Urged by the need to attract foreign investment to Portugal, the Government has created, in August 2012, a new regime for the granting and renewal of the so-called ''golden visas'' to foreign citizens from non-EU countries willing to invest in Portugal.

Under the Golden Visa programme, non-EU citizens need to perform and maintain, at least, one of the investment activities foreseen in the legal regime in order to qualify for a residency permit in Portugal. This residency permit will allow the investor to enter and/or live in Portugal as well as to travel freely within the vast majority of European countries (Schengen Area).