Portugal has taken a major step to accommodate the soaring number of wealthy Americans seeking residency in the country by approving its first golden visa fund designed exclusively for US citizens.
The new LXL Ventures fund arrives at a moment when Americans have become the leading nationality applying for Portugal’s Golden Residence Permit Program, marking a dramatic shift from just a few years ago when they represented only a small proportion of applicants.
Advisors say the surge stems from Americans pursuing greater stability, safety, and diversification – both financially and personally – amid political polarization, concerns about crime, and global uncertainty.
A Fund Tailored to American Investors
The newly approved LXL Ventures fund was created specifically to meet the needs of US citizens navigating Portugal’s residency-by-investment system. Unlike traditional golden visa vehicles, it is structured with an American-style portfolio: 40 percent allocated to the US market, 35 percent to established Portuguese market leaders, and 25 percent to local innovation and technology. The design mirrors investment patterns familiar to American clients, helping reduce friction as they diversify assets overseas.
Golden visa experts involved with the fund emphasize the unique challenges Americans face when investing internationally. Cross-border tax rules, reporting obligations, and compliance requirements can be considerably more complex for US nationals than for other investors.
According to the fund’s advisors, most existing Portuguese funds were not specifically structured to accommodate these needs, despite Americans now constituting the largest demographic seeking golden visa–eligible investments. LXL Ventures aims to close that gap by offering a fully compliant structure aligned with both US and Portuguese regulations, along with support for the tax selections required to unlock Portugal’s new benefit scheme for foreign residents.
Interest from Americans continues to climb sharply. One Lisbon-based golden visa fund reported a 571 percent increase in US traffic in early 2025 compared to the year prior. Many incoming applicants cite safety, quality of life, and access to the broader European Union as core motivations.
Portugal’s program requires a minimum capital contribution of €250,000 and imposes minimal stay requirements – just seven days per year at the beginning of the five-year residency process and 21 days total in the remaining three years.
Broader Trends Shaping Portugal’s Golden Visa Landscape
Portugal’s golden visa program has evolved significantly following a shift away from real estate investments and toward regulated financial products, especially venture capital and private equity funds. Parallel to the introduction of LXL Ventures, fund-based investment options across the market have continued to attract a rising wave of North American investors.
Leading fund managers report consistent demand, with some funds reaching hundreds of millions of euros under management and a substantial portion of their investor base composed of golden visa applicants.
Despite ongoing legislative adjustments – including extended timelines for nationality eligibility – investor confidence remains strong. Industry leaders highlight that even with changes, the program continues to provide valuable economic benefits to Portugal and a compelling long-term residency pathway for global applicants.
For many Americans in particular, Portugal offers not just a “plan B,” but a chance to build a life in a safe, stable country with broad access to the EU and a lifestyle that increasingly aligns with their priorities.
