Initiated in 2012, the Golden Visa is a residence permit through investment activity known as ARI (Golden Visa)
This program is targeted for all non-European Union (EU) or
non-European Economic States citizens (EEA). It is one of the
most popular residency by investment programs in Europe
and in the world. By making an investment in Portugal,
you can obtain EU residency rights. This can lead
to Portuguese citizenship for you and your dependents.
Program comparison
Applicants'
requirements
of the golden visa program.
income.
in Portugal.
in the country every year.
Spouse of the main applicant legally married or in civil union.
Children, biological or adopted, of the main applicant or of the spouse, if under
the age of 18, disabled and dependent upon the main applicant or spouse.
Children, biological or adopted, of the main applicant or of the spouse aged 18 or
over, unmarried, enrolled in an educational establishment, and dependent on the
main applicant or spouse.
Dependent parents (over the age of 55) of either you or your spouse/partner. You
must provide documents proving their dependency unless they are older than 65.
Siblings under the age of 18 of either yourself or your spouse/partner. For siblings
to qualify as dependents, you or your partner must have legal custody of them.
Eligible investment options
Opt for one of the following contributions of capital
€500,000
For the acquisition of investment fund or venture capital fund units committed to the capitalization of companies incorporated under the Portuguese law, with maturity of at least five years and with at least 60% of the investment portfolio in companies with a registered office in the national territory (real estate entities do not apply)
€500,000 / €400,000 in a low population density area*
For research activities of public or private entities that are part of the national scientific and technological system
€250,000 / €200,000 in a low population density area*
In support of artistic production or in the recovery or maintenance of national cultural heritage
* A low population density area is defined as less than 100 inhabitants per km²
or with a GDP per capita below 75% of the national average.
Opt for one business creation route
€500,000
For the incorporation of a commercial company that is registered and headquartered in Portugal, creating a minimum of five permanent jobs for a period of three years
€500,000
As capital reinforcement of a company already incorporated and headquartered in Portugal, maintaining at least ten** jobs out of which five are permanent for at least three years
** Eight new jobs in a low population density area
Timelines & steps
Following itemized steps and timelines focus on the legal tasks. Investment selection shall be happening simultaneously
in conjunction with our advisor. Note these timelines can vary depending on the client.
& onboarding
Consultation with accredited and leading legal team. The relationship remains confidential.
You will be provided with a list of necessary documentation to be procured in your home country and respective timelines.
Legal team will provide you with Client Agreement (CA) for review and signature. If accepted you will be onboarded and retainer fees are paid.
is obtained
Your legal team will obtain the individual taxpayer number (NIF) on your
behalf via power of attorney.
A tax number is needed for any interaction with the Portuguese state such
as opening a bank account and buying investment units, or making an
appointment with a doctor.
document collection
A detailed checklist will be performed, and you will be guided through the
documents' collection stage. Experienced lawyers will prepare all the
required documents along with the residency application and will conduct a
final check of each document for compliance to ensure all requirements are
met. This is especially important to preempt any questions from banks'
compliance teams. We want to eliminate any unnecessary delays and
additional costs.
opening
Legal team submits all the necessary documentation to the chosen bank
and requests bank account opening on your behalf via power of attorney.
After approval, the bank issues an account number and a contract for
banking services. The bank account is opened.
completion
Complete your required investment in close consultation with your
allocated consultant. Due diligence is performed, documentation is
reviewed and signed once the investment vehicle has been selected. The
investor transfers funds to his or her account in Portugal. Legal team
provides support along the process. Investment requirements are fulfilled.
submission
Legal team collects all of the documents and submits an application for the
Portuguese Golden Residence Permit on your behalf. Residency processing
fees are paid by the investor to Immigration Services.
Portugal
After analyzing your Golden Visa pre-application - and assuming
everything is in order - AIMA will require you to schedule a biometrics
appointment. The main applicant and the family (including babies but note
that dependants' applications may be submitted at a later date) will be
invited to present in person biometric data. This screening includes
fingerprinting, taking your photo, and obtaining your signature. Your legal
team will coordinate the dates of the in person meetings and support you
along the process.
and Visa granted
Upon initial approval, your residence permit will be valid for 1 year. Within
this one-year time period, you will be required to spend a minimum
of 7 days in Portugal.
renewal
Once the initial validity period of your Golden Visa Programme ends, legal
team will assist you in the renewal process. You will be expected to pay legal
and government fees. This ensures that you continue to meet the eligibility
requirements for an additional two-year extension. Your renewed Golden
Visa residence permit will be valid for two years. During these two years,
you must spend a minimum of 14 days in Portugal. You will be guided and
supported throughout the process.
renewal
This marks the second renewal of the visa. You will be expected to pay
government fees. This ensures that you continue to meet the eligibility
requirements for an additional two-year extension. During these two
years, you must spend a minimum of 14 days in Portugal. You will be guided
and supported throughout the process.
granted or citizenship
application
In year 5 of the Portugal Golden Visa Programme, you become eligible for
permanent residency or citizenship. You can take advantage of long-term
residency or nationality options in Portugal with various benefits.
& onboarding
Consultation with accredited and leading legal team. The relationship remains confidential.
You will be provided with a list of necessary documentation to be procured in your home country and respective timelines.
Legal team will provide you with Client Agreement (CA) for review and signature. If accepted you will be onboarded and retainer fees are paid.
is obtained
Your legal team will obtain the individual taxpayer number (NIF) on your
behalf via power of attorney.
A tax number is needed for any interaction with the Portuguese state such
as opening a bank account and buying investment units, or making an
appointment with a doctor.
document collection
A detailed checklist will be performed, and you will be guided through the
documents' collection stage. Experienced lawyers will prepare all the
required documents along with the residency application and will conduct a
final check of each document for compliance to ensure all requirements are
met. This is especially important to preempt any questions from banks'
compliance teams. We want to eliminate any unnecessary delays and
additional costs.
opening
Legal team submits all the necessary documentation to the chosen bank
and requests bank account opening on your behalf via power of attorney.
After approval, the bank issues an account number and a contract for
banking services. The bank account is opened.
completion
Complete your required investment in close consultation with your
allocated consultant. Due diligence is performed, documentation is
reviewed and signed once the investment vehicle has been selected. The
investor transfers funds to his or her account in Portugal. Legal team
provides support along the process. Investment requirements are fulfilled.
submission
Legal team collects all of the documents and submits an application for the
Portuguese Golden Residence Permit on your behalf. Residency processing
fees are paid by the investor to Immigration Services.
Portugal
After analyzing your Golden Visa pre-application - and assuming
everything is in order - AIMA will require you to schedule a biometrics
appointment. The main applicant and the family (including babies but note
that dependants' applications may be submitted at a later date) will be
invited to present in person biometric data. This screening includes
fingerprinting, taking your photo, and obtaining your signature. Your legal
team will coordinate the dates of the in person meetings and support you
along the process.
and Visa granted
Upon initial approval, your residence permit will be valid for 1 year. Within
this one-year time period, you will be required to spend a minimum
of 7 days in Portugal.
renewal
Once the initial validity period of your Golden Visa Programme ends, legal
team will assist you in the renewal process. You will be expected to pay legal
and government fees. This ensures that you continue to meet the eligibility
requirements for an additional two-year extension. Your renewed Golden
Visa residence permit will be valid for two years. During these two years,
you must spend a minimum of 14 days in Portugal. You will be guided and
supported throughout the process.
renewal
This marks the second renewal of the visa. You will be expected to pay
government fees. This ensures that you continue to meet the eligibility
requirements for an additional two-year extension. During these two
years, you must spend a minimum of 14 days in Portugal. You will be guided
and supported throughout the process.
granted or citizenship
application
In year 5 of the Portugal Golden Visa Programme, you become eligible for
permanent residency or citizenship. You can take advantage of long-term
residency or nationality options in Portugal with various benefits.
Required documents
You will know exactly what documents to get and when.
Documents required for the fiscal number and bank account opening: (translated when applicable)
- Valid passport main page.
- Proof of address, such as a utility bill, an invoice, driver’s license, bank statement, or any other document that has the full name and address of the respective main applicant.
- Proof of employment such as letter from the employer (signed and stamped) or payslips, in case of employed persons; in case of self-employed persons, can be an excerpt of the commercial register or equivalent public certificate, or other proof of services provided.
- Tax identification number from the country of residence/origin (or similar, when such a number does not exist).
- Tax return (at least last year).
Main applicant: (all documents must be apostilled in country of issuance, apart from the passport)
- Valid passport main page.
- Criminal record certificate apostilled in the country of issuance.
- Proof of taxpayer number from the country of origin, country of residence or country of tax residence (if possible).
- Married couples need to provide the following if they apply for the visa together: (all documents must be apostilled in country of issuance apart from the passport)
- Original excerpt of marriage record or certified copy of marriage certificates with official Portuguese or English translation.
- Certified copy of the divorce certificate with official Portuguese or English translation and apostilled in the country of issuance (if applicable).
Children need to provide the following: (all documents must be apostilled in country of issuance apart from the passport)
- Valid passport main page.
- A certified copy of the child’s birth certificate, with an official Portuguese or English translation if the original is in another language.
By means of an Apostille if the documents are issued from a country that belongs to the Den Hague Convention, or by having the documents attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Portuguese Embassy or Consulate in the country of issuance.
- A Portuguese tax identification number.
- Certificate of no debts from the Portuguese tax and national insurance offices.
- Declaration from your bank in Portugal confirming transferred funds.
- Evidence that the minimum investment has been made (this consists of a certificate issued by the appropriate registry office and, where applicable, a letter from a local bank confirming the transfer of the required funds).
- Proof of valid health insurance in Portugal.
- Documents showcasing good standing with the Portuguese Tax and Customs Authority and Social Security system. These documents can be issued no more than 45 days prior to your application.
- Receipt of paid Golden Visa processing fees to the immigration office.
Additional information
After holding the temporary residency status in Portugal for at least five years, applicants can apply for citizenship via naturalization. Requirements for naturalization include being at least 18 years of age, demonstrate a basic understanding (A2 level) of the Portuguese language, can demonstrate successful integration, and have not been convicted for a crime that corresponds to a penalty to or more than three years according to Portuguese law.
At any time upon or after your application, you may apply for the following family members:
- Spouse or partner, the quality of partner having to be proved under existing law.
- Under-18-year-old children, dependent incapable children, or over-18 dependent children who are under 25, unmarried and enrolled as full-time students.
- Dependent parents of either spouse or partner, who, if under 65, have to obtain a certificate of no income from the tax administration of their country of residence.
- Under-18-year-old siblings of either spouse or partner if legally under their supervision.
Under this programme there are no maximum stay requirements, but you are required to spend at least 14 days in Portugal during the first 2 years of your initial investment. It is not necessary for this time to be consecutive. Following the first year, the minimum stay requirement increases 14 days for each subsequent 2-year period. Again, this does not have to be consecutive.
The Portuguese border agency may require evidence that you complied with these minimum stay requirements when you apply for the visa renewals. This can be in the form of passport stamps, flight tickets and proof of lodging (but note that your passport will not normally be stamped when you travel between Portugal and another Schengen Space country).
Your right to permanent residency or citizenship after 5 years is not affected by how long you actually stayed in the country under this investment visa program, as long as you comply with the minimum stay requirements.
As a resident of Portugal under the Golden Visa Portugal program, you will be entitled to access at least the following with no need for any special authorization:
- Education and professional training
- Official recognition of education diplomas and professional qualifications
- A professional activity, as an employee or as an independent professional
- Access to healthcare
- Social security benefits, tax concessions and trade union protection
- Protection under the law and the courts of law
Government costs
and renewal application, a residence permit initial issue fee per holder
and a permit renewal fee at each renewal. Such fees are as follows:
by the main applicant and of €605,10 by each
additional family member, which must be paid
prior to the submission of the Golden Visa
application. This fee is also incurred
at each renewal.
payable once the application is approved.
to €3.022,6 per applicant. This fee applies to
main applicant and all family members. It will be
paid twice during the duration of the program.
Professional and other fees
initial application, renewals, permanent residency
application and citizenship application.
have Portugal-source income that is not subject to
autonomous tax withheld at source.
a company, if you choose to set up or buy a business.
Portuguese Golden Visa
law updates
investment activities to Creation of at least 10 jobs, Investment Funds, Scientific
Research, Arts & Culture, and Commercial Company creating at least 5 jobs only.
The aforementioned investment activities cannot aim directly or indirectly
at real estate investments.