Country Guide

Portugal Golden Visa: A Country Guide for UAE Residents

What expats in Dubai and Abu Dhabi need to apply for Portuguese residency by investment, from UAE police clearance to moving funds out of AED.

Updated 14 Oct 2026

Written by Citizen Sure editorial team

Published: 1 Oct 2026

Local considerations

If you live in the UAE, most programmes will ask for a police clearance certificate from the UAE as well as from your country of citizenship. UAE-issued documents usually need attestation by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs before they are accepted abroad.

Funds held in AED are fine for most programmes, but banks and governments will want to see how the money was earned. Living in the UAE does not change your tax position at home, so check whether your country of citizenship taxes you on worldwide income before you invest.

Programme facts

Golden visa
Portugal Golden Visa
Minimum investment
€500,000
Processing
6–8 months
Visa-free destinations
186
View programme

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Frequently asked questions

Do I need to live in Portugal?

No. The golden visa has a low minimum-stay requirement, so you can keep living in the UAE.

Which UAE documents will I need?

Usually a UAE police clearance certificate and attested civil documents, plus proof of where your funds come from.

Is this guide free to download?

Yes, every Citizen Sure guide is free. We may ask for an email so we can notify you when a new edition is published; we never resell the data and there's no sales follow-up unless you ask.

How current is the information?

Each guide carries a 'last updated' date in the right-hand panel. Programme costs, processing times, and legal thresholds are revised at least once per programme year and within 14 days of any material legal change.

Who actually wrote it?

A named senior advisor who is currently running engagements in this programme. The data and timelines you read are the same ones we apply for clients.

Can I share the PDF with my accountant?

Yes. Forward freely to your accountant, lawyer, or family office. The licence is single-organisation use, please don't republish on a public website without permission.

What if my situation isn't covered?

Every situation we haven't covered in print, we've usually handled in practice, including non-resident structures, dual citizenship, and complex source-of-funds.

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