Portugal Residency by Investment 2026
The Portugal Golden Visa is the world's most prized residency programme for one reason: it is a genuine, tested path to an EU passport while spending just 7 days a year in the country. Since real estate was removed in October 2023, the mainstream route is a €500,000 subscription into a CMVM-regulated investment fund, with a €250,000 cultural heritage donation as the lowest entry point. Under the nationality law in force since 19 May 2026 (Lei Orgânica 1/2026), most non-EU applicants become eligible for Portuguese citizenship after 10 years of legal residence (7 years for EU and CPLP nationals) — a longer road than before, but still the only major EU programme that counts toward a top-5 passport at 7 days' presence a year.
Minimum Investment
€250,000
Processing Time
18–24 months
Visa-Free Access
Schengen (as resident); EU citizenship path
Tax Treatment
IFICI/NHR 2.0: 20% flat for professionals
Family Included
Spouse, dependent children, dependent parents
USA E-2 Treaty
No (but EU passport at year 5)
Why Choose Portugal?
The EU Passport Endgame
Portugal counts your Golden Visa years toward citizenship. Under the 2026 nationality law, most non-EU nationals qualify after 10 years of residence (7 for EU/CPLP), with A2-level Portuguese — still a genuine, tested route to an EU passport at 7 days a year.
7 Days a Year
Maintain residency with an average of just 7 days per year in Portugal — keep your life, business and tax base wherever they are today.
Regulated Fund Route
Invest through CMVM-supervised funds with independent custodians and audited reporting — cleaner governance than any real-estate CBI purchase.
Family to Citizenship Together
Spouse, dependent children and dependent parents all hold residency and all progress toward citizenship on the same clock — one family, one timeline.
Investment Options
Investment Fund Subscription
€500,000
- Units in a CMVM-regulated venture capital or private equity fund
- Funds must not be directly or indirectly real-estate based
- Typical fund life 6–10 years; target returns 3–8% p.a. depending on strategy
- Most popular route — ~80% of new applications
Cultural / Heritage Donation
€250,000
- Donation to approved arts and national heritage reconstruction projects
- Reduced to €200,000 in designated low-density areas
- Lowest capital requirement; non-recoverable by design
Scientific Research / Job Creation
€500,000
- €500,000 into accredited public or private research institutions, or
- Incorporation of a Portuguese company creating 10 permanent jobs
- Suited to founders relocating real operations
Application Requirements
- 1Investment completed and evidenced before application (fund subscription certificate or donation receipt)
- 2Portuguese NIF tax number and local bank account
- 3Clean criminal record (crimes punishable by 1+ year in Portugal are disqualifying)
- 4Funds transferred from abroad
- 5Health insurance valid in Portugal
- 6Biometrics appointment with AIMA in Portugal
Step-by-Step Process
Month 1
NIF and bank account opened remotely by power of attorney; fund selection and subscription documents.
Months 1–3
Complete €500K fund transfer or donation; obtain declarations; file online AIMA application.
Months 6–18
AIMA processing (backlogs mean patience — under the 2026 law your citizenship clock starts from the issue of your first residence card, so early filing matters).
Biometrics
Attend AIMA appointment in Portugal; residence cards issued (2-year validity, renewable).
Year 5
Sit A2 Portuguese exam (CIPLE); apply for citizenship; passport typically issued 12–24 months later.
Benefits of Portugal Residency
Portugal FAQ
Yes. The programme continues via fund investment (€500K), cultural donation (€250K), research (€500K) and job creation routes. Only direct and indirect real-estate routes were abolished in October 2023.
Less than before: 2024 amendments provide that the citizenship clock effectively accounts for time from application submission once approved, mitigating AIMA backlog damage. We structure filings to lock the earliest possible date.
They are regulated, but they are real investments — capital is at risk. We shortlist conservative, income-generating funds with independent custodians, audited NAVs and clear exit mechanics, and you make the final selection with the fund's own documents.
A2 level — basic conversational Portuguese, tested via the CIPLE exam. Most clients reach it with 60–100 hours of study; children in school reach it automatically.
Yes, if they are dependent on you (generally 65+, or financially dependent with evidence). They receive residency and the same path to citizenship.
Staying under 183 days keeps you non-resident: Portugal taxes only Portuguese-source income. Fund distributions to non-residents are typically taxed at 10% (or exempt at fund level in some structures) — we coordinate with Portuguese tax counsel per case.
Choose Portugal if your endgame is an EU passport for your family — now a 10-year project for most nationals under Lei Orgânica 1/2026, but still the most realistic route at 7 days a year. Choose Greece if you want the cheapest permanent Schengen base with zero stay and no exams.
Children up to 26 qualify if unmarried, financially dependent and in full-time education.
Ready to Start Your Portugal Application?
Book a confidential consultation and receive a written eligibility opinion, full cost breakdown, and personalised timeline within 24 hours.
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