Portuguese Republic · investor · Leads to settlement
Portugal Golden Visa (residence by investment)
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
Residence-by-investment route; real-estate and capital-transfer pathways were closed in October 2023, but fund-investment and other options remain.
- Processing time
- Historically 12–24+ months including backlog.
- 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).
- Sponsorship required
- No
- Leads to permanent residency
- Yes
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.
Guidance by nationality
Specific information for applicants from these countries. Don’t see yours? The general eligibility criteria above apply to everyone.
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
Choose a qualifying investment
Post-2023 reform, fund subscription is the most common route. Confirm fund is Golden Visa–authorised.
Complete investment and gather evidence
Make the investment through the approved vehicle.
Apply via AIMA
Submit application; biometric appointment.
Maintain minimum presence
Spend the required 7/14 days to keep the permit valid.
Apply for citizenship after 5 years
Golden Visa time counts toward the 5-year residence requirement for Portuguese citizenship.
Official application links
Where to actually go next
These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.
- Official portalApplicantApply through Portal ARI ↗
Use the AIMA ARI portal to register the investment residence application, upload documents, pay fees and book biometrics.
AIMA · verified
- Official guidanceApplicantCheck ARI eligibility guidance ↗
Use this official guidance to confirm qualifying investment categories and residence rights before filing.
AIMA · verified
Fees and processing time
Indicative government fees: Investment plus government fees typically €5,000+ on issuance, additional for family.. A decision then typically takes 6 months – 18 months. Both change over time, so the dedicated pages below carry the itemised breakdown and the current official figures.
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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.
Need tailored advice?
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