Terracotta rooftops of Lisbon overlooking the Tagus river at sunset

Residency · Europe

Portugal Golden Visa

Q: Can my family be included?

Spouse, dependent children and dependent parents. (secondary source)

Q: How long does the process take?

A large backlog: about 39.6 months reported in March 2026. (secondary source)

Accepting applicationsFrom EUR 250,000

Discuss this programme Estimate Family Costs

A European residence program that has undergone significant reform.

Investment from: EUR 250,000
Processing: About 40 months
Family: Spouse, Children, Parents
Stay required: See the stay rules

Decision summary

What do you obtain?: Residence through the Portugal Golden Visa; citizenship after 10 years of legal residence for most nationals, 7 for EU and CPLP nationals (Organic Law 1/2026).
Full wordingHide full wording
Portugal Golden VisaRoute to citizenshipNaturalisation under the Nationality Law as amended by Organic Law 1/2026 (published 18 May 2026, in force 19 May 2026): 10 years of legal residence for most nationals, 7 for EU and CPLP nationals, generally counted from the first residence title.Full details below
What does your family invest?: EUR 250,000 (cultural contribution); EUR 500,000 for fund or research routes.
What is additional?: Per person in 2026: about EUR 842.80 application fee, EUR 8,418.90 permit issuance and EUR 4,210.30 for each renewal.
How long does it take?: A large backlog: about 39.6 months reported in March 2026.
Must you travel or live there?: At least 7 days in Portugal in the first year and 14 days in each subsequent two-year period, continuous or not (official SEF renewal guidance, now administered by AIMA).
What is the main drawback?: Biometric data and original documents must be provided in person in Portugal.
Family inclusion: Spouse, Children, Parents · conditions apply
Program status: Operational

Overview

Portugal's residence permit for investment activity has been substantially reformed in recent years.

The figures below are researched and dated. Confirm them with your advisor before any decision.

Path to citizenship

10 yearsof residence before you can apply for citizenship

Naturalisation under the Nationality Law as amended by Organic Law 1/2026 (published 18 May 2026, in force 19 May 2026): 10 years of legal residence for most nationals, 7 for EU and CPLP nationals, generally counted from the first residence title. Applications pending on 19 May 2026 follow the previous rules.

See every residency route to citizenship →

Who this program may not suit

Taken from the facts recorded on this page. It may not suit you if:

Your budget is below EUR 250,000, the minimum recorded investment, before fees and costs.
You cannot meet the stay rule: At least 7 days in Portugal in the first year and 14 days in each subsequent two-year period, continuous or not (official SEF renewal guidance, now administered by AIMA).

Investment pathways

Investment pathway: Investment fund units, scientific research, or cultural heritage/artistic support (real estate is no longer a qualifying route). Published reports also list job creation (10 jobs) and EUR 500,000 to set up or recapitalise a Portuguese company with job creation; a 20% reduction applies to some routes in low-density areas.
Minimum investment: EUR 250,000 (cultural contribution); EUR 500,000 for fund or research routes.

Checked against official programme sources

Family inclusion

Spouse
Named in the rule
Children
Named in the rule
Parents
Named in the rule
Siblings
Not named in the rule

Ages, dependency and other conditions are in the rule below; confirm them for each family member.

Eligible dependents: Spouse, dependent children and dependent parents.

Checked against official programme sources

Application process

1Make the qualifying investment and get proof of it, such as a declaration from a Portuguese bank confirming the transfer of the required amount.
2Gather the documents: passport and proof of legal entry, health cover, criminal records under three months old, a tax number, tax and social security clearance, and a sworn commitment to hold the investment for five years.
3Submit the application online through AIMA's ARI Portal and pay the analysis fee using the payment reference (DUC) the system generates.
4AIMA schedules an in-person appointment to collect biometric data; for applications submitted from 15 January 2025, the issuance fee is paid at this appointment.
5AIMA decides on the application, with a legal decision period of 90 days, and may first issue a notice for a hearing or to correct deficiencies.
6The residence card is posted to the applicant; later renewals are also requested from AIMA, with proof that the investment is still being maintained.

Steps and timings can change; your advisor confirms the current process before you apply.

Indicative timelines

Indicative processing timeframe: A large backlog: about 39.6 months reported in March 2026.

Checked against official programme sources

Investment and fees

Qualifying investment amounts and government fees are always shown separately. We do not publish single "total price" figures, as the total depends on family composition and circumstances.

Estimate for your family

Spouse

Children0

Parents0

Investment for your family: EUR 250,000; Cultural heritage / artistic support (from)
Known total so far: EUR 250,000; 5 cost items not yet included

Children are counted as 10 and parents as 60 unless you enter ages in the calculator. Full breakdown and ages

Qualifying investment

Cultural heritage / artistic support (from): EUR 250,000
Investment fund units: EUR 500,000

Estimated additional costs: Per person in 2026: about EUR 842.80 application fee, EUR 8,418.90 permit issuance and EUR 4,210.30 for each renewal.
To be confirmed: Government fees · Due diligence fees · Investment holding period

Checked against official programme sources

Residence requirements

Residence requirements: At least 7 days in Portugal in the first year and 14 days in each subsequent two-year period, continuous or not (official SEF renewal guidance, now administered by AIMA).
Renewal requirements: First permit valid for two years, then renewed for further two-year periods while the investment is kept.
Potential route to citizenship: Naturalisation under the Nationality Law as amended by Organic Law 1/2026 (published 18 May 2026, in force 19 May 2026): 10 years of legal residence for most nationals, 7 for EU and CPLP nationals, generally counted from the first residence title. Applications pending on 19 May 2026 follow the previous rules.

Checked against official programme sources

Due diligence and documentation

Applicants and included dependants undergo background and source-of-funds checks by the relevant authority. Documentation requirements are confirmed during preparation — no documents are needed for an initial consultation.

Recent changes

19 May 2026
Portugal's new nationality law takes effect
Organic Law 1/2026 changes the rules for naturalisation and for descendants. Applications filed before 19 May 2026 are judged under the old law.

All programme changes

Considerations, limitations and risks

Important restrictions

Biometric data and original documents must be provided in person in Portugal.

Residency is not citizenship; status typically requires renewal and continued compliance.
Any route to citizenship depends on separate naturalisation law, often including residence and language requirements.
Qualifying investment categories have changed in several jurisdictions in recent years.
Tax residency is distinct from immigration status and requires specialist advice.

Status and authority

Operational status: Operational
Official government authority: Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA), Portugal
Legal basis: Foreigners Law (Law 23/2007), Article 90-A; Nationality Law (Law 37/81) as amended.
To be confirmed: Nationality restrictions

Programme rules change; your advisor confirms every figure before you commit.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Portugal program currently open?

Program availability is confirmed during verification. Please speak with an advisor for the current status.

What is the minimum investment for Portugal Golden Visa?

EUR 250,000 (cultural contribution); EUR 500,000 for fund or research routes.

Can my family be included?

Spouse, dependent children and dependent parents.

Is there a minimum stay requirement for Portugal Golden Visa?

At least 7 days in Portugal in the first year and 14 days in each subsequent two-year period, continuous or not (official SEF renewal guidance, now administered by AIMA).

How long does the process take?

A large backlog: about 39.6 months reported in March 2026.

Does the Portugal Golden Visa lead to citizenship?