Canreach Global

Portugal Golden Visa

Residency by investment in the European Union, with one of the lowest minimum stay requirements in Europe.

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Portugal's Residence Permit for Investment Activity, known internationally as the Golden Visa, remains one of the most flexible European residence-by-investment strategies. Direct real estate purchase is no longer a qualifying route for new applications, but qualifying fund, scientific research, cultural and company investment routes remain open. You gain the right to live and work in Portugal without having to relocate full time from the outset.

Key facts

Portugal Golden Visa at a glance

OutcomeTemporary Portuguese residence permit (ARI), renewableMinimum investmentFrom EUR 250,000, depending on the route you chooseInvestment routesQualifying funds, scientific research, arts and cultural heritage, company investmentTime to approvalAn estimate of 12 to 24 months, subject to change case by case. Portuguese processing times are currently long and we give you a realistic estimate before you commitFamily includedSpouse or legally recognised partner, minor children, qualifying dependent adult children and eligible dependent parents, through family reunificationPhysical presenceAIMA states at least 7 days in the first year and 14 days in each subsequent two-year period

Figures as of October 2026. Amounts and timelines change and are confirmed before you commit.

The program

About the Portugal Golden Visa

The Golden Visa is formally the Autorização de Residência para Investimento, or ARI. It is administered by AIMA, the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum, under Article 90-A of Portuguese law. The permit is granted to non-EU nationals who make and maintain a qualifying investment in Portugal.

The program has changed significantly. Direct real estate purchase and simple deposit or capital transfer routes are no longer qualifying new-investment categories. What remains is a set of investment activities aimed at Portuguese companies, research and culture. For most applicants today that means a subscription into a qualifying fund that holds no real estate exposure.

What makes Portugal distinct is the minimum stay. Most European residence permits expect you to move. The ARI framework asks for a number of days measured in weeks rather than months, which is why it suits investors who want an EU base without leaving their current country, business or tax position behind.

The permit itself is temporary and renewable. Permanent residence and Portuguese nationality are separate applications, made later, with their own legal requirements. Neither follows automatically from the investment.

Benefits

Why clients choose the Portugal Golden Visa

  1. A Portuguese residence authorisation carrying the right to reside and work in Portugal.

  2. Travel within the Schengen Area in accordance with the applicable Schengen rules.

  3. Family reunification for qualifying family members, processed in connection with the investor's permit.

  4. A comparatively low minimum physical presence requirement under the ARI framework.

  5. Potential future eligibility for permanent residence or Portuguese nationality, if the separate legal requirements are met at that time.

Is it for you

Who the Portugal Golden Visa suits

This route is well suited to investors who want a European Union residence permit with limited minimum stay requirements, and who are comfortable using a qualifying non-real-estate investment route.

Main applicant

  • A national of a country outside the EU, the EEA and Switzerland.
  • Able to make and maintain a qualifying investment from funds transferred into Portugal.
  • Able to document the lawful source and full transfer path of the investment capital.
  • Able to provide a clean criminal record from their country of nationality and residence.
  • Willing to meet the minimum presence requirement and to renew the permit on schedule.

Family members who can be included

Qualifying family members may apply for family reunification in connection with the investor's permit. The program generally accommodates:

Dependent adult children means unmarried students aged 18 to 25 who meet the relevant dependency requirements. Dependent parents must demonstrate qualifying dependency. Ages and dependency tests are set by the current rules, and we confirm exactly who in your family qualifies during your assessment.

  • Spouse or legally recognised partner.
  • Minor children.
  • Adult children who are unmarried, financially dependent and meet applicable educational requirements.
  • Eligible dependent parents of the main applicant or spouse.

Not the right fit

This program is not the right fit if you want to buy Portuguese property and receive residency for it. That route was removed and is no longer available to new applicants. It is also not the right fit if you need residency in a matter of weeks, because Portuguese processing is currently slow.

Investment

Approximate investment and costs

Qualifying investment routes

Qualifying fund units
from EUR 500,000 into qualifying non-real-estate investment or venture capital fund units.
Company investment
from EUR 500,000 into a qualifying company, with the statutory job conditions attached.
Scientific research
from EUR 500,000 into qualifying scientific research.
Arts and cultural heritage
from EUR 250,000 in qualifying support for artistic production or cultural heritage.

Other costs to budget for

Portuguese government processing and permit issuance fees, charged per applicant including each family member.
Renewal fees at each permit renewal.
Fund subscription, management and custody fees where you use a fund route.
Legal, tax and representation fees in Portugal.
Canreach professional fees, quoted separately after your assessment.

Figures as at October 2026 and confirmed with Canreach. Government requirements change; we confirm current figures before you commit.

Request program details

Outcome

What you receive

Status and documents

A temporary Portuguese Residence Permit for Investment Activity, issued as a residence card and renewed on the ARI schedule while the qualifying investment is maintained.

Travel

Visa-free circulation within the Schengen Area for the permit holder, in accordance with applicable Schengen rules. Travel rules are set by the countries you visit and can change.

Living, working and studying

The right to reside and work in Portugal while you comply with the ARI conditions, without any requirement to relocate full time from the outset.

Family

Family reunification for qualifying family members, processed in connection with the investor's permit, so your family can hold Portuguese residence alongside you.

Financial and business

A regulated European base and a qualifying investment held in Portuguese funds, companies, research or cultural projects. Investment performance is never guaranteed and is a separate decision from the immigration outcome.

Tax considerations

Holding an ARI permit does not by itself make you a Portuguese tax resident, and the minimum stay is low enough that many holders do not become tax resident. Tax treatment depends on your personal circumstances and where you are tax resident. We refer you to qualified tax advisors before you commit.

Path to permanent residence or citizenship

After the applicable legal period you may apply for permanent residence, and separately for Portuguese nationality. Both are separate applications with their own statutory requirements, including language and civics testing for nationality. Portugal changed its nationality law in 2026, and the qualifying residence period for most non-EU applicants is now 10 years. Nationality is applied for later and is never automatic, and we confirm the requirements that apply to your case before you apply.

Before you apply

What to know before you apply

  • Direct real estate purchase is no longer a qualifying new ARI investment. Any offer presenting Portuguese property as a route to the Golden Visa is out of date.
  • The qualifying investment generally must be maintained for as long as ARI renewal depends on it. This is not a short-term commitment.
  • Permanent residence and citizenship are separate applications with their own requirements. Neither is automatic, and neither is purchased through the investment.
  • Portuguese processing times are long and are affected by a national backlog. We give you a realistic timeline rather than a marketing one.
  • The investment carries ordinary investment risk. Immigration approval and investment performance are separate outcomes.

Step by step

How the application works

  1. Select your route

    We confirm a current statutory ARI route with you before you commit any funds.

  2. Set up in Portugal

    Obtain a Portuguese tax number (NIF) and put banking and representation arrangements in place.

  3. Make the investment

    Complete the qualifying investment and preserve the full source and transfer audit trail.

  4. Assemble the file

    Criminal records, passport, tax and social security evidence, and the investment certificates.

  5. Submit to AIMA

    File through the AIMA ARI portal and pay the applicable fees.

  6. Attend in person

    Attend AIMA with original documents and provide biometrics when scheduled.

  7. Receive your card

    Collect the residence card and maintain the qualifying investment.

  8. Meet the stay requirement and renew

    Satisfy the minimum physical presence requirement and renew the permit as required.

  9. Assess the long term

    After the applicable legal period, we assess permanent residence or nationality with you as a separate matter.

Government processing times change and vary by case. We confirm a current, realistic timeline with you at the assessment stage and keep you updated as your file moves.

Preparation

Documents and our pre-filing review

Documents we help you prepare

Passport; criminal record certificates; Portuguese tax number (NIF); tax and social security evidence; investment and transfer proof; investment maintenance declaration; family civil records; and the fund, company, research or cultural certificates that apply to your route.

Our pre-filing review

Before anything is filed we work through: nationality and residence history, family composition, criminal history, sanctions and politically exposed person screening, source and path of funds, tax advice, investment and project due diligence, translations and legalisation, current government fees, and holding and exit rules.

Questions

Portugal Golden Visa questions, answered

Can I still buy property in Portugal and get the Golden Visa?
No. Direct real estate purchase was removed as a qualifying ARI investment route and is not available to new applicants. The qualifying routes today are funds, company investment, scientific research, and arts and cultural heritage.
How many days a year do I need to spend in Portugal?
AIMA states at least 7 days in the first year, and 14 days in each subsequent two-year period, under the applicable framework. This is one of the lowest presence requirements among European residence programs.
Can my family be included?
Qualifying family members can apply for family reunification in connection with your permit. The program generally accommodates a spouse or legally recognised partner, minor children, adult children who are unmarried, financially dependent and meet applicable educational requirements, and eligible dependent parents of the main applicant or spouse. Dependent adult children means unmarried students aged 18 to 25 who meet the relevant dependency requirements, and dependent parents must demonstrate qualifying dependency. We confirm your family's position during the assessment.
Does the Golden Visa lead to a Portuguese passport?
It can lead to an application, not to an automatic grant. Portuguese nationality is a separate application made later, with its own statutory requirements, including language and civics testing. Following the 2026 change to Portuguese nationality law, the qualifying residence period for most non-EU applicants is 10 years. We confirm the requirements that apply to you before you plan around them.
Do I have to keep the investment?
Generally yes. The qualifying investment must be maintained for as long as your ARI renewal depends on it.
Will I pay tax in Portugal?
Not automatically. With a minimum stay measured in days, many permit holders do not become Portuguese tax residents. Your position depends on your personal circumstances and where you are tax resident, and we refer you to qualified tax advisors before you commit.

Official program source

The Portugal Golden Visa is administered by AIMA, the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum, under the ARI framework at Article 90-A. The official source is aima.gov.pt.

Canreach draws program information from the official program authority and confirms current rules, fees and qualifying amounts before any file is submitted.

Next step

Take the next step

Schedule a confidential program assessment. We will confirm whether the Portugal Golden Visa fits your goals, or point you to a program that fits better, and prepare a tailored roadmap covering eligibility, investment structure, documentation, the expected government process and next steps.

  • A confidential assessment of your goals, your family and your budget
  • A written comparison of the programs that fit
  • Clear estimates of costs and timelines before you commit to anything
Phone: 905-696-7434
Email: info@canreach.com