European Residency with Minimal Stay Requirements
A flexible residence-by-investment route for international investors and families seeking European optionality without immediate relocation.
Talk to an AdvisorBENEFITS
Designed for International Families Who Want Options, Not Obligations
The Portugal Golden Visa is designed for investors and families who want to build a European option without relocating full-time or reorganising their lives around it.
Keep your main life abroad
Maintain your primary home, work and lifestyle outside Portugal while meeting the programme’s minimum stay requirements.
Build a European plan B
Create long-term geographic flexibility and a pathway to Portuguese residence without immediate relocation.
Include your family in the plan
Spouses or partners, children and eligible dependent parents can be included, subject to the applicable requirements.
Travel across the Schengen Area
Use Portuguese residence rights to travel visa-free for short stays across the Schengen Area.
Choose from qualifying investment routes
Access the Golden Visa through qualifying funds, research, cultural support or business and job-creation routes.
Plan beyond the Golden Visa
Connect today’s residence strategy with future permanent residence and, where eligible, Portuguese citizenship.
FAMILY INCLUSION
Include What Matters Most
For many investors, the Golden Visa is a family strategy as much as a residence strategy. Eligible relatives can be included in the same planning framework, subject to the applicable relationship, dependency and documentation requirements.
Spouse or Partner
Spouse or eligible de facto partner
Children
Minor children and eligible dependent adult children
Parents
Eligible dependent parents of the applicant or spouse
Minor Siblings
In specific cases, when under the applicant’s legal guardianship
Portugal recognises different family structures, including same-sex spouses and eligible partners. Final eligibility is assessed according to the applicable legal and documentary requirements.
Learn more about family inclusion
REQUIREMENTS
What You Need Before You Apply
Before starting the Portugal Golden Visa process, investors should confirm a few core eligibility, investment and documentation requirements. The essentials can be summarised in six points.
ELIGIBILITY
Applicant profile
Non-EU, non-EEA and non-Swiss citizens aged 18 or over can apply.
Family inclusion
Eligible spouses or partners, dependent children and dependent parents may be included.
Background checks
Applicants must meet the applicable criminal-record and Schengen immigration requirements.
INVESTMENT & DOCUMENTATION
Qualifying investment
Complete an eligible Golden Visa route from €250,000 and demonstrate the lawful origin of funds.
Portuguese setup
Obtain a Portuguese Tax Number (NIF) and open a Portuguese bank account before completing the investment.
Supporting documents
Prepare the required identity, civil-status, criminal-record, banking and investment evidence, with legalisation and translation where required.
Exact requirements vary by applicant, family composition and investment route. Final eligibility and supporting documents should be confirmed with the Portuguese legal professionals coordinating the application.
THE PROCESS
Simple. Transparent. Structured.
A structured journey from initial strategy and investment preparation through AIMA submission, biometrics and the first residence permit. The preparation stages can move relatively quickly; AIMA scheduling and processing remain the most variable part of the timeline.
Strategy & Family Mapping
Confirm eligibility, family inclusion, objectives and the most appropriate qualifying route before capital is committed.
Portuguese Tax Number (NIF), Banking & Investment Preparation
Establish the Portuguese tax and banking foundations, complete investment due diligence and prepare the transfer structure.
Investment & Document Completion
Complete the qualifying investment and coordinate criminal records, civil documents, legalisations, translations and supporting evidence.
Legal Review & Immigration Authority (AIMA) Submission
Portuguese legal partners review the application file and coordinate submission through the Golden Visa (ARI) process once the dossier is complete.
AIMA Review & Biometrics
AIMA reviews the file and schedules the applicant for biometrics. This is currently the least predictable stage and can vary significantly by case and appointment availability.
Approval & First Residence Card
Following biometrics and final processing, the residence permit is approved and issued. The investor then moves into the residence, stay and renewal cycle.
Indicative end-to-end planning range
From initial preparation to the first residence card, a prudent 2026 planning assumption is roughly 12-24 months. This is not an AIMA service-level commitment or guaranteed processing time.
Timings are indicative planning ranges only. AIMA does not publish a guaranteed end-to-end ARI processing time. Appointment availability, document validity, source-of-funds review, family complexity and public-authority processing can materially affect an individual case.
READY TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP?
Ready to Structure Your Golden Visa Strategy?
Talk to an advisor about your investment route, family and next steps – or estimate the costs of your plan before moving forward.
INVESTMENT OPTIONS
Explore the Routes Available Under Portugal’s Golden Visa
Portugal offers different qualifying routes, each with its own capital requirements, structure and long-term considerations.
Explore Investment Funds
From €500K
Investment Funds
Subscription into qualifying Portuguese investment funds. Fund selection should consider governance, strategy, risk and long-term suitability.
Learn more →
From €500K
Scientific Research
Capital directed toward qualifying scientific or technological research activities carried out through eligible Portuguese institutions.
Qualifying routes
Business & Job Creation
Eligible structures can include qualifying job creation or company capitalisation, subject to the applicable legal requirements.
From €250K
Arts & Cultural Heritage
Eligible structures can include qualifying cultural or heritage support routes, subject to the applicable legal requirements.
ESTIMATE YOUR INVESTMENT
How Much Could Your Portugal Golden Visa Cost?
Every investment plan is unique. Get a personalised cost estimate based on your chosen route, family size and requirements.
Tailored to Your Situation
We factor in your investment route, family composition and key considerations.
Key Costs Considered
Includes government fees, legal costs, renewals and other essential expenses.
Clear 5-Year Overview
Receive a detailed report to help you plan with confidence.
100% Free and without obligation.
AFTER THE GOLDEN VISA
A Path Beyond the Golden Visa
The Golden Visa can be the first stage of a longer-term Portugal strategy. After the required period of legal residence, investors may consider permanent residence or, when eligible, Portuguese citizenship – each with its own requirements and consequences.
STAGE 1
Golden Visa
Years 0-5+Maintain the qualifying investment, valid residence status and applicable minimum stays while relying on the ARI route.
POTENTIAL NEXT STEP
Permanent Residence
From 5 yearsAvailable to eligible ARI holders who have held temporary residence for at least five years and meet the permanent-residence requirements.
POTENTIAL NEXT STEP
Portuguese Citizenship
7 or 10 years*A separate naturalisation route subject to the nationality rules and eligibility requirements in force at the time of application.
PERMANENT RESIDENCE
A more independent residence status
ARI holders may apply after at least 5 years of temporary residence, provided they satisfy the conditions applicable to permanent residence.
Key requirements include
- Basic knowledge of Portuguese
- Sufficient means of subsistence
- Proof of residence in Portugal
- Tax and Social Security compliance
- Applicable criminal-record requirements
Once a separate permanent-residence status is granted, the ARI investment is no longer the basis of the residence status. The permanent residence itself has no fixed end date, although the residence card is renewed every five years.
PORTUGUESE CITIZENSHIP
From residence to nationality
Under the nationality rules effective from 19 May 2026, naturalisation generally requires 7 years of legal residence for nationals of Portuguese-speaking countries and 10 years for nationals of other countries.
Key requirements include
- Required period of legal residence
- Portuguese language, culture, history and civic knowledge
- Compliance with criminal and security requirements
- Ability to support yourself
- Formal adherence to Portugal’s democratic principles
Citizenship is no longer a residence permit. Once Portuguese nationality is acquired, the person no longer depends on ARI renewals or on maintaining the Golden Visa investment for immigration status.
*Current nationality rules distinguish between nationals of Portuguese-speaking countries and other nationalities. Permanent residence and citizenship are separate applications and are not automatic outcomes of the Golden Visa. Immigration and nationality rules may change, so eligibility should be reviewed against the law in force when applying.
FREE RESOURCE
The Ultimate Portugal Golden Visa Guide 2026
A practical guide to planning your Portugal Golden Visa journey. Understand the qualifying routes, application process, family considerations and long-term planning opportunities.
- Step-by-step application journey
- Investment routes and requirements
- Family inclusion and long-term planning
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WHY FAMILIES CHOOSE THE BLUE PORTUGAL
Why Families Choose The Blue Portugal
We combine local expertise with international standards to deliver a smooth, secure and personalised Golden Visa experience for your family.
End-to-End Guidance
We manage every step of the journey from start to finish.
Investment-Led Planning
Tailored strategies aligned with your goals and risk profile.
Legal Coordination
Trusted legal partners ensuring accuracy and compliance.
Long-Term Strategy
We focus on your family’s future, not just today’s application.
Institutional & Media Presence
A growing external footprint across Portuguese institutions, international media and specialist platforms.
Trusted by International Families
Here’s what our clients say about their experience with The Blue Portugal.
“The Blue Portugal made the entire Golden Visa process clear and stress-free. Their team was responsive, knowledgeable, and truly cared about our family’s future.”
“Professional, transparent, and reliable. They guided us every step of the way and helped us choose the right investment for our goals.”
“Thanks to The Blue Portugal, we now have peace of mind and a plan for our children’s future in Europe.”
Frequently Asked Questions
The Portugal Golden Visa is available to eligible non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals who complete a qualifying investment and meet the applicable legal and documentation requirements. The programme is designed for investors who want Portuguese residence without the need to relocate full-time.
Golden Visa holders must spend at least 7 days in Portugal during the first year and at least 14 days, consecutive or non-consecutive, during each subsequent two-year period. This low physical-stay requirement allows many investors to maintain their primary home and professional life abroad.
Eligible family members may include a spouse or qualifying de facto partner, minor children, eligible dependent adult children who are unmarried and studying, dependent parents of the applicant or spouse, and minor siblings where they are legally under the applicant’s guardianship. Eligibility and documentation should be reviewed for each family member individually.
Current routes include qualifying non-real-estate collective investment funds or undertakings, scientific research, investment or support for arts and cultural heritage, creation of at least 10 jobs, and qualifying investment in a Portuguese company linked to employment requirements. Base capital thresholds include €500,000 for funds, research and the qualifying company-investment route, and €250,000 for arts and cultural heritage, subject to the specific legal conditions applicable to each route.
No. Real estate acquisition is no longer an eligible route for new Portugal Golden Visa applications. Investors may still purchase property in Portugal separately, but the property purchase itself does not qualify as a Golden Visa investment.
No full-time relocation is required, and holding a Golden Visa does not automatically make you a Portuguese tax resident. Tax residency is determined separately and can arise, for example, if you spend more than 183 days in Portugal within the relevant 12-month period or maintain a home in Portugal in circumstances indicating that it is intended to be your habitual residence. Individual tax circumstances should be reviewed separately.
Under the current framework, the qualifying investment activity must generally be maintained for a minimum of five years, counted from the date the residence permit is granted. The investment structure and any planned exit should be reviewed carefully in light of the Golden Visa requirements and the terms of the specific investment.
After holding temporary residence for at least five years, a Golden Visa holder may be eligible to apply for permanent residence. Additional requirements apply, including basic knowledge of Portuguese, sufficient means of subsistence, accommodation and the applicable criminal-record conditions. Permanent residence is therefore a potential next step rather than an automatic outcome.
Under the Portuguese Nationality Law currently in force, naturalisation generally requires at least 7 years of legal residence for nationals of Portuguese-speaking countries and 10 years for nationals of other countries, together with the other nationality requirements in force at the time of application. Different rules may apply to nationality procedures that were already pending when the law changed on 19 May 2026.