How we obtained Portugal's Golden Visa throughinvestment in scientific research

Case at a glance

Situation, solution and outcome in seven lines

Client

Investor seeking a non-real estate route

Objective

Portugal's Golden Visa (pathway to EU passport)

Program

Portugal, Golden Visa (residence permit via investment, pathway to EU passport)

Context

Real estate purchase as the basis for Golden Visa has been eliminated by reform

Solution

Investment in research and development activities

Logic

Capital is directed to science rather than housing, and provides the same residence permit rights

Outcome

Golden Visa obtained through the scientific research route

Client story

Client's story

I was convinced that Portugal's Golden Visa was about purchasing an apartment. BRIDGES explained that after the reform, real estate as a basis was removed, but the program remained, and other routes exist. The investment in scientific research suited me: money goes into science rather than housing, yet the residence permit rights are the same. They selected an appropriate investment according to program requirements, verified the source of funds, and obtained the Golden Visa. For me, this is even better: capital works in a meaningful sector rather than being frozen in square meters. And most importantly - I still maintain my pathway to an EU passport.

What was at risk

What was at risk

There was no disaster - there was a risk of acting according to an outdated scheme. Believing that real estate was necessary, the client could have pursued a closed option and concluded that the program was inaccessible. The danger also lay in selecting the wrong investment vehicle: investing in the wrong structure and failing to obtain the status. The key was to transition to the active route - investment in scientific research - and to formalize it correctly.

The logic of the solution

How the matter progressed: from checks to result

The chart is built from the facts of this matter and shows the logic of the work without decorative or unverified data.

How we solved the problem

How we solved the problem

The work was split into verifiable stages so that every conclusion rested on documents.

1. 01

   Stage 1

   Eliminated outdated assumptions. We first explained to the client that real estate purchase as a qualifying basis for Portugal's Golden Visa has been abolished, but the program remains viable through alternative routes—this immediately reframed the task as solvable.

2. 02

   Stage 2

   Selected the research route. Among available qualifying bases, we proposed investment in research and development activities—an option where capital goes to science rather than real estate.

3. 03

   Stage 3

   Matched investment to requirements. We identified a specific research sector investment that meets program requirements, ensuring it qualifies as a basis for obtaining a residence permit.

4. 04

   Stage 4

   Substantiated source of funds. We prepared documentary evidence of the lawful source of capital—a mandatory program requirement.

5. 05

   Stage 5

   Executed the investment and obtained the residence permit. We implemented the investment through the selected route and obtained Portugal's Golden Visa on this basis.

6. 06

   Stage 6

   Preserved the pathway to citizenship. The client obtained a residence permit through science investment, without real estate, while maintaining the primary objective—access to EU citizenship, which is why Portugal was chosen.

Expert comment

The most common misconception about Portugal currently is that Golden Visa necessarily means purchasing an apartment. Following the reform, real estate as a qualifying basis was closed, and many conclude the program is unavailable. However, it remains operational—simply through alternative routes. This client was well-suited to the research and development pathway: capital supports scientific research rather than real estate, and provides the same residence permit entitlement. In my view, this is a more meaningful investment approach than freezing funds in real estate. The key here is selecting the right instrument: the investment must meet program requirements, otherwise it will not confer immigration status. Additionally, we always substantiate the source of funds. We identified a compliant investment, obtained the Golden Visa, and the client continues on the path to EU citizenship—through science rather than square meters.

Outcome

What the client received

Requirements

How we delivered · Outcome

Residence permit without real estate

Research route · Capital directed to science, not real estate

Valid qualifying basis

Investment meeting requirements · Credited toward Golden Visa

Clean source verification

Funds substantiation · Requirement fulfilled

Pathway to citizenship

Residence permit issuance · Access to EU citizenship preserved

Pathway to citizenship

Residence permit issuance · Access to EU citizenship preserved

What was: the client wanted Portugal's Golden Visa, believing real estate was required—but this basis was eliminated by reform. What we did: eliminated outdated assumptions; selected the research route; matched investment to program requirements; substantiated source of funds; executed the investment and obtained the residence permit. What the client received: Portugal's Golden Visa through research and development investment and a preserved pathway to EU citizenship.

Practical takeaway

What matters in a similar situation

• Conclusion: real estate purchase as a qualifying basis for Portugal's Golden Visa has been abolished, but the program operates through alternative routes—including research and development investment, which provides the same residence permit entitlement.
• The client obtained a residence permit and pathway to EU citizenship without real estate—because we redirected him to the active research route and structured the investment correctly.

FAQ

Questions people ask in a similar situation

About the author

Author: Sergey Evdokimov

Managing Partner, BRIDGES

As Founder and Managing Partner of BRIDGES, I am responsible for the firm's strategy and personally lead its most complex client matters, including cases in which citizenship or residence decisions require a strategic view and consideration of capital.

I begin by defining the objective: the outcome the client needs, the facts that affect the choice, and the matters that require further review. I then establish the available directions, the sequence of work, and the key decision points.

Once the strategy has been agreed, I oversee the BRIDGES team's key decisions and remain involved at the stages that shape the course of the matter. The purpose is to give the client a clear rationale for the chosen direction and a precise understanding of the next steps.

Prepared on the basis of BRIDGES practice and reviewed by a subject-matter expert.

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