Golden Visa
Obtain Portuguese residency through qualifying investment. Minimal stay requirement — just 14 days per year. Path to EU citizenship after 5 years. Full legal package from €4,995.
Min. Investment
€500,000
Min. Stay
14 days / year
Path to citizenship
5 years
Legal Package
€4,995
The Portugal Golden Visa (ARI) is a residency-by-investment program requiring a minimum €500,000 investment in a qualifying Portuguese fund; real estate stopped qualifying under the 2023 reforms. It requires just 14 days of physical presence per two-year renewal period and leads to eligibility for permanent residency or citizenship after 5 years, with legal packages from €4,995.
Why the Golden Visa
Residency through investment — with minimal presence required
The ARI (Autorização de Residência para Atividade de Investimento) is Portugal's investor residency programme. Unlike other visas, you don't need to live in Portugal full-time — just 14 days per two-year renewal period.
Live & Work in Portugal
Full right to live, work, and study in Portugal from day one of your Golden Visa approval.
Schengen Travel
Visa-free travel across all 26 Schengen Area countries with your Portuguese residence card.
Family Reunification
Include spouse, children, and parents on the same application — they all qualify for residency.
Path to EU Citizenship
After 5 years of holding the Golden Visa, you can apply for Portuguese permanent residency or citizenship.
Minimal Stay Requirement
Just 14 days per two-year renewal period. No need to uproot your life — the Golden Visa works around you.
NHR 2.0 Tax Benefits
If you become a tax resident, Portugal's NHR 2.0 programme offers significant tax advantages on qualifying income.
Pricing
Choose the right level of support
No hidden fees. No surprises. Every package includes your NIF and bank account setup, with a 50% discount for the second person and a 70% discount for dependants.
Golden Visa
€4995
Portugal's residency-by-investment program
- Fund Selection and Eligibility
- NIF Number & Bank Account
- Video Consultations
- Investment Execution
- Online Application Submission
- Biometric Appointment Coordination
- ...and much more.
NIF Number
€95
Portuguese Tax ID — required for everything
- Apply for NIF
- Certify documents via video call
- Process takes within 7 business days
Investment Routes
Qualifying investments for the 2026 ARI
Following the 2023 reforms, real estate purchases no longer qualify for the Golden Visa. The current eligible routes are fund-based investments and a few other qualifying categories.
€500,000
Most Popular Route
Qualifying Fund Investment
Invest in a Portuguese-regulated investment fund (SICAV, SICAF, or similar) for a minimum of 5 years. Funds must invest at least 60% in Portuguese companies or assets.
Recommended
€500,000
Alternative Route
Venture Capital / PE Fund
Investment in Portuguese venture capital or private equity funds. Funds must have a minimum 60% Portugal allocation and a minimum 5-year lock-up period.
€500,000
Alternative Route
Scientific Research
Investment in R&D activities with Portuguese research institutions or the national scientific and technological system.
€250,000
Cultural Route
Cultural or Artistic Production
Investment in artistic production, recovery, or maintenance of national cultural heritage through qualified entities approved by Portugal's culture ministry.
Important: Real estate investment (including residential properties) was removed from the Golden Visa qualifying routes in October 2023. Only the investment categories listed above currently qualify. We advise on the most suitable fund for your profile during consultation.
The Journey
From investment to citizenship — step by step
The Golden Visa has a defined 5-year path. Here's exactly what happens at each stage.
1
Make the Qualifying Investment
Select and invest in a qualifying Portuguese fund. We advise on fund selection and due diligence. The investment must remain in place for 5 years.
Month 1–2
2
Submit ARI Application to AIMA
We prepare and submit your complete ARI application to AIMA (immigration authority) — including investment proof, clean criminal record, and all supporting documents.
Month 2–3
3
Biometrics Appointment
Once your application is approved in principle, you attend a biometrics appointment in Portugal in person. This is typically required only once.
Month 4–8
4
Residence Card Issued
Your Portuguese Golden Visa residence card is issued — valid for 2 years and renewable. You now have the right to live, work, and travel in the Schengen Area.
Month 6–12
5
Renewals & Minimum Stay
Renew every 2 years (then 3 years). Maintain minimum 14 days presence per 2-year period. Investment must remain in place throughout.
Years 1–5
★
Permanent Residency or Citizenship
After 5 years, apply for permanent residency or Portuguese citizenship. Pass a basic Portuguese language test (A2 level) and demonstrate ties to Portugal.
Year 5+
Client Stories
Real people. Real results.
FAQ
Questions about our Golden Visa
Yes — the Portugal Golden Visa (ARI) is active in 2026. It grants EU residency to non-EU investors and their families in exchange for a qualifying investment, with a physical presence requirement of only about 7 days per year. Real estate no longer qualifies, but the fund, cultural donation, research, and job creation routes remain fully open.
The main routes are: €500,000 in a CMVM-regulated investment fund (the most popular option), €250,000 cultural or heritage donation (€200,000 in low-density areas), €500,000 in scientific research (€400,000 low-density), €500,000 company capitalisation creating 5 jobs, or creating 10 jobs in Portugal. Real estate and simple capital transfers were removed in October 2023.
You invest a minimum of €500,000 in a Portuguese private equity or venture capital fund regulated by the CMVM. Qualifying funds must have at least a 5-year maturity, invest 60%+ in Portuguese companies, and have no direct or indirect real estate exposure. We help you assess funds, complete subscription, and document the investment for AIMA.
Just 7 days in the first year and 14 days in each subsequent two-year period — the lowest physical presence requirement in Europe. You do not need to relocate, become tax resident, or give up your current job or home country residence.
Yes, but under the new Nationality Law (in force since 19 May 2026), citizenship requires 10 years of legal residence for most nationalities — 7 years for EU/CPLP nationals — counted from the issue of your first residence card. Permanent residency remains available after 5 years, and pending citizenship applications filed before 19 May 2026 are assessed under the old 5-year rule.
Yes. One investment covers your spouse or partner, dependent children (including students up to 26), and dependent parents. Each family member receives their own Portuguese residence permit with full rights to live, work, and study in Portugal and travel visa-free in the Schengen Area.
Realistically 12–24 months from investment to residence card, driven mainly by AIMA processing backlogs. The investment, NIF, bank account, and application submission can be completed in 2–3 months; biometrics and card issuance take the remainder. We manage every stage and monitor your file with AIMA.
For most investors, yes. Despite the longer citizenship timeline, the Golden Visa remains Europe's most flexible residency-by-investment programme: minimal stay requirements, full family inclusion, Schengen travel, permanent residency after 5 years, and a regulated fund investment that can be exited after the holding period. It's the strongest EU 'Plan B' available without relocation.
Ready to Start?
Secure EU residency through qualifying investment in Portugal
Book a consultation with our Golden Visa specialists. We'll explain your investment options, timeline, and the full cost picture — no surprises.
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