Portugal golden visa 2026: Complete guide

The Portugal Golden Visa program lets investors from outside the EU live in Europe through Portugal residency by investment. Donations to cultural heritage sites in low-density areas can start at €250,000. The program no longer offers any real estate options for the Portuguese Golden Visa.

The most common way to qualify now is to subscribe to a Golden Visa investment fund for €500,000. The Agency for Integration, Migration, and Asylum (AIMA) is responsible for all residency applications.

What is the Golden Visa for Portugal?

The Golden Visa Portugal program gives residency permits to non-EU investors who meet certain requirements. You don't have to work in Portugal to get this investor visa, unlike other work visas. The most important thing is to keep your qualifying investment for at least five years.

Venture capital funds, donations to cultural heritage sites, and contributions to scientific research are all examples of qualifying investments. The Golden Visa program in Portugal also lets people start a business and create jobs. Direct real estate purchases are no longer allowed under the Portugal Golden Visa new rules since October 2023.

Portugal Golden Visa Requirements: Who Can Apply?

You need to meet certain Portugal Golden Visa requirements in order to apply for this residency permit. The requirements for obtaining a Golden Visa ensure that applicants will have a positive impact on Portugal's economy.

Basic Needs

• Nationality: Only people who are not citizens of the EU, EEA, or Switzerland can apply
• Age: People who want to apply must be at least 18 years old when they do so
• Criminal Record: You need to have a clean record in both your home country and Portugal
• Investment: To qualify, you need at least €250,000 in cultural funds or a €500,000 investment fund
• Maintenance: The investment must be kept for at least five years in a row
• Stay Requirement: 7 days in the first year, then 14 days every two years

Family Inclusion

The Portugal Golden Visa family reunification rules are still very helpful for applicants. You can include in your application:

• Partner or spouse who is registered
• Kids who are not yet 18 years old
• Adult children who are still dependent on their parents (students up to 26)
• Spouses who are dependent on their partners

Legislative Watch: The countdown for the Portuguese Nationality Law starts when you send in your application. When AIMA gets your complete file, the five-year citizenship clock starts.

** This may change in the near future, with laws currently going through the system that will start the clock ticking once AIMA has approved the application, not upon its submission.

How to Get Portugal's Golden Visa?

Knowing how to apply step by step makes sure that your file is complete and correct.

Step 1: Get Your NIF and Open a Bank Account

Get your Portuguese tax number and open a bank account in Portugal. This shows that you are serious about your finances and allows you to secure the necessary funds or transfer capital.

Having a local bank account shows that you are integrated into the Portuguese financial system. Before you can open an account at many banks, you need to give them your NIF number. This makes it hard for many international applicants to keep their documents in order. Not all banks are acceptable for this transfer; ask us about which banks are suitable.

Step 2: Make Your Qualifying Investment

. To sign up for a fund, you need to sign the contract and send in the minimum amount of €500,000. Get official proof from your fund manager that your investment has been completed.

Important: You must complete your qualifying investment before you can submit your application.

Step 3: Gather Required Documentation

Carefully assemble your entire application file, including all required supporting documents. Follow the rules of the Hague Convention and apostille every government-issued foreign document. You don't need apostilles for private papers like health insurance policies.

Step 4: Submit Application to AIMA

Fill out AIMA's online application form with your personal information and scanned copies of your documents. Pay the initial processing fee of about €605 per person to submit. This application submission date marks the official start of your five-year countdown to citizenship.

Step 5: Attend Biometrics Appointment

After AIMA approves your application, schedule an in-person meeting in Portugal. This includes taking your fingerprints and photos, and confirming your identity for your residence card.

Step 6: Receive Your Residence Permit Card

Your first Golden Visa residence permit is good for two years. During this time, you must spend a total of 14 days in Portugal.

Required Golden Visa Documents

You need to send AIMA a full application file so they can process it. If an applicant doesn't have all the paperwork, they will be rejected right away or their application will take longer to process. Knowing what documents you need will help you avoid expensive delays in your application process.

Required Documents

• Valid Passport: The passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the planned entry date.
• NIF Document: This is your tax identification number that proves you are registered with the Portuguese government.
• Proof of Investment: A declaration from the fund manager that the subscription and capital transfer are complete.
• Bank Statement: A confirmation from a Portuguese bank that money was sent from outside Portugal.
• Criminal Record Certificate: A recent background check from the country where you live. Must be sent within 90 days of the date you submitted your application.
• Health Insurance: You need to have valid coverage that covers at least €30,000 in repatriation costs. Must cover the entire Schengen area for the duration of your stay.
• Sworn Declaration: A statement that you will keep your investment for the required five years.
• Tax and Social Security Clearance: Papers that prove you are in good standing with the Portuguese government. Must be given out within 45 days of the date you sent in your application.

Portugal Golden Visa: Tips to Prepare

Getting ready properly greatly increases your chances of having your application processed smoothly. These tips from people who have been there can help you avoid common mistakes that slow down applications.

Tip 1: Start Your NIF Process Early

It takes 7 to 14 business days to get your tax number from the government. Start this process right away so that your whole application timeline doesn't get stuck. Professional NIF service speeds up this important first step for applicants.

Tip 2: Choose Your Fund Carefully

Not all funds registered with the CMVM are suitable for Golden Visa investment fund investors. Look into past performance, sector focus, fee structures, and research fund managers' track records. Management fees are usually 1.5% to 2% a year, and performance fees are 15% to 20%.

Tip 3: Document Source of Funds Thoroughly

AIMA needs clear proof that the funds for investments come from outside Portugal. Bank statements that show the international transfer chain stop source-of-funds problems during processing.

Tip 4: Plan Your Minimum Stay Strategy

The 7-day requirement for the first year and the 14-day requirement for the next year are both totals. You can split visits up as needed during the validity period to give yourself more options. Keep your boarding passes and entry/exit stamps as proof of your stays.

Tip 5: Engage Professional Legal Support

There are some details in Portuguese immigration law that general information can't fully explain. Visas.pt offers consultation services to help you get approved easily, with personalized advice tailored to your needs.

Portugal Golden Visa Investment Funds

You need to evaluate carefully before choosing the right Golden Visa investment fund. Fund strategies, risk profiles, management fees, and sector focus vary significantly across options. We give you unbiased advice so you can compare CMVM-regulated funds fairly.

Visas.pt will help you with every step of your investment fund application. We help you fully understand fund details, fee structures, and compliance requirements.

Conclusion

Immigration requirements can change, so staying informed is important for applicants. Getting help from a professional makes sure that your application is complete and correct all the way through.

Contact visas.pt today for a free initial consultation.