Portugal Voted Top Golden Visa Destination by UK and US Investors

Portugal is the favourite Golden Visa destination for wealthy British and American investors, according to La Vida’s 2026 UK and US Investment Migration Surveys, with 73.8% of UK respondents and 63.6% of US respondents choosing it.

We surveyed investors on both sides of the Atlantic in October 2026, all of whom had previously enquired with La Vida about residency or citizenship by investment. UK respondents had an average net worth of around £9 million and US respondents around $8 million.

Portugal Leads on Both Sides of the Atlantic

Portugal was named as one of their two preferred destinations by 73.8% of UK respondents, up from 50.6% in our 2025 survey. Among American investors, 63.6% named Portugal among their top choices, placing it well clear of every other program.

“Portugal is a top destination for many. La Vida’s clients alone have gone on to invest several hundred million euros into the Portuguese economy in the last decade through its Golden Visa program,” said Paul Williams, CEO of La Vida.

British and American investors start from different places. Tax concerns lead in the UK, while politics, healthcare and cost of living lead in the US. Portugal’s appeal is that it answers both, offering EU residency, travel across the Schengen Area, a lower cost of living than many UK and US cities and a quality of life our clients consistently rate highly, all without requiring the investor to relocate.

Golden Visa Demand Continues to Grow

Official figures show the same demand. Portugal’s Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) issued 2,685 Golden Visa residence permits to main applicants in 2025, up 29% from 2,081 in 2024, according to its Migration and Asylum Report 2025. A further 3,967 permits went to family members, taking the total to 6,652, an increase of 33.3% on the previous year. US citizens received more permits than any other nationality.

Demand has continued into 2026. In October, Portugal’s Minister of the Presidency, António Leitão Amaro, told parliament that around 46,000 Golden Visa applications were in progress and that AIMA had scheduled roughly 30,000 biometric appointments for applicants. AIMA also completed more than 60% more in-person appointments in the first half of 2026 than in the same period of 2025.

These figures come three years after Portugal refocused the program on fund and business investment, and they show how much investors continue to value what the Golden Visa offers.

Our Experience With the Program Since 2012

La Vida has worked with the Portugal Golden Visa since the program launched in 2012. Over that time, we have guided clients through every update to the rules, and we know first-hand how popular it continues to be.

The program has evolved over the years, and processing times have lengthened as application numbers have grown. That is a direct result of the demand for Portuguese residency, and the Portuguese government has committed to clearing pending Golden Visa files during 2026.

For our clients, the experience of an adviser who has handled Portugal applications from the beginning makes a real difference. We prepare every application to the standard AIMA expects, so families can move through each stage with confidence.

Why Investors Choose Portugal

The Portugal Golden Visa gives investors and their families the right to live in Portugal and travel across the Schengen Area, with a minimum stay of an average of seven days a year.

That makes it an ideal Plan B, which was the most common goal in both surveys, named by 60.9% of UK respondents and 84.3% of US respondents. Most of the clients we speak to aren’t planning to leave tomorrow. They want EU residency secured for their family so they have options if circumstances change.

The main route is a €500,000 investment in a qualifying Portuguese investment fund. Many of our clients prefer this to owning property abroad, as the investment is professionally managed and requires no upkeep from overseas.

Citizenship Is the Long-Term Goal

For many investors, residency is the first step and Portuguese citizenship is the long-term goal. Golden Visa holders can apply for permanent residence after five years, and it is possible to apply for Portuguese citizenship after 10 years.

Portuguese citizenship brings the full rights of EU citizenship. Holders can live, work and study in any EU member state, and pass those rights on to future generations.

“I have already gotten my Portuguese citizenship in place and am moving to France next month,” said one US respondent.

A Route Back to Europe for British Investors

Brexit was a major factor for 63% of UK respondents, as we covered in our recent Brexit survey analysis. The Portugal Golden Visa gives British investors back the right to live in an EU country, and EU residence permit holders are exempt from registering under the EU’s new Entry/Exit System.

“I don’t regret voting for Brexit but it has rather scuppered an easy move to Portugal,” said one UK respondent.

How the Portugal Golden Visa Works in 2026

• A €500,000 investment in a qualifying Portuguese investment fund
• An average minimum stay of seven days a year
• Spouses, dependent children and dependent parents can be included in the application
• Visa-free travel across the Schengen Area
• Permanent residence available after five years
• It is possible to apply for Portuguese citizenship after 10 years

Why Portugal Continues to Lead

Portugal has topped our UK survey two years running. It also leads our US survey by a wide margin, and issued more Golden Visa permits in 2025 than in 2024.

Programs change over time, and investors who secure their options while they are open are best placed when circumstances shift. With experience of the Portugal Golden Visa since its launch, our expert advisers can guide your family through every step. Get in touch with La Vida to start the conversation.

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