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.
Golden Visa Guide
Everything you need to know about Portugal's Golden Visa
Portugal's Golden Visa (ARI) is a residency-by-investment route for eligible non-EU investors. The current page focuses on qualifying investment routes, minimal physical presence, family inclusion and the five-year permanent-residency pathway.
✅ The Golden Visa works if you…
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Want Portuguese residency through investmentThe ARI route allows eligible investors to obtain Portuguese residence through a qualifying investment.
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Cannot relocate full-timeThe current page highlights the minimal physical-presence requirement compared with ordinary residence routes.
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Want family residencyEligible spouses, dependent children and dependent parents can be included under the current page's family rules.
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Want an EU residence pathwayThe residence card provides the rights described on the page, including living, working, studying and Schengen travel.
⚠️ Know this before applying
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Real estate no longer qualifiesProperty purchases were removed from the Golden Visa qualifying routes in October 2023.
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The investment must be maintainedThe current page states that the qualifying investment must remain in place for five years.
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Investment eligibility mattersNot every Portuguese fund or investment qualifies. The investment must meet the applicable ARI requirements.
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Citizenship rules have changedThe current FAQ distinguishes the five-year permanent-residency route from the current nationality-law timeline.
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
What investments qualify for the Portugal Golden Visa in 2026?
The current page lists fund-based investment, scientific research and cultural/artistic routes as qualifying categories. It also notes that real estate is no longer eligible.
Qualifying investment fund — €500,000
Invest in a Portuguese-regulated qualifying fund for the required holding period. The current page states that qualifying funds must allocate at least 60% to Portuguese companies or assets.
Venture Capital / Private Equity — €500,000
The current page lists Portuguese venture-capital or private-equity funds with a minimum 60% Portugal allocation and a five-year lock-up.
Scientific Research — €500,000
Investment in R&D activities with Portuguese research institutions or the national scientific and technological system.
Cultural or Artistic Production — €250,000
Investment supporting artistic production or national cultural heritage through qualified entities approved by the relevant Portuguese authority.
Real estate: buying residential or commercial property is no longer a qualifying Golden Visa route under the 2023 reforms.
Fund Investment
How does the €500,000 Golden Visa fund investment work?
The current page presents qualifying Portuguese-regulated funds as its most popular Golden Visa route.
📊 Key fund conditions
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Minimum €500,000The current page states the minimum qualifying investment.
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60%+ Portugal allocationQualifying funds must invest at least 60% in Portuguese companies or assets according to the page.
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Five-year holding periodThe investment must remain in place for five years under the current page.
⚠️ Fund selection matters
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Regulatory eligibilityNot every investment fund qualifies for ARI.
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Due diligenceThe current service includes fund selection and eligibility support.
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No direct real estate exposureThe current FAQ states that qualifying funds must not have direct or indirect real-estate exposure.
Family
Who can be included in a Golden Visa application?
The current page states that one qualifying investment can cover eligible family members under the family-reunification rules.
Spouse or partner
An eligible spouse or partner can be included and receives their own Portuguese residence permit.
Dependent children
Dependent children can be included. The current FAQ specifically mentions dependent students up to age 26.
Dependent parents
Dependent parents can be included under the family rules described on the current page.
Individual residence cards
Each qualifying family member receives their own Portuguese residence permit with the rights described on the page.
Minimum Stay
How many days do you need to stay in Portugal with a Golden Visa?
The current page states a minimum presence of 14 days per two-year renewal period. Its FAQ also describes this as 7 days in the first year and 14 days in each subsequent two-year period.
1
Initial period — 7 days
The current FAQ states a seven-day presence requirement in the first year.
2
Subsequent renewal period — 14 days
The current page states 14 days of physical presence per subsequent two-year renewal period.
3
No full-time relocation required
The Golden Visa is designed for investors who want Portuguese residency without living in Portugal full-time.
Important: The live page contains both “14 days per year” in the headline/glance area and the more detailed 7-day/14-day renewal explanation in the FAQ. The detailed renewal-period wording should be used when publishing the final content.
Documents & Preparation
What documents are needed for the Golden Visa?
The exact document list depends on the investment route and applicant. The current page identifies these core categories.
Identity documents
Valid passport and identity documentation for the applicant and qualifying family members.
Clean criminal record
The current process specifically identifies clean criminal-record evidence as part of the ARI application.
Investment proof
Evidence showing that the qualifying investment has been made and meets the applicable ARI requirements.
NIF and Portuguese bank account
The current package includes NIF and Portuguese bank-account setup as part of the Golden Visa service.
Supporting application documents
Additional documents may be required depending on the investment route and family circumstances.
The Process
What is the Portugal Golden Visa process?
The current page describes a five-stage journey from qualifying investment to long-term residence planning.
1
Make the qualifying investment
Select a qualifying investment and complete the investment. The current page states that the investment must remain in place for five years.
2
Submit the ARI application to AIMA
Prepare and submit the ARI application with investment proof, criminal-record evidence and supporting documents.
3
Attend biometrics
The current page states that the applicant attends a biometric appointment in Portugal, normally only once.
4
Receive the residence card
The current page states that the Golden Visa residence card is valid for two years and renewable.
5
Renew and maintain the investment
Renew according to the applicable schedule, meet the minimum-stay requirement and keep the qualifying investment in place.
Timeline
How long does the Golden Visa process take in 2026?
The current FAQ estimates 12–24 months from investment to residence card, mainly because of AIMA processing times.
Investment and preparation — 2–3 months
The current FAQ states that investment, NIF, bank account and application submission can be completed in approximately 2–3 months.
Biometrics — later stage
The detailed journey on the current page places biometrics approximately around months 4–8.
Residence card — government processing
The current FAQ gives an overall realistic estimate of 12–24 months from investment to residence card.
AIMA backlogs
The current page identifies AIMA processing backlogs as the main source of uncertainty.
Timelines are estimates. Government processing times can change and cannot be guaranteed.
Residence & Long-Term Planning
Does the Golden Visa lead to permanent residency or citizenship?
🏠 Permanent residency
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Five-year routeThe current page states that permanent residency can be pursued after five years.
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Portuguese languageThe current page states that an A2-level Portuguese test is part of its long-term pathway.
🇵🇹 Portuguese citizenship
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Current nationality timelineThe current FAQ states that under the Nationality Law in force since 19 May 2026, citizenship generally requires 10 years of legal residence, or 7 years for EU/CPLP nationals.
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Rules depend on the law in forceNationality eligibility should be checked against the rules applicable to the applicant at the time of application.
Benefits
What are the benefits of the Portugal Golden Visa?
Live, work and study in Portugal
The current page states that Golden Visa holders have these rights from approval.
Schengen travel
The Portuguese residence card provides the travel rights described on the current page.
Family inclusion
Eligible spouse, children and parents can be included under the applicable family rules.
Minimal physical presence
The current page highlights the low stay requirement compared with other Portuguese residence routes.
Real Estate
Can you still get a Portugal Golden Visa by buying property?
No. Real estate investment, including residential property, was removed from the Golden Visa qualifying routes in October 2023. The current page lists qualifying fund, research and cultural routes instead.
Visas.pt Support
How can Visas.pt help with a Golden Visa?
⚖️ Golden Visa Package — €4,995
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Fund selection & eligibilitySupport choosing a qualifying investment route and assessing eligibility.
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NIF & bank accountIncluded in the current Golden Visa package.
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ARI applicationOnline application submission and biometric appointment coordination are included.
📊 Investment guidance
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Investment executionSupport through the qualifying investment process.
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Due diligenceThe current page describes assistance with fund assessment and selection.
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Long-term planningSupport through renewals and the five-year residence pathway.
Important: Investment products carry their own financial and investment risks. Immigration eligibility and investment suitability are separate questions and should both be assessed before committing funds.
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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.
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Secure EU residency through qualifying investment in Portugal
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