Greece Is Rising - But Portugal’s Fund-Based Golden Visa Still Leads for South African Investors in 2025

The Greek Golden Visa Is Booming - Especially With South Africans

In recent years, the Greek Golden Visa has exploded in popularity amongst South African investors. Headlines call Greece the “new Portugal” thanks to:

• Accessible real estate thresholds in key cities and islands
• No minimum stay requirement to maintain residency
• Immediate Schengen Area mobility for the whole family

For many South Africans worried about political risk, currency volatility and travel restrictions, Greece offers a powerful first step into Europe.

Why Portugal Still Sets the Standard for Serious Investors

Yet when you move from lifestyle marketing to institutional-grade investment decisions, Portugal’s Golden Visa via funds remains in a different league.

Instead of tying capital to a single property, South African families can allocate €500,000 into CMVM-regulated investment funds, typically with:

• Professional management and diversification
• Regulated reporting and oversight
• Exposure to institutional-quality assets
• Clear exit strategy aligned with residency timelines

Where Greece often positions property as the product, Portugal positions a regulated financial structure as the core of the Golden Visa.

Internal link: Learn more about the Portuguese Golden Visa via investment funds.

Key Benefits of the Portuguese Fund Route for South Africans

“Capital should remain productive. The Portuguese fund route transforms the Golden Visa from a lifestyle purchase into a structured investment decision - that is exactly where Explorer operates.”

Greece vs Portugal - What South African Families Really Compare

When South African investors sit down with Explorer, the conversation is rarely “Greece or Portugal?” - it is “what is the right role for each country in my global plan?”

In simple terms, Greece is excellent for lifestyle-driven real estate exposure - but Portugal, via funds, remains the reference point for structured, regulated European residency for South African investors.

Lifestyle, Mobility & Education - A Portuguese Advantage

Both Greece and Portugal offer Mediterranean climates, safety and culture. But Portugal layers that with:

• English widely spoken in Lisbon, Porto and the Algarve
• Strong international school ecosystem and European university access
• Established South African communities integrated into local business networks

For many families, Portugal becomes the primary European base, with Greece or other countries used as secondary lifestyle destinations.

Internal link: Learn more about Explorer Investments and our Golden Visa philosophy.

How Explorer Structures Portugal-First Strategies for South Africans

Explorer works at the intersection of Private Equity, regulated funds and investment migration. For South African clients, that means:

• Identifying CMVM-regulated funds aligned with each family's risk profile and objectives
• Coordinating Golden Visa legal processes with specialist counsel
• Designing multi-jurisdiction strategies that may combine Portugal, Greece and other EU options
• Supporting long-term planning - from children's education to succession and legacy

“For our South African clients, Portugal is rarely a nice-to-have. It is a strategic hedge - anchored in regulated funds and designed to protect families for decades, not just the next holiday season.”

FAQs - Greece vs Portugal Golden Visa for South Africans