To maintain your Portugal Golden Visa, meeting the minimum stay requirement is essential — but just as important is knowing how to prove it. Whether you’re planning your travel or preparing for renewal, understanding what counts and how to document your time in Portugal can save you time and stress.
In this article, we’ll explain what’s required, what proof is accepted, and how to stay compliant with confidence.
What is the Portugal Golden Visa Program?
The Portugal Golden Visa is a residency-by-investment program that allows non-EU citizens to obtain a residence permit in Portugal by making a qualifying investment in the country.
It’s especially popular among individuals seeking greater mobility within Europe, a path to permanent residency or citizenship, and access to Portugal’s attractive lifestyle and business environment.
Holders gain visa-free travel within the Schengen Area, the ability to live, work, or study in Portugal, and can include family members under the same application.
After five years, applicants become eligible to apply for permanent residency or Portuguese citizenship, without needing to give up their original nationality.
Portugal Golden Visa Requirements
Minimum Stay Requirement
Golden Visa holders must spend an average of seven days per year in Portugal. This totals 14 days over the validity of each residence card, which is typically issued for two years.
Golden Visa Investment Requirement
Applicants must provide proof of a qualifying investment that meets the minimum threshold under current program rules. In addition, a declaration of honor must be signed, confirming your commitment to maintain the investment for at least five years.
Getting a Portuguese NIF Number
The NIF (Número de Identificação Fiscal) is a personal tax number required for nearly all legal and financial activities in Portugal — from opening a bank account to buying property. You can obtain an NIF at a local tax office, through a legal representative, or via a service provider.
Opening a Portuguese Bank Account
Opening a Portuguese bank account is a key step in the Golden Visa process. The qualifying investment must be transferred from this local account, and authorities require proof of the origin of funds to ensure compliance with anti-money laundering regulations.
Required Documents for the Portugal Golden Visa
Golden Visa applicants must submit documents both at the time of the initial application and for each renewal. Requirements may be updated by the Portuguese government, so it’s important to check for changes. The essential documents include:
- Completed Portugal Golden Visa application form
- Copy of valid passport and travel documents
- Bank declaration confirming the transfer of investment funds from abroad
- Police clearance certificate from the country of origin or residence, issued within 90 days before application
- Declaration of honor committing to maintain the investment for five years
- Proof of good standing with Portuguese Tax and Customs Authority
- Proof of non-enrollment or good standing with Portuguese Social Security
All foreign documents must be legalized. If the issuing country is part of the Hague Convention, an apostille is required. Any documents not in Portuguese must be translated and certified, usually by a notary.
The Minimum Stay Requirement For Golden Visa Program
As mentioned before to renew the Portugal Golden Visa residence permit, holders must comply with the minimum stay requirements set out in Article 65-C of Regulatory Decree No. 84/2007, dated November 5:
- 7 days (consecutive or not) during the first year
- 14 days (consecutive or not) during each subsequent two-year period
In practice, however, initial residence permits are now typically issued for two years (instead of one year as in the past), followed by two-year renewals. As a result, Golden Visa holders must stay in Portugal for at least 14 days within each two-year period, and must provide proof of their physical presence in the country to meet this requirement.
Proof of Stay for Portugal Golden Visa Holders
Although the law and its regulatory decree do not specify the exact documents needed to prove physical presence in Portugal, in practice, AIMA (the Portuguese Immigration and Borders Service) generally requests the following:
Accepted Documents to Prove Stay
- Boarding passes showing entry to and exit from Portugal
- Invoices or receipts with your Portuguese NIF (tax identification number) for each day spent in the country. These can include: Hotel bills, Restaurant and café receipts, Store purchases and Other services used locally
Family Members’ Document Requirements:
All family members included in the Golden Visa application must also provide proof of presence.
- A shared invoice, such as a hotel stay listing all names, may help demonstrate the group’s presence.
- However, individual boarding passes are required for each family member — even if traveling together.
Practical Recommendation:
To ensure smooth renewal and full compliance:
- Keep all boarding passes for each trip
- Collect at least one invoice per day during your stay in Portugal, always linked to your NIF
Frequently Asked Questions About How to Prove Minimum Stay Requirements for the Portugal Golden Visa
Does the day of arrival and departure count toward the minimum stay requirement?
To avoid any risk, it’s safer to count full calendar days only. Interpretation may vary depending on the AIMA officer reviewing your case.
When does the Golden Visa minimum stay requirement start counting?
The minimum stay requirement starts from the date your residence card is issued and must be fulfilled during the validity of each card, which is typically 2 years.
Can the 14 days be consecutive?
Yes, the 14 days within each two-year period can be consecutive or spread out. You’re free to organize your time in Portugal as it suits you.
Are boarding passes enough to prove my stay in Portugal?
AIMA often accepts boarding passes—especially for family members—as sufficient. However, providing additional supporting documents (like receipts or photos) is always safer.
What if I arrive in Portugal via another Schengen country and don’t get a Portuguese entry stamp?
If staying at a hotel, they’ll usually notify AIMA of your presence. If not, you must report to an AIMA office or police station within 3 days of arrival to get a declaration of entry.
What kind of invoices can I use to prove daily presence in Portugal?
You can use receipts from restaurants, cafés, shops, hotels, or other services — as long as your Portuguese NIF appears on them and they match the days you were in Portugal.
More Question
Do family members need to provide individual proof of stay?
Yes. While shared invoices (e.g., hotel bills listing all names) may help, each family member should have their own boarding passes, and ideally, some individual proof of stay.
What’s a creative way to show family presence together?
Some suggest taking a group photo in front of a recognizable Portuguese landmark, holding a local newspaper with the date visible — a lighthearted but effective extra proof.
What happens if I don’t meet the 14-day stay requirement?
Failing to meet the stay requirement may result in denial of your renewal application, so it’s crucial to plan ahead and document your visits properly.
Is the 7-day requirement for the first year still applicable?
Technically, yes — 7 days in the first year, then 14 days for each 2-year period. But since initial cards are now usually issued for 2 years, you’ll need to meet the 14-day rule from the start.
To avoid any risk, it’s safer to count full calendar days only. Interpretation may vary depending on the AIMA officer reviewing your case.
The minimum stay requirement starts from the date your residence card is issued and must be fulfilled during the validity of each card, which is typically 2 years.
Yes, the 14 days within each two-year period can be consecutive or spread out. You’re free to organize your time in Portugal as it suits you.
Conclusion
AIMA often accepts boarding passes—especially for family members—as sufficient. However, providing additional supporting documents (like receipts or photos) is always safer.
If staying at a hotel, they’ll usually notify AIMA of your presence. If not, you must report to an AIMA office or police station within 3 days of arrival to get a declaration of entry.
You can use receipts from restaurants, cafés, shops, hotels, or other services — as long as your Portuguese NIF appears on them and they match the days you were in Portugal.
Yes. While shared invoices (e.g., hotel bills listing all names) may help, each family member should have their own boarding passes, and ideally, some individual proof of stay.
Some suggest taking a group photo in front of a recognizable Portuguese landmark, holding a local newspaper with the date visible — a lighthearted but effective extra proof.
Failing to meet the stay requirement may result in denial of your renewal application, so it’s crucial to plan ahead and document your visits properly.
Technically, yes — 7 days in the first year, then 14 days for each 2-year period. But since initial cards are now usually issued for 2 years, you’ll need to meet the 14-day rule from the start.
