AIMA’s 2024 Official Report: Portugal’s Immigration Boom and Your Best Pathway for Becoming a EU Citizen

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The 2024 Migration and Asylum Report, recently released by Portugal’s Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA), paints a vivid picture of a nation that has become a magnet for global talent and investors. This report not only provides crucial updates on the “Golden Visa” (ARI) program but its broader statistics offer invaluable insights for all clients of The Golden Portugal—from investors and entrepreneurs to digital nomads and retirees.

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Three Numbers That Define Portugal’s Immigration Boom

Before diving into specific visa programs, let’s examine the macro trends revealed by this report:

1,543,697: Record-Breaking Foreign Resident Population

As of the end of 2024, Portugal’s foreign resident population reached 1,543,697. This figure represents nearly quadruple growth compared to 421,802 in 2017. In 2024 alone, the foreign resident population grew by 18.3%, demonstrating that Portugal’s appeal is not diminishing but actually accelerating.

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85.5%: Shattering the “Retirement Haven” Stereotype

The data shows that 85.5% of foreign residents are of potential working age (18 to 64 years old), with the 18 to 34 age group being the largest demographic. This statistic completely debunks the stereotype that Portugal is just a retirement haven. In fact, Portugal is attracting large numbers of young professionals, entrepreneurs, and digital nomads.

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71%: The Coastal Concentration Effect

Over 71% of foreign residents are concentrated in the four coastal districts of Lisbon, Faro, Setúbal, and Porto. This trend provides crucial reference points for investors and entrepreneurs choosing where to invest and settle.

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2024 Golden Visa (ARI) Core Data Analysis

As Portugal’s most prestigious investment immigration program, the Golden Visa (ARI) continued to demonstrate its global appeal in 2024.

Core Statistics at a Glance

  • Main Applicants Approved: 2,081
  • Family Members Approved: 2,909
  • Total New Residents: Nearly 5,000

Top 5 countries for Golden Visa approvals in 2024:

  1. United States: 406
  2. China: 296
  3. Russia: 248
  4. United Kingdom: 147
  5. India: 140
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Insights Behind the Data: American investors hold an overwhelming lead. This reflects not only the strong demand among US high-net-worth individuals for a “second identity” but also demonstrates their high confidence in Portugal’s political stability, investment environment, and quality of life. 

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Golden Visa Family Rights Fully Protected

On October 16, 2025, President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa ratified the amendments to Portugal’s Law on Foreigners (Lei de Entrada e Saída de Estrangeiros), confirming the reforms previously approved by Parliament in September.

The final version of the law explicitly excludes Golden Visa holders from the new restrictions on family reunification, ensuring that their rights remain fully protected. Investors can therefore continue to reunite with spouses, dependent children, and in many cases dependent parents without being subject to the new two-year waiting period applicable to other residence categories.

This exemption reflects the Portuguese Government’s acknowledgment of the Golden Visa’s importance as a stable and predictable investment pathway for international families. It confirms that the program’s integrity and long-term security remain intact, reinforcing Portugal’s position as one of the most attractive destinations for investment-based residency.

Beyond Investment: The Rise of Entrepreneurs (D2) and Digital Nomads (D8)

The AIMA report powerfully underscores the boom in professional and business-oriented immigration. “Professional Activity” was the leading reason for new residence permits issued in 2024, with 63,527 grants.

  • A Booming Trend: In 2024, 5,259 new residence permits were granted for Independent Professional Activity. This strong figure confirms that Portugal’s appeal to those who want to start a business (D2 Visa) or work for themselves (D8 Visa) is being officially recognized and approved in large numbers.
  • A Large, Established Community: The total number of residents in Portugal under this status is 30,375, highlighting a robust and growing ecosystem of entrepreneurs and independent professionals.
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While the report does not provide a separate statistical category for the D7 visa (Passive Income), the consistent growth in residents from traditional D7 applicant countries like the U.S. and the U.K. allows us to reasonably infer that this remains a vital and popular pathway to life in Portugal.

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Key Takeaways for Future Residents of Portugal

AIMA’s 2024 report sends several clear messages:

  1. Portugal’s Appeal is All-Encompassing: Whether through investment, entrepreneurship, or lifestyle choices, Portugal offers open doors to people from diverse backgrounds.
  2. The Investment Path is Solid: The Golden Visa program continues to attract high-net-worth individuals globally, particularly from the United States.
  3. Entrepreneurial and Professional Paths are Thriving: The official data confirms that pathways for entrepreneurs (D2) and digital nomads (D8) are not just niche options but are a major, growing component of immigration to Portugal.

Your Window of Opportunity

These aren’t just abstract statistics; they represent accessible pathways available today. With approval rates at historic highs across all visa categories, the data confirms that Portugal’s immigration system is functioning efficiently and welcoming qualified applicants.

Ready to start your Portugal journey? Book a free consultation to discover which visa pathway aligns with your goals.

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We are also the pioneer firm to help clients to invest through funds back from 2020 until now. Come talk with us.

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