Portugal vs Italy Golden Visa

A comprehensive comparison of two leading European residency-by-investment programs to help you make an informed decision.

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Portugal

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Minimum investment starting at €500,000

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Citizenship possible after 5 years

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Minimal stay requirement: 7 days first year, 14 days subsequent 2-year periods

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Investment options include funds, business, and research

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A2 language requirement for citizenship

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Italy

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Minimum investment starting at €250,000 for startups

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Citizenship possible after 10 years

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Must register with local police within 8 days of arrival

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Investment options include government bonds, companies, and philanthropy

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B1 language requirement for citizenship

Investment Options Comparison

Investment Type Portugal Italy
Investment Funds €500,000 Not available
Company Investment €500,000 €500,000
Government Bonds Not available €2,000,000
Startup Investment Not available €250,000
Research/Cultural €500,000 €1,000,000

Processing Times & Renewal

Both programs offer efficient processing, but with different structures:

Feature Portugal Italy
Initial Processing Time 3-6 months 1-2 months
Initial Visa Validity 2 years 2 years
Renewal Period 2-year periods 3-year periods
Path to Permanent Residency 5 years 5 years

Key Considerations

When choosing between the Portuguese and Italian Golden Visa programs, consider these key factors:

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Timeline to Citizenship: Portugal offers a faster route to citizenship (5 years vs 10 years in Italy) with less stringent language requirements.

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Investment Options: Italy offers more diverse investment options with lower minimum thresholds, particularly for startup investments.

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Residency Requirements: Portugal has more clearly defined minimum stay requirements, while Italy requires registration but has more flexible stay requirements.

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Tax Implications: Both countries offer attractive tax regimes for new residents, with Portugal's NHR program and Italy's flat tax option for high-net-worth individuals.

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Dan R - Verified Review
“Movingto is seriously awesome! I was planning to expand my business to Portugal from the US and wasn't sure where to start, especially with my wife and kids tagging along. Movingto - they were incredible, providing me with all the info about the D2 visa..."
Judy Irene - Verified Review
“Such a pleasure to work with! Made the tasks that seemed daunting into just getting it done! Highly recommend!"
Oscar Eel - Verified Review
“Movingto helped me getting a digital nomad visa for Portugal. My job is in UK and I can work remotely from anywhere. They also introduced me to the benefits of the NHR and I’ve been saving a lot of money while traveling. I couldn’t recommend them more"
Bari Fahri - Verified Review
“Ariane was Very professional.A very good experience and highly recommended for everyone who need help with immigration procedures"
Chris Coyier - Verified Review
“I used this service to get a NIF number for my father. They managed to get it in less than 7 days, gave me a log in to manage the number as well.I haven't got around to using it for their other services yet, but it worked well for me."
Georgie Brown - Verified Review
“Extremely help full and efficient, thank you so much!"
Ikraam - Verified Review
“Movingto demonstrated exceptional dedication in assisting my family and me with our relocation to Portugal. I wholeheartedly recommend their services for anyone looking to make a smooth and successful transition to Portugal."
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