Portugal Golden Visa

One of Europe's most popular residency by investment programs. Obtain EU residency in Portugal with minimal stay requirements, apply for permanent residence after 5 years, and become eligible for citizenship after 7–10 years under the 2026 nationality law.

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Portugal's Golden Visa grants EU residency to non-EU nationals who make a qualifying investment. Since 2023, the main options are investment funds from EUR €500,000 and artistic production or cultural heritage from EUR €250,000 (direct real estate purchase no longer qualifies). With a stay requirement of just 7 days per year, holders can apply for Portuguese permanent residence after 5 years. Under Portugal's Nationality Law reform in force since May 2026, citizenship now requires 7 years of legal residence for EU/CPLP (Portuguese-speaking country) nationals or 10 years for everyone else — up from 5 years previously; applications filed before the law took effect remain grandfathered under the old 5-year rule.

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Investment From

EUR €250,000 (cultural heritage)

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Residency Type

EU Residency — Schengen access

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Processing Time

6–12mo official target (up to 36mo in practice)

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Stay Requirement

7 days/year minimum

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Permanent Residence

Eligible after 5 years

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Citizenship Eligible

After 7 yrs (EU/CPLP) or 10 yrs

Investment Options

Investment Funds

EUR €500,000

The most popular current route. Invest in a qualifying Portuguese-incorporated and regulated fund for at least 5 years.

CMVM-regulated funds only
No direct property purchase
Funds must operate in Portugal

Artistic Production / Cultural Heritage

EUR €250,000

Support artistic production or maintenance of national cultural heritage. Lowest investment threshold available — and drops to €200,000 in low-density territories.

Ministry of Culture approval required
Donation or contract-based
20% discount in low-density territories (€200,000)

Company Investment

EUR €500,000

Capital injection into a new or existing Portuguese company, plus creating or maintaining at least 5 permanent full-time jobs.

Via incorporation or capital increase
Requires only 5 jobs (fewer than the Job Creation route)
A fit for hands-on entrepreneurs

Research & Scientific Development

EUR €500,000

Contribute to public or private scientific research activities by recognized institutions in Portugal.

FCT or equivalent body must endorse
Can be institutional or direct
Strong alignment with EU innovation agenda

Job Creation

No minimum capital

Create at least 10 permanent full-time jobs in Portugal, or 8 jobs if investing in a low-density territory.

Must maintain jobs for 3+ years
Business setup required
Low-density areas qualify with fewer jobs

Who Is This For?

Non-EU citizens with qualifying investment in Portugal
Clean criminal record from country of residence and country of origin
Investment in a qualifying fund (EUR €500,000+), cultural heritage (EUR €250,000+; €200,000+ in low-density territories), or a Portuguese company (EUR €500,000+ plus creating 5 jobs)
Can include spouse, minor children, dependent adult children (students), and parents
Health insurance coverage in Portugal required
No income or language test at entry — A2-level Portuguese language required for citizenship

How It Works

1
Investment Selection
Choose qualifying investment type: investment funds, cultural heritage donation, company investment, or scientific research. Direct real estate is no longer eligible since 2023 for Golden Visa.
2
Tax Number (NIF) & Bank Account
Obtain Portuguese tax identification number and open a Portuguese bank account — required before making the investment.
3
Investment & Documentation
Complete the qualifying investment. Gather supporting documents: passport, criminal record, proof of investment, health insurance.
4
ARI Application
Submit the Autorização de Residência para Atividade de Investimento (ARI) application through SEF/AIMA — the Portuguese immigration authority.
5
Biometrics & Residence Card
Attend biometrics appointment in Portugal. Residence card (Golden Visa) issued — valid 2 years, renewable for 2-year periods.
6
Permanent Residence
After 5 years of continuous Golden Visa, apply for permanent residence.
7
Citizenship
Under the 2026 Nationality Law, apply for Portuguese citizenship (EU passport) after 7 years of legal residence (EU/CPLP nationals) or 10 years (everyone else) — prior PR is not required. Requires A2 Portuguese and a civic-knowledge test.

Country Location

Why ITC iLand for This Program?

ITC iLand has guided over 100 families through global citizenship and residency by investment programs — from Caribbean second passports to European Golden Visas. We work with government-authorized agents in each jurisdiction and bring 25+ years of international immigration expertise to ensure your application is compliant, complete, and processed without delays.

Frequently Asked Questions

As of October 2023, direct residential real estate purchase no longer qualifies for the Golden Visa. Qualifying options now include investment funds (EUR €500,000+), cultural heritage (EUR €250,000+; €200,000+ in low-density territories), a Portuguese company investment (EUR €500,000+ plus creating 5 jobs), and scientific research. Real estate in interior regions and the Azores/Madeira may still qualify in some cases — consult our advisors for the latest rules.

Golden Visa holders must spend a minimum of 7 days in Portugal in the first year and 14 days in each subsequent 2-year renewal period. This is among the lowest stay requirements of any residency program.

The official target is 6–12 months, but AIMA's (Portugal's immigration agency) application backlog means the realistic timeline from starting your documentation to holding a residence card often runs 18–36 months in 2026. Set your expectations accordingly, and track your case progress with ITC iLand.

After 5 years of holding the Golden Visa (with minimum stays met), you may apply for EU permanent residence. You will need basic Portuguese language skills (A2 level).

Portugal's Nationality Law reform, in force since 19 May 2026, extended the required period: 7 years of legal residence for EU/CPLP (Portuguese-speaking country) nationals, or 10 years for everyone else — up from 5 years for all nationalities previously. The clock starts from the residence-card issuance date, not the application date, and prior PR is not required. Applications filed before 19 May 2026 remain grandfathered under the old 5-year rule. You'll also need A2-level Portuguese, a civic-knowledge test, and no criminal record.

Yes. Dependent children included in the Golden Visa are eligible for Portuguese citizenship alongside the main applicant once they meet the required residence period.

Holding a Golden Visa does not make you a Portuguese tax resident. If you become a tax resident (183+ days/year), Portugal offers the Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) tax regime with favorable rates for 10 years.