News

Portuguese Golden Visa is one of the most popular in Europe

Portugal's Golden Visa program continues to attract record levels of demand in 2025, offering a straightforward path to permanent residency or citizenship in just five years. Since its launch in 2012, it has granted residency to over 12,000 international investors and their families, raising over €7.5 billion. The program provides a range of relatively affordable investment options, including company creation, donation, and fund investment, with a minimum investment ranging from €200,000 to €500,000. Processing times are approximately 8 to 12 months.

Where Are House Prices Rising Fastest in Portugal?

In the second quarter of 2025, house prices in Portugal surged, with the national median reaching €2,065 /m². Major municipalities such as Lisbon (€4,865/m²), Cascais (€4,346/m²), Oeiras (€4,161/m²), and Porto (€3,309/m²) recorded strong price levels. A large majority (19 out of 24) of municipalities with over 100,000 inhabitants saw accelerated growth, showing broad-based strength in the housing market.

Median house price rises 19%

The median price of residential properties sold in Portugal during Q2 2025 reached €2,065 per m², marking a 19% increase compared to the same period in 2024. The number of family-home transactions rose by 15.6% year-on-year.

New Record for Portuguese Tourism

Travel and tourism exports in August reached €4.3 billion, surpassing the previous record and contributing to a positive services balance.

Europe to propose rules for holiday rental properties

The European Commission plans to propose new EU-wide rules aimed at the short-term rental sector (such as those on platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com), recognising that the surge in holiday lets is contributing to a shortage of long-term rentals.

Portugal Considers Updates to Citizenship and Immigration Laws

Portugal's Parliament has approved a revised immigration law, aiming to manage rising immigration more rigidly while addressing key court concerns. The new law slightly relaxes certain provisions affecting family reunification: the required two-year residency period remains but can now be shortened for couples with a prior one-year relationship, and children or dependents with disabilities can join family members regardless of their legal residency status. The legislation reflects a broader European trend of tightening immigration rules in response to political pressures.