturais) is the competent authority to provide certificate for this kind of investment in cultural sector. and the government will file GV application with the immigration authority on your behalf by a legal representative.

2.Artistic Production

Foreigners can make an investment in artistic projects in Portugal. For example, art, music, dance, paintings, cinema, theatre, film production. Under this route, minimum €250,000 euro required (refundable investment) or €200,000 in Low density regions. (reduced 20%) are eligible for Golden visa. The Direção Geral das Artes (DGArtes) is an organization of the Ministry of Culture of Portugal is responsible for approving investment applications for artistic projects. Filing the application for Golden visa must be done by legal representative.

Here is a quick comparison of both cultural and artistic production routes:

Golden Visa	Cultural Heritage	Artistic Production
Investment	Non-refundable (Donation)	Refundable (Investment)
Minimum	250,000	250,000
Low density Areas (Nuts III)	200,000	200,000
Term	5 years	5 years
Ministry Approval	yes	yes
ROI	no	yes
Application Submission	Government	Legal representative
Minimum Stay	7 days per year	7 days per year
Citizenship	After 5 years	After 5 years

The residence permit is granted for two years and subsequent renewed permits will be issued for three years provided the investor visits Portugal for seven days annually.

Processing Times

The Processing time for this type of golden visas can take unto six monthly normally. With more applications pending under real estate, one can expect time frame of one year.

Both investment routes, it is possible to pursue activities of artistic output, and restoring or maintenance of the national cultural heritage through the following organisations in Portugal.