The Portugal Golden Visa, explained plainly
What the residence permit for investment (ARI) asks for after the 2023 reform, which investments still qualify, what the whole budget looks like, who in the family is covered, how long AIMA really takes and what the new nationality law means for a Portuguese passport. Every rule is linked to an official Portuguese source.
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Portugal Golden Visa in 2026: The Complete Guide
How the Portugal Golden Visa works in 2026: what was removed in 2023, the €500,000 fund route and the other options, the 7-day stay rule, family, the AIMA queue, the new 10-year path to citizenship and who the programme still suits.
Portugal Golden Visa Costs in 2026: Investment Options and the Real Budget
How much the Portugal Golden Visa costs in 2026: the €500,000 fund route and its conditions, research, culture from €250,000 and job creation, plus state fees, fund fees, documents and insurance that come on top.
Portugal Golden Visa Application in 2026: Steps, Documents and AIMA Timelines
How to apply for the Portugal Golden Visa in 2026: the NIF and bank account, the investment, pre-registration on the ARI portal, the AIMA document list, biometrics, the first card and what the queue means for your plans.
Portugal Golden Visa for Families: Spouse, Children and Parents in 2026
Who can join a Portugal Golden Visa application in 2026: spouse or partner, children under 18, dependent students up to 25, dependent parents of both spouses, how family reunification works with AIMA and which documents each person needs.
Portugal or Greece Golden Visa in 2026: Funds or Property?
Portugal or Greece Golden Visa in 2026: €500,000 in a fund against €250,000 to €800,000 in property, the stay rules, how long each takes, the path to citizenship and which programme suits which family.
Keeping the Portugal Golden Visa: Renewals, Taxes and the Road to Citizenship
How to keep the Portugal Golden Visa in 2026: renewals, the 7 and 14 day rule, holding the investment, permanent residence after 5 years, tax residency and the end of NHR, and Portuguese citizenship after 10 years under Organic Law 1/2026.
The Portugal Golden Visa, the Greece Golden Visa and Portuguese naturalisation
| Portugal Golden Visa (ARI) | Greece Golden Visa | Portuguese naturalisation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Investment | €500,000 in fund units, research or a company with jobs; €250,000 for culture | €250,000, €400,000 or €800,000 in property, depending on the property and the zone | Not required |
| Real estate | Does not qualify since October 2023 | The core of the programme | Not relevant |
| Schengen travel without a visa | Yes, up to 90 days in any 180 | Yes, up to 90 days in any 180 | As an EU citizen |
| Presence | 7 days in the first year, then 14 days per two-year period | Not required | 10 years of legal residence (7 for EU and CPLP nationals) |
| Card | 2 years at first, then renewals while the investment is kept | 5 years, renewed while the property is kept | Passport |
| Language | Not required for the permit | Not required for the permit | Portuguese language and culture test |
Compiled from the AIMA page on the residence permit for investment (Art. 90-A), Organic Law 1/2026 published in the Diário da República and the BRIDGES pages on the Portugal Golden Visa and the Greece Golden Visa, checked October 2026. See the full comparison with Greece.
Frequently asked questions
Can I still get the Portugal Golden Visa by buying property?
No. Since October 2023, after the housing law known as Mais Habitação, buying real estate no longer qualifies, and AIMA states that the investment cannot be aimed, directly or indirectly, at real estate. Capital transfers to a bank deposit were removed at the same time.
How much do I need to invest?
Most investors put at least €500,000 into units of Portuguese investment funds that do not invest in real estate, have a maturity of at least five years and place at least 60% of their investments in companies based in Portugal. Other routes are €500,000 for scientific research, €250,000 for artistic production or cultural heritage (less in low-density areas), creating ten jobs, or €500,000 in a company with five permanent jobs.
How long do I have to stay in Portugal?
At least 7 days in the first year and at least 14 days in each following two-year period. This is one of the lightest presence rules in Europe.
How long does it take to get the card?
BRIDGES quotes 6 to 18 months on its programme page, depending on the AIMA workload. Its October 2026 analysis is less optimistic: the minister reported 46,000 Golden Visa applications in the queue, and surveys put the average wait on cases closed in the second quarter of 2026 at 50.4 months.
When can I apply for Portuguese citizenship?
Under Organic Law 1/2026, in force since 19 May 2026, nationals of countries outside the EU and the Portuguese-speaking community need 10 years of legal residence, and EU and CPLP nationals 7 years. Applications filed before that date follow the old 5-year rule.