Skip to content Secure Portuguese Residency Through the Golden Visa Program
We help you choose the most suitable Golden Visa route and guide you through every stage of the investment process. Our local team supports you in making your path to residency in Portugal simple and efficient.
Benefits of the Portugal Golden Visa Program
Visa-Free Travel: Explore the Schengen Area and move freely across the European Union without additional visas.
Residency Rights: Gain the right to live, work, and study in Portugal, with no obligation to relocate full-time.
Family Inclusion: Your spouse, dependent children, and dependent parents can be included under a single application, enjoying the same residency rights.
Minimum Stay Requirements: Maintain residency with low physical presence requirements while accessing Portugal’s public healthcare and education systems once registered as a resident.
Path to Citizenship: After five years of legal residency you can apply for permanent residency or Portuguese nationality, and also apply for a Portuguese passport with visa-free access to 185 countries.
Investment Options for Portugal Golden Visa
A successful Golden Visa process begins with the right investment. We guide investors in choosing compliant, well-structured funds that meet all legal criteria while aligning with their long-term residency goals. The investment must be completed before submitting the application in order to qualify for the Golden Visa residence permit. Below is an overview of the available investment options under Portugal’s Golden Visa program:
Investment Option | Minimum Amount |
|---|---|
Investment Funds | €500,000 |
Donation to national cultural heritage | €250,000 or €200,000 for low density projects |
Scientific research | €500,000 or €350,000 for low density projects |
Creation of ten jobs | N/A |
Share capital and job creation | €500,000 |
For options 2 and 3, the minimum investment can be reduced by 20%, bringing it down to €200,000, if the project is located in a designated low-density area. These areas are defined as regions with fewer than 100 inhabitants per square kilometer or where the GDP per capita is below 75% of the national average.
Investment funds
Investing in a Portuguese private equity or venture capital fund is one of the most straightforward routes to secure residency under the Golden Visa program. These funds are managed by professionals regulated by the CMVM, ensuring compliance with program requirements.
Investors can target sectors such as energy, industry, or technology. It’s important to note that qualifying funds cannot engage, directly or indirectly, in real estate activities.
U.S. investors may also use IRA funds to invest, provided the structure complies with both Portuguese Golden Visa rules and IRS regulations. When properly arranged, this can allow the use of retirement capital without triggering early withdrawal penalties or immediate taxation.
Donation for national cultural heritage
Make a contribution starting at €200,000 for projects located in low-density areas, or €250,000 in standard locations, into approved initiatives supporting Portuguese arts, culture, or national heritage.
To qualify under this route, the investment must be directed to an eligible Cultural Production project that has been officially approved by the Portuguese authorities through GEPAC.
Scientific research
Another option is to invest at least €500,000 in research activities carried out by public or private institutions that are part of Portugal’s national scientific and technological system.
Creation of ten jobs
Under this route, the investor must create a minimum of 10 full-time jobs. If the business is established in a low-density area, the requirement is reduced to 8 positions. All employment contracts must fully comply with Portuguese labor law and social security regulations.
Share capital and job creation
Entrepreneurs and investors may set up a new company in Portugal or invest in an existing one. This route can include a job-creation component and offers two main options:
Incorporate new Portuguese company with a minimum share capital of €500,000 and create at least five permanent jobs; or
Increase the share capital of an existing Portuguese company by €500,000 and meet the employment requirements established by the Portuguese authorities.
Portugal Golden Visa Requirements
Minimum residence requirement
Under the Golden Visa program, you must stay in Portugal for at least 7 days during the first year, and 14 days in each following two-year renewal period.
Maintain the qualified investment
You’ll need to provide proof that you’ve made the required minimum investment, along with a signed declaration confirming that you will maintain that investment for the full duration of the visa.
Required documents
- Completed Golden Visa application form
- Copy of a valid passport and travel document
- Declaration from your Portuguese bank confirming the transfer of investment funds from abroad
- Proof of valid health insurance in Portugal
- Criminal record certificate (police clearance) from your country of origin, issued within 90 days prior to submission
- Declaration of honor confirming you will maintain the investment for a minimum of five years
- Certificates confirming you are in good standing with the Portuguese Tax Authority and Social Security
Any document issued outside Portugal must be properly legalized. If the country of issuance is a signatory to the Hague Convention, an apostille is required. Documents that are not in Portuguese must be officially translated and certified, usually by a notary.
Portuguese NIF number
The NIF (Número de Identificação Fiscal) is your Portuguese tax number. It’s a unique identification issued by the tax authorities and is required for almost any formal transaction in Portugal — including opening a bank account, purchasing property, signing contracts, or paying taxes. If you are not resident in Portugal, you must appoint and maintain a fiscal representative for as long as the process requires it.
Opening a Portuguese bank account
For your Golden Visa application, you’ll need to open a Portuguese bank account. This step is essential because the qualifying investment must be made from a local Portuguese account. The authorities require clear evidence that the funds come from your own account and that the transaction fully complies with anti-money laundering regulations.
Portugal Golden Visa Cost and Fees
The official costs for submitting, approving, and renewing the Portugal Golden Visa residence permit are outlined below. All government fees apply per applicant, including both the main applicant and each dependent family member. Please note that while the figures are correct at the time of publication, AIMA may revise the applicable fees without prior notice.
Application | Permit Issuance | Per Renewal (Expect to renew twice) | Total Over 5 Years | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Single Applicant | €632.10 | €6,314.20 | €3,157.80 | €13,261.90 |
Couple | €1,264.20 | €12,628.40 | €6,315.60 | €26,523.80 |
Family of Four | €2,528.40 | €25,256.80 | €12,631.20 | €53,047.60 |
Application Legal Fees
Portugal Golden Visa legal fees vary depending on the complexity of the application and the number of family members included. The legal fee is adjusted based on the number of dependents involved, and a clear, fixed quotation is provided in advance so clients understand the total cost before proceeding.
Invest in Portugal Through the Golden Visa Program
We guide you through the entire Golden Visa process, from choosing the right investment to securing residency, ensuring a clear and efficient path forward.
Portugal Golden Visa Application Process
Onboarding
Initial consultation with a Golden Visa legal specialist to review the full process, address your questions, assist in selecting the most suitable qualifying investment option, and ensure the application is completed in full compliance with the regulations.
Bank account and NIF
Collect all required documentation for yourself and any accompanying family members, ensuring that each document is properly translated and, where necessary, notarized or certified. To obtain your Portuguese tax number (NIF), we will appoint a fiscal representative on your behalf. Once the NIF has been issued, we will support you in opening a bank account in Portugal.
Make the Investment
Select the investment route that best aligns with your objectives. As an independent consultancy, we provide guidance across all qualifying Golden Visa options. Once your strategy is defined, we coordinate the investment process and support you with the required documentation to ensure the transaction is structured correctly and fully compliant.
Online Application
Your application must be filed through the ARI Portal by a qualified legal representative in Portugal, who will oversee the preparation of the required documentation and manage the submission process on your behalf.
Pre Approval
Your application will receive pre-approval once the authorities confirm that all legal and documentary requirements have been properly satisfied. This means the investment has been validated, the supporting documents are compliant, and the eligibility criteria under the Golden Visa framework have been met.
Biometrics Visit
From the moment your interview is scheduled, the waiting period is typically around two months before you attend your Golden Visa biometrics appointment in person in Portugal.
Why Work With Us
Local Expertise
Portugal-focused expertise with deep local insight.
Independent Advisory
Independent advice across all qualifying Golden Visa investment routes.
Honest Guidance
Client-first recommendations with transparent pricing.
All-in-One Solution
One point of contact for the entire Golden Visa process.
Seamless Process
Technology-driven, efficient, and low on paperwork.
All-In-One Solution
For Your Safe Haven In Portugal
Your Questions Answered
Is the Portugal Golden Visa still available?
Yes. The program remains active, but real estate and capital transfer options were removed in 2023. Eligible routes now include investment funds, cultural donations, scientific research, and job creation.
Is the Golden Visa Portugal available for UK citizens?
Yes. Since Brexit, UK nationals qualify as non-EU applicants and can apply under the same conditions as other third-country nationals.
Is the Golden Visa available for US citizens?
Yes. US citizens are fully eligible and are one of the largest applicant groups. The program offers EU residency with minimal stay requirements and a path to citizenship after five years.
Do dependents qualify for the Portugal Golden Visa program?
Yes. The program allows for family reunification, meaning you can include close family members in your application. Eligible dependents typically include your spouse or legal partner, minor children, adult children who are financially dependent and enrolled in studies, as well as dependent parents. Once approved, each family member receives their own residence permit, linked to the main applicant’s Golden Visa.
Do I need to do the Portuguese Golden Visa language test?
No, not for the Golden Visa itself. There is no language requirement to obtain or renew the residence permit. However, if you later apply for Portuguese citizenship after five years, you will need to pass a basic A2-level Portuguese language test (unless exempt due to age or special circumstances).
What are the Portuguese Golden Visa healthcare benefits?
Golden Visa holders can access Portugal’s healthcare system once they are registered as residents. The country offers a high-quality public healthcare system (SNS), as well as modern hospitals and clinics throughout the country. In addition, there are affordable private healthcare options, which many investors prefer for faster appointments and broader coverage through private health insurance.
What’s the Portugal Golden Visa processing time?
The Portugal Golden Visa processing time generally ranges from 12 to 24 months. This period covers the full process, including application submission, review by AIMA, scheduling of biometric appointments, and final approval. Delays can occur due to high application volumes or additional document verification. Once approval is granted, the residency cards are typically issued shortly thereafter.
Is it possible to get your money back with the Portuguese Golden Visa?
Yes, it is possible to recover your investment under the Portugal Golden Visa, but this depends entirely on the route selected and the performance of the investment. For example, fund investments are market-based. Capital may be returned at the end of the fund’s term, subject to performance and the fund’s exit structure. Returns are not guaranteed and carry varying levels of risk. On the other hand, cultural or heritage donations are non-refundable. Once the contribution is made, it cannot be recovered.
What is Portuguese Golden Passport?
There is technically no “Golden Passport” program. Portugal offers a Golden Visa (residency by investment). After maintaining legal residency for five years, investors may apply for Portuguese citizenship, provided they meet the legal requirements (including language proficiency and clean record).