Portugal vs Cyprus: Golden Visa Programmes Compared
The lowest qualifying amount is €250,000 in Portugal and €300,000 in Cyprus. Here is how the two programmes differ on time in the country, the path to citizenship and processing, side by side.
Open
Cyprus
€300,000minimum
Permanent Residence Permit by Investment (Regulation 6(2))
Read the Cyprus guide →At a glance
| Portugal | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Programme | Golden Residence Permit Programme (ARI) | Permanent Residence Permit by Investment (Regulation 6(2)) |
| Status | Running since 2012 and still open; property routes were replaced by regulated funds in 2023 | Open at €300,000 under criteria revised in May 2023; in September 2026 the government said it will tighten the scheme before Cyprus joins Schengen |
| Lowest qualifying amount | €250,000 | €300,000 |
| Time you must spend there | 7 days in year one, 14 days per later 2-year period | Visit at least once every 2 years |
| Route to citizenship | Permanent residence at 5 years; citizenship at 10, or 7 for EU and CPLP nationals | About 8 years of actual residence, plus B1 Greek and a civics exam |
| Typical processing | Commonly 12-36 months amid AIMA backlogs | Officially about 2 months |
| Main routes |
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Which is cheaper, Portugal or Cyprus?
The lowest qualifying amount is €250,000 in Portugal and €300,000 in Cyprus. The cheapest route is not always the practical one: some low-entry routes are donations or contributions you never get back, while others are investments that can lose value independently of the permit. Add government fees, legal costs and, where relevant, family members before comparing totals.
How much time do you have to spend in each?
Portugal: 7 days in year one, 14 days per later 2-year period. Cyprus: Visit at least once every 2 years. A permit that asks for little time in the country is convenient, but a path to citizenship usually depends on genuinely living there.
Which leads to citizenship?
Portugal: Permanent residence at 5 years; citizenship at 10, or 7 for EU and CPLP nationals. Cyprus: About 8 years of actual residence, plus B1 Greek and a civics exam. Naturalisation rules are set separately from the investment programme and can change while you are part of the way through.
The biggest caveat for each
Portugal: Citizenship now takes ten years, or seven for EU and CPLP nationals, and the May 2026 law counts that period from permit issuance rather than filing, so AIMA backlogs lengthen the wait; some investors have complained to the Ombudsman and threatened lawsuits, and no court had ruled as of September 2026. Permanent residence at five years is unaffected.
Cyprus: The criteria are set by cabinet decision rather than law, and the current version is their fourth revision; in September 2026 ministers announced a tightening ahead of Schengen entry and a review of around 12,000 permits issued since 2013, with no new terms published yet.
More programme comparisons
Information reflects our own independent research as understood in September 2026. These rules change often and differ by nationality. Plain Investor does not sell or advise on any programme. This is general information, not legal, immigration or tax advice; check the official government source and a licensed immigration lawyer before committing money.