Portuguese Republic · investor
Portugal Golden Visa (residence by investment)
Residence-by-investment route; real-estate and capital-transfer pathways were closed in October 2023, but fund-investment and other options remain.
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Overview
Portugal's Golden Visa programme underwent significant reform in October 2023. Direct property purchases and pure capital-transfer routes were removed. The remaining qualifying investments include subscription to qualifying investment funds, job-creation, scientific or cultural investment, and specific property investment in lower-density interior regions via fund structures.
Processing time
Historically 12–24+ months including backlog.
See source window: 6 months – 1.5 years →Government fees
Investment plus government fees typically €5,000+ on issuance, additional for family.
Typical duration
Initial 2-year residence renewable; very low physical-presence requirement (7 days in year 1, 14 in years 2 and 3).
Eligibility
Typical criteria
One of the remaining qualifying investments: fund subscription (typically €500,000+), job creation, scientific or cultural investment.
Clean criminal record.
Minimum physical presence: 7 days in year 1, 14 days per subsequent 2-year period.
Common blockers
Pure property purchase and capital-transfer routes are closed.
Fund must be specifically authorised for Golden Visa purposes by the Portuguese regulator.
Typical evidence
Investment evidence (fund subscription, employment contracts created, etc.).
Criminal record.
NIF and bank account.
Application pathway
Step 1
Choose a qualifying investment
Post-2023 reform, fund subscription is the most common route. Confirm fund is Golden Visa–authorised.
Step 2
Complete investment and gather evidence
Make the investment through the approved vehicle.
Step 3
Apply via AIMA
Submit application; biometric appointment.
Step 4
Maintain minimum presence
Spend the required 7/14 days to keep the permit valid.
Step 5
Apply for citizenship after 5 years
Golden Visa time counts toward the 5-year residence requirement for Portuguese citizenship.
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Frequently asked questions
Is the Portugal Golden Visa still available?
Yes, but narrower than before. Real-estate and pure capital-transfer routes closed in October 2023. Fund-subscription, job-creation, and scientific/cultural investment routes remain.
Does the Golden Visa require me to live in Portugal?
No — one of the headline features is the very low physical-presence requirement: 7 days in year 1 and 14 days in each subsequent 2-year period. This makes it popular with applicants retaining their primary residence elsewhere.
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