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European investment residence
Portugal Golden Visa (Fund Investment)
Obtain Portuguese residence through a qualifying fund investment, with minimal stay requirements and free travel across the Schengen Area.
Reviewed by Oscar Yip · Updated October 2026
Programme overview
The Portugal Golden Visa (ARI) lets non-EU nationals obtain a residence permit through a qualifying investment. The real estate route has been abolished; the main route now is EUR 500,000 in a qualifying investment fund. The fund must be regulated under Portuguese law, have a term of at least five years, invest at least 60% in Portuguese companies and exclude real estate. Holders keep their residence with only short stays each year.
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InvestmentFrom EUR 200,000
Stay requirement7 days in the first year, then 14 days every two years
TravelVisa-free across the Schengen Area
FamilySpouse, dependent children and parents
Summary
The main Portugal Golden Visa route is an investment of EUR 500,000 in a qualifying investment fund, held for at least five years. You need only spend an average of about seven days a year in Portugal, and can travel freely across the Schengen Area. After five years you can apply for permanent residence; under the new nationality law in force from May 2026, citizenship generally requires ten years of legal residence.
Key benefits of Portugal Golden Visa
- About seven days a year, no relocationSpend 7 days in Portugal in the first year, then 14 days in each two-year period after that, in one stay or several.
- Visa-free Schengen travelThe residence card lets you stay in other Schengen countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
- Three generations in one applicationCovers your spouse, minor children, dependent adult children in full-time study, and dependent parents of you or your spouse.
- No two-year wait for familySince the 2025 reform, most residents must hold a permit for two years before family reunification; Golden Visa holders' families are exempt.
- Live, work and study in PortugalCard holders may live in Portugal, take up employment or run a business, and children can attend school there.
- No language, education or business testThe Golden Visa itself has no language, education or management-experience requirement.
- No property to buy or business to runThe main route is a qualifying fund regulated under Portuguese law, managed by the fund manager.
- Permanent residence after five yearsAfter five years on the card, with A2 Portuguese and other conditions met, you can apply for permanent or EU long-term residence.
- Citizenship later, dual nationality allowedUnder the nationality law in force from May 2026, citizenship generally needs ten years' legal residence; Portugal allows dual nationality.
Why Global Immigrate for Portugal Golden Visa
- families approved
- 25+
- approval rate
- 100%
- offering this programme since
- 2018
GI Group overseas property team
GI Group’s overseas property team helps you find, negotiate and buy — and later manage lettings.
Clear, transparent fees
All service fees and third-party costs are set out in writing before you sign — no hidden charges — and our refund terms are explained clearly.
Planning beyond immigration
GI Group’s teams can handle pre-immigration tax, asset allocation, your children’s education and overseas property at the same time, so the arrangements never conflict.
Requirements
Investment options
Choose one of the following options; the other requirements are listed below.
- Option 1EUR 250,000Arts and cultural heritage
- EUR 200,000 in low-density areas
- Option 2EUR 500,000Qualifying investment fund
- Regulated under Portuguese law, with a term of at least 5 years
- At least 60% invested in Portuguese companies, no real estate
- Option 3EUR 500,000Scientific research
- EUR 400,000 in low-density areas
- Option 4EUR 500,000Investment in a Portuguese company
- Creating 5 jobs
- Option 5Creating 10 jobs
Applicants generally need to meet the following:
- The investment held for at least five years
- No criminal record
- At least 7 days in Portugal in the first year, then at least 14 days every two years
Our three guarantees
Full service-fee refund if refused
Guaranteed in your service agreement: if your application is refused, we refund the service fees you have paid in full — or you can switch to another suitable programme at no extra charge.
No extra charge for further documents or resubmission
If the authorities request further documents, or an application must be resubmitted, we handle it at no additional service fee.
Handled by professionals, fee fixed at signing
Every application is prepared and reviewed by our professional immigration team. Your service fee is fixed when you sign, with no additional charges afterwards.
Service fees exclude investment amounts, government fees and third-party costs. Refusals caused by false or incomplete information, or by the applicant not cooperating as required, are not eligible for a refund. Full terms are set out in the service agreement.
Free Portugal Golden Visa brochure
Covers the requirements, process and timeline, a fee overview and FAQs. Leave your details and we’ll send it to you.
Thank you — the brochure is on its way to your inbox
If you can’t see it, please check your spam folder. A consultant may also contact you to answer any questions about the programme.
Application process
- Assessment and fund selection2–4 weeksWe assess your eligibility and compare qualifying funds.
- Accounts and investment1–2 monthsObtain a tax number, open a bank account and complete the investment.
- ApplicationPer schedulingApply online and attend biometrics.
- Residence cardUsually about 1.5–3 yearsAIMA has a large backlog, so processing takes longer. Once approved, collect your residence card and renew it on schedule.
Pathway to PR and citizenship
- Golden Visa residence cardUsually about 1.5–3 years
Portuguese residence cards for you and your family, with free travel in the Schengen Area.
While on this status7 days in Portugal in the first year, then 14 days every two years; keep the fund investment
- Permanent residenceAfter 5 years with the residence card
Apply for Portuguese permanent residence, with Portuguese at A2, stable income and accommodation, and no serious criminal record; or EU long-term residence (no single absence over 6 consecutive months and no more than 10 months in total over the 5 years).
Keeping permanent statusThe permanent residence card is renewed every 5 years; you may lose it if you are away from Portugal for more than 24 months in a row, or more than 30 months in total within 3 years
- Portuguese citizenshipThe new nationality law generally requires 10 years of legal residence (generally counted from the first card; applicants who paid their fees earlier may count from the payment date, so confirm your case with Portuguese counsel)
Apply for Portuguese nationality and an EU passport, with Portuguese language and civic knowledge at the level set by regulation. Portugal allows dual nationality.
Residence for citizenshipThe Golden Visa itself only needs the short stays above; any physical residence rules for citizenship follow the regulations
General information only; requirements follow each country’s latest rules and can vary with your circumstances.
Portugal Golden Visa client stories
Client storyApplying with parents, and Portuguese residence for the whole family
Ms Lam’s Portugal Golden Visa experience. She wanted European residence for three generations.
Read the full storyClient storyShort stays each year, without affecting work in AsiaMr Tang’s Portugal Golden Visa experience. He wanted European residence while continuing to work in Asia.
Read the full storyClient storyA Portugal Golden Visa through a fund investment, with parents includedMr Fang’s Portugal Golden Visa experience. He wanted European residence for the whole family.
Read the full storyCompared with other options: Europe & Latin America Residency
See the Europe & Latin America Residency overview| Programme | Investment | Status | Typical timeline | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portugal Golden Visa (Fund Investment)This programme | EUR 500,000 (qualifying fund) | Residence; permanent residence after five years | Usually about 1.5–3 years | EU residence without relocating |
| Greece Golden Visa | From EUR 250,000 (by area) | Five-year residence, renewable; PR after 5 years living there | Depends on processing | Schengen residence through property |
| Cyprus Permanent Residency | EUR 300,000 (new-build home) | Permanent residence | Usually about 2–6 months | Permanent residence in an EU country directly |
| Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP) | Buy from EUR 375,000 or rent, plus government fees of EUR 99,000 | Permanent residence | Depends on due diligence | Three generations wanting EU permanent residence |
| Panama Qualified Investor Permanent Residency | New-build property from USD 300,000 | Permanent residence | Statutory processing about 15 + 30 working days | Permanent residence in the Americas through US-dollar assets |
| Paraguay Investor Permanent Residency | From USD 70,000 (real estate USD 200,000) | Permanent residence | Generally about 3–4 months | A lower-cost permanent residence in South America |
Portugal Golden Visa FAQ
Can I still apply by buying property?
No. The real estate route has been abolished; applications are now mainly through qualifying fund investments.
Do I need to live in Portugal?
No need to relocate — you only need to spend an average of about seven days a year in Portugal.
When can I apply for citizenship?
Under the new nationality law in force from 19 May 2026, most applicants need ten years of legal residence, counted from the date the residence card is issued; after five years you can apply for permanent residence.
Sources
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