Portugal Golden Visa: EU Residency and Citizenship by Investment

The Portugal Golden Visa — officially the Residence Permit for Investment Activity (ARI) — is a residency-by-investment programme that grants non-EU/EEA nationals a Portuguese residence permit in exchange for a qualifying investment.

Key features of the programme:

• ●A five-year residency route, renewed at each stage.
• ●A minimum physical stay of only about 7 days per year.
• ●Visa-free travel across the entire Schengen Area.
• ●The right to live, work and do business in Portugal.
• ●Family reunification for your spouse, children and dependent parents.
• ●The right to apply for permanent residence or citizenship after 5 years.

Applications are processed by AIMA (the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum), which replaced the former SEF.

Portugal consistently ranks among the most attractive investor residency programmes in Europe. The main benefits:

Minimal Stay Requirement

Unlike most programmes, Portugal does not require you to live in the country. An average of 7 days per year (14 days over a two-year period) is enough — so you can obtain EU residence without giving up your current life and business.

Schengen Freedom and the Right to Work

The Golden Visa card grants visa-free travel across 26 Schengen countries and the right to work and run a business in Portugal.

One Application for the Whole Family

Your spouse or partner, dependent children and dependent parents are all included in a single application.

A Clear Path to Citizenship

Five years of legal residence, A2-level Portuguese and a clean record open the door to a citizenship application.

Following the 2023 reform, the real-estate and capital-transfer routes were removed; the programme now focuses on productive and cultural investment. The current options are:

• ●Fund subscription — €500,000: Subscription to qualifying Portuguese venture-capital/investment funds. The most popular and passive option.
• ●Cultural and national-heritage donation — €250,000: A donation to the arts, culture or the preservation of national heritage. The amount drops to €200,000 in low-density areas.
• ●Scientific research — €500,000: A contribution to Portugal's public science and technology system.
• ●Business and job creation: Create at least 10 jobs, or invest €500,000 of share capital in a company while creating or maintaining jobs.

Important Note

Buying real estate no longer qualifies for the Golden Visa. We do, however, support clients who wish to buy property to live in or invest in Portugal under a separate service (see below).

The core requirements to apply are:

• ●Being a national of a non-EU/EEA/Swiss country.
• ●Being at least 18 years old.
• ●Completing one of the approved investment options with clean, lawfully sourced funds.
• ●Holding a clean criminal record.
• ●Providing valid health insurance and the required declarations.

The programme is especially well suited to entrepreneurs and investors who want EU residence without relocating, remote-working professionals, and families planning an EU future for their children.

The Golden Visa process consists of nine main steps; some can run in parallel. Astropel manages each stage on your behalf:

• ●1. Select the investment: We identify the investment option that fits your goals.
• ●2. NIF and bank account: We obtain your Portuguese tax number (NIF) and open a bank account.
• ●3. Legal due diligence: We review the legal status of the chosen investment.
• ●4. Transfer the investment: We transfer the required amount to your Portuguese bank account.
• ●5. Conclude the investment: Where needed, we act on your behalf through a Power of Attorney.
• ●6. Application file: We prepare all documents to be submitted to AIMA.
• ●7. Biometrics appointment: We arrange your biometrics appointment at AIMA.
• ●8. Renewals: We renew your permit at Year 2 and Year 4.
• ●9. Permanent residence / citizenship: We file your permanent-status application in Year 5.

The application generally requires the following:

• ●A valid passport and photographs.
• ●A NIF (Portuguese tax identification number).
• ●Bank/investment evidence proving the investment was made.
• ●A criminal-record certificate from your home country and from Portugal.
• ●Valid health insurance in Portugal.
• ●A declaration of no outstanding tax obligations.
• ●Birth/marriage certificates for family members (apostilled and translated).

We coordinate the apostille, certification and official translation of every document for you.

The first residence permit is valid for 2 years and is renewed every two years. The programme's biggest advantage is its flexible stay requirement:

• ●7 days in the first year and 14 days in each subsequent two-year period.
• ●This requirement applies for as long as you keep your investment.

This flexibility makes Portugal the most practical programme in Europe for those who want EU residence without relocating.

A single Golden Visa application covers the whole core family:

• ●Spouse or registered partner.
• ●Dependent children (including adult children still in education under certain conditions).
• ●Dependent parents.

Family members also gain the right to live, work and study in Portugal and enjoy Schengen freedom of movement.

At the end of five years of legal residence, you have two options:

Permanent Residence

After 5 years you can apply for permanent residence, which grants the right to live, work and study in Portugal without maintaining the investment — and waives the minimum-stay obligation tied to the investment route.

Citizenship

With an A2-level Portuguese test and a clean record you can apply for Portuguese citizenship and obtain a full EU passport.

The New Nationality Law — Why Act Now?

A recently approved nationality reform proposes increasing the residency requirement from 5 to 10 years and counting the period from the issuance of the first residence card rather than the submission date. Because no transitory regime is envisaged, applying early preserves a clear time advantage. We monitor the situation closely and guide you toward the best scenario for your circumstances.

Holding a Golden Visa does not automatically make you a tax resident. If you spend fewer than 183 days a year in Portugal, you are generally not taxed there on your worldwide income.

For those planning to relocate, Portugal's tax-incentive regimes (the former NHR and the new incentive programmes that replaced it) can offer significant advantages on certain income types. We provide planning tailored to your situation around tax residence, double-taxation treaties and access to incentives.

Although real estate no longer qualifies for the Golden Visa, many of our clients still buy property to live in or invest in Portugal — and we support that process too:

Purchase Steps

• ●Reservation and promissory contract (CPCV): The binding agreement between buyer and seller, usually with a 10–30% deposit.
• ●Deed (Escritura Pública): Signed before a notary; the property is registered in your name with the Land Registry and Tax Office.

Taxes and Costs

• ●IMT (transfer tax): A sliding scale of 0–8% depending on property type and value.
• ●Stamp duty: 0.8% of the price (an extra 0.6% with a mortgage).
• ●IMI (annual property tax): 0.3–0.45% for urban property, varying by municipality.
• ●Notary and registration fees plus legal fees.
• ●We recommend budgeting around 10% of the price for total closing costs.

Financing for Non-Residents

Portuguese banks can offer non-residents mortgages with a 60–70% loan-to-value and terms up to 30 years. We handle the NIF, bank account, legal review and the entire process end to end.

The Golden Visa is a multi-step process that demands the right investment choice and a flawless application file. With Astropel you get:

• ●End-to-end management: We handle the NIF, bank account, investment, AIMA application, biometrics and renewals.
• ●A local expert network: We work directly with legal and tax specialists in Portugal.
• ●A transparent process: We clarify the cost breakdown and timeline from the outset.
• ●Family-tailored planning: We build the right application structure for spouses, children and parents.
• ●20+ years of experience and a disciplined, 100% follow-through on every application.

The first step is simple: tell us about your situation and we'll provide a tailored free eligibility assessment. Fill in the form below to start the process today.

How much investment does the Portugal Golden Visa require?

The lowest entry is a €200,000 cultural donation in low-density areas; the standard cultural donation is €250,000, and fund investment starts at €500,000.

Do I have to live in Portugal?

No. An average of 7 days per year is enough; you do not need to relocate.

Can I include my family?

Yes. Your spouse/partner, dependent children and parents are included in the same application.

When can I become a citizen?

Under current rules, after 5 years of legal residence. As the new law may extend this period, applying early is advantageous.

Can I get the Golden Visa by buying property?

No — the real-estate route was removed in 2023. We do, however, support you separately with property purchases.

How long does the process take?

It depends on the investment type and AIMA appointments; a well-prepared file keeps waiting times to a minimum.