Portugal Golden Visa Program: USA in the First Rank, Türkiye in the Top 6

The 2024 Immigration and Asylum Report published by the Portuguese Immigration and Asylum Agency (AIMA) revealed remarkable data regarding the permits issued under the Golden Visa, known as the residence by investment program.

According to the report, a total of 2,081 residence permits were granted by investment in 2024. Within the scope of these permits, residence permits were also given to2,909 people for family reunification.

When looking at the nationalities of investors who received Golden Visa, the United States ranked first.

The Main Investors Who Received Golden Visa Nationalities

According to 2024 data, the countries that received the most Golden Visas are:

1. USA - 406 applications
2. China - 296 applications
3. Russia - 248 applications
4. United Kingdom - 147 applications
5. India - 140 applications
6. Turkey - 128 applications
7. South Africa - 100 application
8. Brazil – 98 applications

This table shows thatGolden Visa investor profile has an increasingly global distribution.

Çiğdem Sarıoğlu Ergut: “Golden Visa is an important tool for investors in terms of global mobility and access”

Harvey Law Group Turkey DirectorÇiğdem Sarıoğlu Ergut, on the subject He made the following statements in his evaluation:

"Portugal Golden Visa program is not only a residence permit for investors; it is also a strategic tool in terms of global mobility, access to Europe and international mobility. In recent years, the increasing difficulty of visa processes and the increase in global uncertainties have significantly increased the interest of investors in alternative residence and citizenship programs. While the intense demand from the USA and Asia clearly demonstrates the global appeal of the program, the fact that investors from Turkey are at the top gives Turkish citizens more importance to international investment and mobility strategies." "

The foreign population is increasing rapidly in Portugal

According to the report, the number of foreigners living in Portugal reached 1,543,697 at the end of 2024. This number has almost quadrupled the level of approximately 421 thousand people recorded in 2017.  

According to AIMA data:

• 218,332 residence permits were granted in 2024
• AIMA's processing capacityIncreased by 7 times
• More than 600 thousand foreigners were interviewed
• More than 480 thousand criminal records were examined
• More than 230 thousand sessions card was issued

Demographics of the foreign population in Portugal

Demographic analysis in the report shows that the migration profile in Portugal consists mainly of people of working age.

Highlight data:

• 85.5% of the foreign population is of working age
• Oldest age group 18–34 years of age
• 0–17 age group 8.2%
• Over 65 years of age 6.3%

This table reveals that migration has an economic and labor-oriented character.

While 2024 data reveal global interest in the Golden Visa program, new data on the current performance of the program will be available in the next six months. is expected to be published. The new report to be announced will reveal more clearly what changes have occurred in the investor profile and country rankings.