Do you want to gain residency in Portugal while also making a real difference in people’s lives? Then Portugal’s new solidarity golden visa might be exactly what you’re looking for.
Unlike traditional investment visas that focus on real estate or capital investments, this innovative path lets you secure Portuguese residency by investing in projects that directly help vulnerable immigrants, such as building support systems and infrastructure.
Digital Émigré has helped dozens of clients navigate Portugal’s various visa options, and we’re excited to share this fresh take on the golden visa program.
You can get residency with a €250,000 investment in social projects – lower than most traditional golden visa requirements.
The solidarity Golden Visa is part of Portugal’s broader Migration Action Plan, which the Council of Ministers approved in June.
The government has put social impact front and center, creating a way for private investors to contribute meaningfully to immigrant integration projects.
Don’t forget, the solidarity golden visa does not offer any return on your investment. If you’re looking for a Portugal investor residency pathway at a similar threshold but with a chance of returns, here are some ideas to explore:
- Cultural Production Golden Visa (€250,000)
- Highly Qualified Activity (HQA) Visa (€175,000)
- Startup Co-Investor Visa (€150,000)
What makes the solidarity golden visa different?
I’ve watched Portugal’s visa programs change over the years, and this one stands out for its fresh approach to residency by investment.
The biggest difference? Your investment goes directly to social good. While traditional golden visas put your money into property or business ventures, this program channels your €250,000 into impactful social projects.
Here’s what makes this visa different:
🔹 Social impact focus: Your investment helps build and support infrastructure for vulnerable immigrants. Think reception centers, housing projects, and integration programs – not luxury apartments or commercial properties. You won’t see financial returns, but you’ll create lasting positive change in Portuguese communities.
🔹 More affordable entry point: With a lower investment threshold than other golden visa options, this program opens doors for more investors who want to combine their immigration goals with social responsibility. The Portuguese government designed it this way to attract people who share their vision for a more inclusive society.
🔹 Simpler structure: Unlike other investment visas that require complex financial tracking or property management, this program keeps things straightforward. Your investment goes directly into approved social projects, making it easier to understand exactly how your money helps.
How much do you need to invest?
Portugal’s new solidarity golden visa program makes an exciting addition to the country’s residency options. But many details are still being finalized by the government. Here’s what we know from official sources:
🔹 Expected investment: €250,000: According to reports from idealista, the program is expected to require an investment of €250,000 in social projects. The government hasn’t yet officially confirmed this amount. They’ve indicated they want the investment threshold to be lower than other visa categories to make it more accessible to investors.
What will the investment support?
Based on the executive’s statements, your investment would go toward:
- Reception equipment and infrastructure
- Integration projects
- Support systems for immigrants in vulnerable situations
- Housing accessibility initiatives
One key difference from traditional investor visas: this program focuses purely on social impact, with no financial returns beyond residency rights.
The Portuguese government’s goal, as stated by Luís Montenegro’s executive, is to “Create an instrument for channeling private capital for social investment in immigrant integration projects.”
Note: While the program has been announced as part of Portugal’s Migration Action Plan approved by the Council of Ministers, there isn’t yet a specific date for when applications will open. The government is still finalizing the program details.
Benefits of the solidarity golden visa
Based on the information provided by Portugal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and official reports, this new visa program comes with several key advantages. Here’s what you can expect:
🔸 Freedom to move: One of the biggest perks is visa-free travel throughout the Schengen Area. You’ll be able to move freely through most European Union countries once you have your residency permit.
🔸 Live and work rights: The program offers you the ability to:
- Make Portugal your home
- Take up employment opportunities
- Study at Portuguese institutions
- Access the country’s healthcare and education systems
🔸 Path to citizenship: After maintaining your residency for 5 years, you can apply for:
- Portuguese citizenship, or
- Permanent residency (with Portuguese citizenship, you’ll gain access to a passport that opens doors to 186 countries without needing a visa)
🔸 European base: While primarily a Portuguese residence permit, your solidarity golden visa also gives you a foothold in the European Union. This makes it easier to do business and maintain connections across the continent.
Note: While these benefits are similar to those of the traditional golden visa program, we’re waiting for final confirmation on some specifics. For example, family reunification details – which allowed spouses, dependent children under 26, and parents over 65 to be included in traditional golden visas – haven’t yet been confirmed for the solidarity version.
Who should consider this visa?
The solidarity golden visa targets a very specific type of investor: high-net-worth individuals who are comfortable making what amounts to a €250,000 charitable donation in exchange for Portuguese residency rights.
This program requires participants to prioritize social impact over financial gains (unlike traditional investment visas that offered potential returns through real estate or business ventures).
The ideal candidate would be someone who has significant liquid capital and doesn’t need to generate returns from their immigration investment.
This might include wealthy philanthropists who were already planning to make substantial charitable contributions, or individuals who place such high value on Portuguese residency that they’re willing to forego any financial return on their investment.
It’s also worth being clear about who this visa isn’t suitable for. If you’re looking to build wealth through your immigration investment, or if you need your capital to continue working for you, this probably isn’t the right path.
Similarly, if you’re stretching your finances to meet the investment threshold, you should explore other residency options that don’t require such a substantial non-recoverable payment.
Current status
We’re currently in a transition period as the government puts the final pieces in place. Right now, we know the broad strokes of the program, including its focus on supporting vulnerable immigrants and the expected investment level of €250,000.
But the government hasn’t yet announced the official launch date or released complete program guidelines. They’re taking time to carefully structure the initiative to make sure it effectively channels private capital into social projects that make a real difference.
If you’re interested in this visa option, now is the time to start preparing and gathering information. Keep an eye on official government communications for announcements about the program’s launch and specific application requirements.
Next steps
The solidarity golden visa reflects Portugal’s attempt to balance foreign investment with social impact.
But the program faces clear challenges. Unlike traditional investment visas that offered both residency rights and potential financial returns, this new option essentially asks for a €250,000 donation in exchange for residency rights.
For investors primarily seeking returns along with residency, this program may prove less attractive than other options in other countries (or even in Portugal itself).
The lack of any financial return mechanism means the visa will likely appeal to a smaller pool of applicants – specifically those who prioritize social impact over investment returns and have the means to make substantial charitable contributions.
The program’s success will largely depend on whether enough investors value Portuguese residency and social impact sufficiently to offset the lack of financial returns.
For those considering this option, it’s worth carefully weighing the costs against other residency pathways, both in Portugal and elsewhere in Europe. If you’re looking for an investor residency pathway at a similar threshold but with a greater chance of returns, here are some ideas:
- Cultural Production Golden Visa (€250,000)
- Highly Qualified Activity (HQA) Visa (€175,000)
- Startup Co-Investor Visa (€150,000)
