What kind of cultural contribution can I make to get the golden visa in Portugal?

To be eligible, projects and/or institutions need to be approved by Portuguese authorities. For instance, for cultural investment, GEPAC is the competent authority.

The investment through the cultural contribution works with a transfer of capital in the amount equal to or greater than €250,000. For this type of investment, you must demonstrate that you have made the investment in the minimum amount required, and may do so individually or through a sole proprietorship by shares of which you are the partner. You must submit the application to GEPAC (Office of Strategy, Planning and Cultural Assessment) for prior assessment of the action in question. GEPAC will forward the request to the Minister of Culture competent in the area for which the support is intended, and this assessment is made within a maximum of 10 working days, after which it is sent back to GEPAC. Once the activity to be supported is confirmed by GEPAC, the support can then be made by bank transfer to the entity responsible for the activity. After the support (which must be made by a single donation), you must then request from GEPAC the statement proving the bank transfer to the entity that was the target of the competent body's assessment. GEPAC, if it verifies that all the required documentation is in compliance, will issue the declaration indicated above. Beneficiary entities must keep an updated map of the initiatives that may be supported organized and accessible for consultation by potential interested parties. GEPAC must be informed of the map, whenever it is updated. GEPAC will publish the list of initiatives eligible for support on its website, in accordance with the updated information provided by the beneficiary entities.

Portugal’s cultural Golden Visa program offers two pathways: (1) artistic support funding and (2) a donation to the maintenance of national heritage. To qualify for the former, you must invest at least €250,000 in an artistic production, such as a film or musical. To qualify for the latter, you must donate the same amount, €250,000, to a qualifying art foundation or national heritage foundation. One has the choice of which cultural cause they want to support, but the project must be submitted for approval before the Bureau for Cultural Strategy, Planning, and Assessment of the Ministry of Culture (GEPAC).

In the Golden Visa cultural option, the eligible projects are previously certified by the Ministry of Culture so currently there is a restricted list for this purpose.