Portugal Golden Visa (ARI)
Portugal PRT
Portugal's Golden Visa (Autorização de Residência para Investimento) grants residency through qualifying investment, with a minimal physical presence requirement of just 7 days per year. As of 2024, real estate investment is no longer eligible; qualifying routes include fund subscriptions, capital transfers, and job creation.
Program Details
- Category
- Investment
- Processing Time
- 6 months
- Application Fee
- $5,400
- Minimum Income
- —
- Minimum Investment
- $500,000
- Family Included
- No additional investment required for dependent family members
- Path to PR
- Yes — 5 years
- Path to Citizenship
- Yes — 5 years
- Physical Presence
- Only 7 days per year in the first year, and 14 days per every subsequent 2-year period
- Dual Citizenship
- Allowed
- Tax Impact
- Minimal physical presence means most holders do not trigger Portuguese tax residency; those who do may qualify for NHR status
- Renewal Cost
- $2,700
Application Timeline
Apply
6mo processing
Visa Granted
Initial permit
Permanent Residency
After 5 years
Citizenship
After 5 years
Key Requirements
- ✓Qualifying investment: €500,000 in approved investment funds or venture capital, OR €500,000 capital transfer plus job creation, OR €250,000 in cultural heritage/arts
- ✓Clean criminal record
- ✓Proof of legal entry into Portugal
- ✓Valid health insurance
- ✓Investment must be maintained for the 5-year residency period
- ✓NIF and Portuguese bank account
Am I eligible for Portugal Golden Visa (ARI)?
Quick self-check based on the published criteria. Not legal advice. No data leaves your browser.
Nationality eligibility
Select your nationality to check.
Minimum investment / capital
Programme requires $500,000.
Fill in the fields above to see a verdict.
This is a heuristic, not a determination. Final eligibility depends on full documentation and immigration-officer discretion.
Nationality Restrictions
This program restricts applications from nationals of: EU/EEA and Swiss nationals are not eligible
Application Process — Step by Step
- 01
Choose qualifying investment route
home countrySince October 2023 reform, real estate investment is no longer eligible. Qualifying routes: €500,000 investment fund contribution (not directly or indirectly real estate), €500,000 research institution donation, €250,000 arts/heritage contribution, €500,000 creation of 10 Portuguese jobs, or capital transfer to Portuguese companies creating 5 permanent jobs.
Typical duration: 4-12 weekssource ↗
- 02
Obtain NIF and open Portuguese bank account
destinationTax number and Portuguese bank account required for investment transfer.
Typical duration: 1-3 weeks
- 03
Complete investment
destinationTransfer funds, execute investment agreement, obtain proof of investment (certified bank statements, fund subscription documents, etc.).
Typical duration: 2-6 weeks
- 04
Submit Golden Visa application to AIMA
onlineApplication submitted online via AIMA portal. Must include proof of investment, clean criminal record (Portuguese + home country), passport, proof of accommodation, health insurance.
Typical duration: Submission takes 1 week; backlog determines waitsource ↗
- 05
AIMA biometrics appointment
destinationAttend in-person biometrics appointment at AIMA office in Portugal. Current backlog places appointments 12-24 months after application submission.
Typical duration: 12-24 months wait for appointment
- 06
Receive Golden Visa residence card
destinationResidence permit issued after biometrics; valid 2 years initially, renewable for 3-year periods.
Typical duration: 2-4 months after biometrics
Documents Required
| Document | Issued By | Apostille | Translate to | Validity (days) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valid passport | Home country | No | — | 180 |
| Proof of investment (€500k+ qualifying) | Portuguese bank/fund/institution | No | — | — |
| Portuguese criminal record | Portuguese judicial authority | No | — | 90 |
| Home country criminal record | Home country | Yes | pt | 90 |
| Proof of accommodation in Portugal | Landlord/registry | No | pt | 180 |
| Health insurance valid in Portugal | Insurer | No | — | 365 |
| NIF tax number | Portuguese tax authority | No | — | — |
| Proof of investment source of funds (AML compliance) | Bank/tax/professional | Yes | pt | 90 |
Realistic Costs
Some figures below are industry estimates rather than officially verified: lawyer_fee_low, lawyer_fee_high, translations, apostilles, health_insurance_first_year, total_first_year_low, total_first_year_high, total_5_year_low, total_5_year_high.
Excludes the investment itself (€500,000+). Government fees include AIMA application fee (~€5,000 initial) and residence permit issuance (~€500). Lawyer fees for AML and investment structuring vary widely.
Realistic Timeline
- Consulate wait0–0 weeks
- Residence card issuance100 weeks
- Total to residence card52–130 weeks
AIMA backlogs are severe post-SEF dissolution (Oct 2023). Biometric appointments currently 12-24+ months wait. Applicants retain legal status during pending period.
Renewal
- First renewal after
- 24 months
- Subsequent cycle
- 36 months
- Renewal fee
- $3,000
- Requirements
- Maintain qualifying investment; 7 days physical presence per year in Portugal (the lowest stay requirement of any EU Golden Visa-style programme).
Path to Permanent Residency — Details
- Years required
- 5
- Language test
- CIPLE (A2)
- Integration test
- Not required
Path to Citizenship — Details
- Years required
- 5
- Language test
- Yes (A2)
- Civic test
- Not required
- Oath
- Required
- Dual citizenship
- Allowed
Tax Residency
- Trigger
- 183 days/year of presence
- Taxation scope
- Worldwide income
- Exit-tax country
- No
Special regimes
- IFICI20% flat on qualifying PT-sourced income
Narrow categories only.
Duration: 10 years
source ↗
Health Insurance
- Mandatory
- Yes
- Minimum coverage
- $30,000
Examples: Allianz Care, Cigna Global, Bupa International
Family Specifics
- Spouse work rights
- Spouse receives residence with full work rights
- Child school enrolment
- Public + international school access
- Parent inclusion
- Eligible (min age 55)
- Sibling inclusion
- Not eligible
Gotchas — Things to Watch For
- ⚠Real estate investment no longer qualifies as of October 2023 reform
- ⚠AIMA backlog means residence card issuance currently takes 1-2+ years
- ⚠Investment must be maintained for minimum 5 years (citizenship eligibility window)
- ⚠IFICI tax regime generally does not apply to passive investors
- ⚠Source-of-funds AML documentation is strictest among EU Golden Visas
What This Visa Does NOT Allow
- ×Withdrawal of qualifying investment before 5-year mark without losing residence
Common Rejection Reasons
- •AML concerns around source of funds
- •Investment does not qualify post-2023 reform (especially real estate)
- •Incomplete criminal record disclosure
- •Previous visa overstays or immigration violations
Recent Legislative Changes
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still use real estate to get the Portugal Golden Visa?+
No. As of October 2023, real estate investment is no longer a qualifying Golden Visa route. Pending applications submitted before the reform may still proceed. Current qualifying routes are fund investment (€500k), research contribution (€500k), arts/heritage (€250k), and job creation.
How long until I actually get my residence card?+
Official timelines state 6-9 months, but AIMA backlogs since the SEF dissolution in October 2023 mean biometric appointments are currently scheduled 12-24+ months after application. Applicants retain legal residence status during the pending period.
Do I need to live in Portugal?+
Only 7 days per year on average (14 days every 2 years) — the lowest stay requirement of any comparable EU programme. However, low physical presence does not trigger tax residency.
Can I get Portuguese citizenship after 5 years?+
Yes. 5 years of legal residence (counted from initial application date, not card issuance — confirmed by recent court rulings) makes you eligible. Requirements: A2 Portuguese (CIPLE), clean criminal record, demonstration of ties. Portugal permits dual citizenship and passport provides EU citizenship.
Good Fit For
Applying from a specific country? Your home-country tax rules, banking access, and dual-citizenship options affect every programme differently. Browse nationality guides → for tax obligations, renunciation rules, and second-passport routes.