Looks like there has been a spike in people applying via donation option per this article
Wonder what routes people are taking? Have come across just one person doing this in the forum. Considering oppurtunity costs, 200K Euro option in lowly populated areas seems interesting. Would love to get the groups thoughts. Looking to apply for GV in the next few weeks.
You still have to go through the AIMA process. So you are gifting 200k and you still have to endure AIMA process. I am sure legal fees are not different either.
I wish I had considered this option more carefully. Since I threw my money into a bottomless pit of despair we know as Portugal, at least I could have felt good about helping someone in the process and not had to carry the burden of dealing with tax/regulatory filings and wondering if I will ever get my money back. I suggest not investing in Portugal GV at all, but if you really want to this seems like a good option.
I’m not sure if anyone did the math.
Opportunity cost is another factor to consider. Investing 500k in Portugal vs invest in more developed market like the US, using historical returns. Although past returns don’t indicate the future, maybe the returns from 500k in the US are worth more than the 200k donation
…or you can just use search and find it yourself 
LOL “helping someone”… you mean like a museum that takes your 250k and never talks to you again?