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Portugal Golden Visa, Residency by Investment
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Golden Visa by Investment

Portugal

“Europe's most popular golden visa — minimal stay, maximum access, with a clear path to EU citizenship.”

Golden Visa186 Visa-Free CountriesFrom €250,0006–8 months
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Programme at a Glance
Min. Investment
€250,000
Processing
6–8 months
Visa-Free Access
186 countries
Family Members
Spouse, children, parents
Stay Requirement
7 days/yr
Tax Benefit
Yes
Verified by senior advisor
Updated June 2026 · Sourced from government regulations
Why investors trust us
Independent
No developer commissions
NDA on every engagement
Confidential by default
98% success rate
First-submission approvals
Overview

Overview

Portugal's Golden Visa Programme (Autorização de Residência para Actividade de Investimento — ARI) is one of Europe's most sought-after residency investment pathways. It offers EU residency, Schengen zone access, and a clear route to full Portuguese citizenship after just 5 years — with a minimum physical presence of only 7 days per year.

Since its launch in 2012, the Portugal Golden Visa has been one of the most successful investment residency programmes in history. The programme has attracted over €7 billion in foreign direct investment and issued permits to over 12,000 investors and their families from more than 100 nationalities.

Key benefits

Key Benefits

EU Residency from Day One
Live, work, and travel freely across all 27 EU Schengen states. Access the EU single market without restrictions.
Path to EU Citizenship
After just 5 years of legal residency (7 days/year), you become eligible to apply for full Portuguese citizenship and passport.
7 Days Per Year Minimum Stay
One of the lowest stay requirements of any EU residency programme. No need to relocate your primary residence.
NHR Tax Regime
Portugal's Non-Habitual Resident regime offers a flat 20% tax rate on Portuguese income and potential exemptions on foreign income for 10 years.
EU Education Rights
Children have access to Portugal's public education system and can attend university anywhere in the EU on domestic terms.
Family Reunification
Spouse, dependent children of any age, and dependent parents of both spouses can be included in a single application.
Investment options

Investment Options

Option 1

Investment Fund Units

Currently the most popular route — no property purchase required
From €500,000
From

Investment in qualifying Portuguese investment fund units or venture capital funds. This route is popular because it does not require purchasing real estate in a restricted area, offers diversified exposure to the Portuguese economy, and is managed by regulated fund managers. We can provide a curated list of eligible funds.

Most popular routeNo property requiredDiversified investmentFund manager managed
Option 2

Real Estate — Commercial & Low-Density

Property investment in eligible areas
From €280,000
From

Real estate investment in low-density areas or commercial properties. Metropolitan residential property in Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve has been excluded since October 2023. Qualifying properties include commercial real estate throughout Portugal and residential property in eligible low-density municipalities.

Low-density areasCommercial property5-year hold period
Option 3

Capital Transfer

Transfer to a Portuguese financial institution
From €1,500,000
From

A capital transfer of a minimum of €1.5 million to a Portuguese bank, with the capital available for productive investment. This route suits applicants who prefer maximum liquidity and flexibility in their underlying investment strategy.

Maximum flexibilityBank-held capitalNo real estate required
Eligibility

Application Requirements

Valid passport (non-EU, non-EEA nationality)
Clean criminal record from country of origin and country of residence
Proof of legal entry into Portugal
Qualifying investment made and evidenced
Health insurance policy with Portugal coverage
Declaration of compliance with minimum investment rules
Minimum 7 days per year physical presence in Portugal (from Year 2: 14 days/2-year period)
Timeline

Application Process & Timeline

  1. Initial Assessment & Investment Selection

    1–2 weeks

    Eligibility review, NHR tax analysis, and investment vehicle selection with your dedicated advisor.

  2. Investment Execution

    4–8 weeks

    Complete the qualifying investment — fund subscription, property acquisition, or capital transfer — and obtain relevant documentation.

  3. Application Submission to AIMA

    2–4 weeks

    We prepare and submit the complete Golden Visa application to the Portuguese immigration authority (AIMA).

  4. Biometrics Appointment in Portugal

    3–8 months wait

    In-person appointment in Portugal for biometric data collection. We coordinate scheduling.

  5. Residence Permit Issued

    1–2 months after biometrics

    Permit card issued. Valid for 2 years from issuance, then renewable for successive 2-year periods.

  6. Citizenship Eligibility After 5 Years

    5 years from first permit

    After 5 years of legal residency (minimum 7 days/year), you may apply for Portuguese citizenship and passport.

Frequently Asked Questions

Portugal Golden Visa — frequently asked

The questions advisors hear most often on this topic. If your situation is more specific, the senior-advisor consultation is the fastest route to a tailored answer.

Senior advisor response
2 hours
Average reply during business hours

No. Since October 2023, residential real estate in metropolitan Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve is no longer eligible. Investment fund units are now the most popular and recommended route. We can provide a curated list of eligible funds.

The minimum physical presence requirement is 7 days in the first year and 14 days in each subsequent 2-year renewal period. This is one of the lowest stay requirements of any EU residency programme and does not require you to relocate your primary residence.

Yes. The Golden Visa grants you the right to live and work in Portugal and travel freely within the Schengen Area without a visa. After 5 years of legal residency, you may apply for Portuguese citizenship and passport.

Portugal's Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) regime offers a flat 20% income tax rate on qualifying Portuguese-source income and potential exemptions on certain foreign-source income for 10 years from the date you become a Portuguese tax resident. Our tax advisory team will assess your personal situation and structure your residence accordingly.

The investment and application preparation typically takes 6–10 weeks. The wait for a biometrics appointment at AIMA currently ranges from 3–8 months. Following your biometrics appointment, the permit is issued within 1–2 months. Total timeline from engagement to permit issuance is typically 6–12 months.

Client stories

What clients say about Portugal Golden Visa

View all stories
"

"Citizen Sure guided our family through Malta citizenship with exceptional professionalism. We now hold EU passports — the process was seamless from first consultation to passport in hand."

AK
Arjun K.
Technology Entrepreneur · Mumbai → Malta
"

"Speed and certainty were our priorities. They secured UAE Golden Visas for our entire family in under three weeks. Their government relationships and due diligence process were genuinely impeccable."

SL
Sophie L.
Family Office Director · Paris → Dubai
"

"Two years into our Portugal Golden Visa journey, we're on track for EU citizenship. The investment has already paid for itself many times over in business opportunities and lifestyle freedom."

RC
Rafael C.
Real Estate Developer · São Paulo → Lisbon
"

"I was initially sceptical about the process, but the team's expertise and transparency gave me complete confidence. Our Caribbean passports arrived in 58 days, exactly as promised."

WZ
Wei Z.
Fund Manager · Shanghai → St. Kitts
Ready to start?

Get a tailored Portugal Golden Visa plan.

A senior advisor will assess your Portugal Golden Visa eligibility, structure your application, and lay out the timeline — typically within a 30-minute call.

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Senior advisor responds within 2 hrs Strict NDA · Confidential
Programme intelligence

Related Insights

Market reports, regulatory alerts, and programme updates from our Golden Visa desk.

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The Biggest Mistake Golden Visa Investors Are Still Making in 2026

The Biggest Mistake Golden Visa Investors Are Still Making in 2026

Many investors still assume a Golden Visa leads directly to citizenship. In 2026, that misunderstanding is becoming increasingly risky as residency programmes tighten rules, extend timelines and introduce stricter long-term requirements for naturalisation and mobility access.

Matthew Brown20 May 2026
Why Wealthy Americans Are Quietly Securing Second Passports in 2026

Why Wealthy Americans Are Quietly Securing Second Passports in 2026

22 Apr 2026
Why Wealthy Families Are Building “Passport Portfolios” Instead of Relying on One Country

Why Wealthy Families Are Building “Passport Portfolios” Instead of Relying on One Country

18 Mar 2026
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Programme perspective

Portugal Golden Visa 2026 — Complete Guide

Portugal's Golden Visa programme remains one of the world's most popular investment residency pathways in 2026. Despite the removal of residential property in prime urban areas as a qualifying investment, demand for the programme continues at record levels, with investment fund units emerging as the dominant route. The programme offers EU residency, Schengen access, and a path to full EU citizenship after 5 years — with a minimum stay of just 7 days per year.

Portugal Golden Visa vs Other EU Programmes

Compared to other EU golden visa programmes, Portugal offers a compelling combination of accessibility (from €250,000 for low-density real estate), minimal stay requirements (7 days/year), a clear citizenship pathway (5 years), and attractive tax benefits (NHR regime). Greece offers a similar entry price point but has a longer citizenship pathway (7 years). Spain requires €500,000 in real estate but offers a strong lifestyle proposition. Malta offers EU citizenship directly — at a significantly higher investment threshold — without the residency pathway.

€250,000
Min. investment

≈ $270K USD

7 mo
Processing time

Typical, indicative

186
Visa-free reach

Countries on this passport

Yes
Family inclusion

Spouse + dependants

Yes
Tax benefits

Per programme rules

98%
Success rate

First-submission approvals