Key takeaways
Why investors choose Portugal
Fast track to EU citizenship
One of Europe's shortest paths — just 5 years of legal residency to qualify for naturalization and a Portuguese passport.
Minimal residency burden
Only 7 days per year required. Maintain your primary residence and career elsewhere while building toward EU rights.
Family-wide coverage
Single investment covers spouse, dependent children, and parents. Every family member receives identical residency rights.
Visa-free Schengen travel
Your residence card grants immediate access to 29 European countries. Citizenship unlocks full EU labor mobility.
Favourable tax treatment
Holding a Golden Visa does not trigger Portuguese tax residency if you spend less than 183 days per year in Portugal.
One of Europe's strongest passports
A Portuguese passport provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to the majority of the world's destinations and full freedom of movement across the European Union.
Inside the Mercan Hospitality Fund
Click any card for full project details, investment size, ownership, amenities, and location benefits.
Your €500K is diversified across 3 premium assets
A €140M fund managed by experienced hospitality operators
- InterContinental Hotels Group
Hotel Indigo Albufeira
Algarve, Portugal- Investment
- €21M
- Residence Inn by Marriott
Quinta da Praia
Alvor, Algarve, Portugal- Investment
- €55M
- Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
Corfu Acharavi Hotel
Corfu, Greece- Investment
- €45M
Eligibility requirements
Open to non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals aged 18 and over with a clean criminal record and qualifying investment.
- 1
Non-EU, EEA or Swiss citizen
Open exclusively to third-country nationals. EU, EEA and Swiss citizens already enjoy freedom of movement and do not qualify for the program.
- 2
Minimum age 18
All primary applicants must be adults. There is no maximum age. Children qualify only as dependents included under the primary applicant's investment.
- 3
Clean criminal record
Police clearance certificates required from your country of origin and any country of residence in the last 5 years. Portugal runs independent security vetting.
- 4
Qualifying investment
EUR 500,000 into a CMVM-regulated venture capital fund, OR EUR 500,000 into a business creating 5+ jobs, OR EUR 250,000 into cultural heritage donation, OR EUR 500,000 into research funds.
- 5
Minimum stay commitment
Demonstrate intent to visit Portugal: 7 days in Year 1, then 14 days per two-year period. Travel records (flights, hotels) serve as proof during renewal.
How the application works
Mercan manages every step, from fund subscription to final card delivery. Typical end-to-end timeline: 12-25 months.
- 1
Bank setup and tax identification
2–4 weeksOpen a Portuguese bank account (often remotely via a legal representative) and obtain your NIF tax number. Mercan's legal team handles both from the Montreal office.
- 2
Document compilation
4–6 weeksGather police clearance certificates, passport copies, proof of health insurance, and supporting application documents. Mercan provides a detailed checklist and assists with notarization and translations.
- 3
Fund subscription
1–2 weeksSubscribe to the Mercan Hospitality Fund, review subscription documents, and transfer EUR 500,000 to the fund's designated account. Receive your official subscription certificate as proof of investment.
- 4
AIMA submission and biometrics
12–24 monthsMercan files your Golden Visa application via AIMA's ARI portal. AIMA pre-approves in principle, schedules your biometric appointment in Portugal (a 3–5 day trip), then issues final approval and the residence card.
- 5
Citizenship application
6–12 monthsAfter 5 years of legal residency, apply for Portuguese citizenship. Requires A2 Portuguese language certificate, clean record, and good standing. Dual citizenship is permitted.
Portugal vs. other golden visa programs
| Feature | Portugal | Greece | Panama |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum investment | EUR 500K | EUR 250K | USD 300K |
| Path to citizenship | 5 years | 7 years | 5 years |
| Residency required | 7 days/year | None | 1 week / 2 years |
| EU residency | Yes | Yes | No |
| Family included | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Processing time | 12-25 months | 4-8 months | 30 days |
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers to the questions Mercan advisors hear most often about the Portugal Golden Visa.
How much do I need to invest?
EUR 500,000 for the fund investment route, EUR 500,000 for business creation (with 5 new jobs), EUR 500,000 for research donations, or EUR 250,000 for cultural heritage donations. The fund route is the most popular and the one Mercan offers directly.
Who can be included as family?
Your spouse or legal partner, unmarried dependent children (including adult children up to age 26 if they are full-time students), and dependent parents of both the main applicant and spouse. Same-sex spouses are recognized equally. Every family member receives identical residency rights and the same path to citizenship.
How long is the residency requirement?
You only need to spend 7 days in Portugal per year, averaged as 14 days over any two-year period. This is one of the lowest residency requirements of any golden visa program globally — you can maintain your primary home, career, and tax residency elsewhere.
How long does the application process take?
Typically 12 to 25 months from application submission to residency card delivery. This includes 6 to 12 months for pre-approval, biometrics scheduling, in-person biometric appointment in Portugal, and final AIMA approval. Mercan manages every step.
Can I get Portuguese citizenship?
Yes. After 5 years of legal residency you can apply for Portuguese citizenship, which requires passing an A2 level Portuguese language test and maintaining a clean criminal record. Portugal allows dual citizenship, so you do not need to renounce your existing nationality.
What are the benefits of EU residency through Portugal?
Visa-free travel across the 29 Schengen countries, the right to live and work anywhere in the EU after citizenship, access to Portuguese healthcare and education, and favourable tax treatment for non-residents. The Portuguese passport ranks among the top 5 globally.
Is my investment protected?
The Mercan Hospitality Fund is regulated by the CMVM — Portugal's securities market commission, equivalent to the SEC in the US. The fund invests in tangible hotel operating companies run by InterContinental Hotels Group, Marriott, and Wyndham. Mercan's fund uniquely offers a 100% capital guarantee at Year 6.
Government sources and regulators
- CMVM — Portuguese Securities Market CommissionThe regulator that oversees the Mercan Hospitality Fund and every other venture capital fund eligible for Portugal Golden Visa investment.
- AIMA — Portuguese Immigration and Borders AgencyThe authority that processes Portugal Golden Visa applications (the successor to SEF since 2023).
- Portugal Government PortalOfficial information on the 2023 'Mais Habitação' housing law that reshaped the Golden Visa program.
Investment risk disclaimerSpeculative investment. Read before subscribing.
Investing in the Mercan Hospitality Fund is speculative and suitable only for experienced investors who understand the associated risks. These can include loss of all or a substantial portion of the investment, lack of liquidity in that there may be no secondary market for fund interests, restrictions on transferring interests, and potential lack of diversification. Any decision to invest should be made only after reviewing the full fund documents and consulting your own legal, accounting, and tax advisors. Mercan does not provide investment advice. The Fund is not registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and is not offered to U.S. persons under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933. Forward-looking statements in this material may prove inaccurate due to changing market conditions.