The stay requirement
- First year: at least 7 days in Portugal
- After that: at least 14 days every two years
That averages about 7 days a year, with no need to move, and visa-free travel across the Schengen Area.
From residence to permanent residence and citizenship
- After five years of residence: apply for permanent residence.
- Citizenship: under the new nationality law in force from May 2026, most applicants need ten years of legal residence, counted from the issue of the residence card.
The current investment route
The real estate route has been abolished; the main route is now EUR 500,000 in a qualifying investment fund, held for at least five years.
Processing time
Portugal’s immigration agency (AIMA) has a large backlog; it usually takes 18 to 24 months or more, so allow time.