Visa
Golden visa in Portugal
Portugal's golden visa (ARI) is open to new requests through five investment routes: a qualifying fund, research funding, cultural heritage, a company with jobs, or creating 10 jobs. The capital routes ask for about €250,000 to €500,000; to be safe, have more than €510,000. Property is not a route.
- Official names
- Autorização de Residência para Investimento (ARI), artigo 90.º-A da Lei 23/2007 (residence permit for investment activity); Regime ARI, in force since 8 October 2012; AIMA applications through the Portal ARI
Sources: Agency for Integration. Checked 16 October 2026.
Who it’s for
- The permit is for non-EU investors who carry out an investment activity in Portugal, personally or through a company set up in Portugal or another EU state with a permanent establishment in Portugal. It does not apply to Portuguese citizens or to nationals of EU and EEA states, Andorra and Switzerland.
- AIMA's page lists the routes open to new requests: creating at least 10 jobs; capital for scientific research; capital for artistic production or cultural heritage; units in a qualifying investment fund; and a company with jobs. Real estate is not among them, and the investment must not be directed, directly or indirectly, at property.
- The holder may enter without a residence visa, live and work in Portugal, travel in the Schengen area without a visa and bring family; AIMA lists the right to ask for permanent residence and for naturalisation if the legal requirements are met.
Sources: Agency for Integration. Checked 16 October 2026.
Money tests
- The capital routes ask for about €250,000 to €500,000 depending on the route. To be safe, have more than €510,000 for the research, fund and company routes, and more than €260,000 for the cultural route.
- The cultural-heritage amount can be reduced by 20% when the investment is made in a low-density territory (NUTS III); the AIMA PDF prints a reduced figure of €220,000, which does not match 20% of the amount it lists, so confirm it with AIMA.
- The fund route needs units in a non-property fund constituted under Portuguese law, with a maturity of at least five years when you invest and at least 60% placed in commercial companies based in Portugal. The company route needs a company seated in Portugal with five new permanent jobs, or the maintenance of at least ten jobs with a minimum of five permanent, for at least three years.
- You also sign a promise of honour to meet the amount and the minimum time of five years, and renewal asks for proof of means of subsistence and housing; where you have no income in Portugal, foreign income, pensions or bank records can show the means.
Sources: Agency for Integration. Checked 16 October 2026.
Documents
- The request needs a valid passport, proof of legal entry and stay, proof of health cover (National Health Service or internationally recognised insurance for the period requested), a criminal record certificate from your home country or where you have lived for over a year, issued within 3 months, translated and certified by a Portuguese consulate or apostilled, a tax number or equivalent, and a form consenting to a check of the Portuguese criminal record.
- You also need proof that tax and social security are in order (a declaration of no debt issued up to 45 days earlier, or of no registration), the receipt for the analysis fee, and investment documents: for the fund route a bank declaration of the transfer, a certificate of unit ownership free of encumbrances and a declaration from the fund manager on maturity and the 60% allocation. Files go up as PDFs of at most 4 MB.
Sources: Agency for Integration. Checked 16 October 2026.
Timing
- Registering on the online Portal ARI is mandatory. You upload the documents, pay the analysis fee by a single collection document, wait for AIMA's email accepting the request, and then make one visit to an AIMA store for documents and biometrics.
- A relative's reunification request can be made at the same time as the investor's, but it depends on the investor's approval. The AIMA pages we read give no decision time for the first request, so that is unknown here.
Sources: Agency for Integration. Checked 16 October 2026.
Fees
- AIMA's table lists, for in-person service, €842.80 to receive and analyse the request, €8,418.90 to grant the permit and €4,210.30 to renew it; the digital or assisted column lists €632.10, €6,314.20 and €3,157.80.
- For relatives reunited with an investor the in-person fee is €8,418.90 to grant the permit and €4,210.30 to renew it; for a permanent investment permit the fee is €11,786.70 to grant and €5,894.10 to renew. The table is indexed each 1 March, with a 2.2% update in 2026, so the charge can differ slightly.
Sources: Agency for Integration. Checked 16 October 2026.
How long it lasts and renewal
- The AIMA pages we read do not state the length of the first permit or of renewals. They set the minimum stay at 7 days in the first year and 14 days in each later two-year period, and the pledge covers an investment kept for 5 years.
- Since 16 February 2026 renewals are made only electronically, through AIMA's renewals portal, and depend on keeping the investment, means of subsistence, housing, tax and social security standing and no relevant conviction. Selling or changing the investment can put renewal at risk.
Sources: Agency for Integration. Checked 16 October 2026.
Path to permanent residence
- Holders and their family who meet the permanent-residence conditions (5 years on a temporary permit, basic Portuguese, means, tax and social security standing, no sentence above one year in the last 5 years) receive a permanent investment permit, which AIMA says keeps the special rules on absences.
- AIMA says holders may also ask for naturalisation. Organic Law 1/2026, in force since 19 May 2026, asks nationals of countries other than EU states and Portuguese-speaking countries for 10 years of legal residence and a language and culture test; the pages we read set no shorter period for investors.
Sources: Agency for Integration, Assembleia da República. Checked 16 October 2026.
Tax
- Tax residence follows the same 183-day test as for other residents: more than 183 days in any 12-month period that starts or ends in the tax year, or, with fewer days, a home kept on conditions that suggest it is the habitual residence. The AIMA pages we read describe no tax regime tied to the investment permit.
- Residents are taxed on all income including income earned abroad, at general rates from 12.50% up to 48.00%, and the IFICI incentive is limited to listed activities for people who were not tax resident in the previous five years.
Sources: Portuguese Tax and Customs Authority, Agency for Integration. Checked 16 October 2026.
Your passport
If you hold a US, Canadian, Australian or New Zealand passport
What differs for each passport, from the same sources. A line that says there is no difference means the sources we read name none.
United States passport
- US citizens can enter for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a Schengen visa, and the permit waives the residence visa. The criminal record must be certified by a Portuguese consulate or apostilled (the US has been party to the Apostille Convention since 15 October 1981); Portuguese posts in the US include Washington, Boston, Newark, New York, San Francisco and New Bedford.
- The US taxes its citizens on worldwide income wherever they live, and the convention's saving clause lets it tax them as if the convention had not come into effect; a US–Portugal social security (totalization) agreement exists.
Sources: European Union (EUR-Lex), Agency for Integration, Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH), Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (visa portal), Internal Revenue Service, US Social Security Administration. Checked 16 October 2026.
Canada passport
- Canadian citizens can enter for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a Schengen visa, and the permit waives the residence visa. Canada has been party to the Apostille Convention since 11 January 2024, so the criminal record can be apostilled; Portuguese posts in Canada are the Ottawa embassy and consulates general in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver.
- A Canada–Portugal tax convention is in force, and a social security agreement has applied since 1 May 1981 for CPP and OAS only.
Sources: European Union (EUR-Lex), Agency for Integration, Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH), Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (visa portal), Department of Finance Canada, Government of Canada. Checked 16 October 2026.
Australia passport
- Australian citizens can enter for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a Schengen visa, and the permit waives the residence visa. An AFP National Police Check costs $57, or $114 with fingerprints, and most are done within 48 hours; the AFP page does not mention apostilles, and Australia has been party to the Apostille Convention since 16 March 1995.
- Australia and Portugal signed a tax treaty on 30 November 2023, but Treasury's list of treaties in force, updated 24 March 2026, does not include Portugal; Portuguese posts in Australia are the Sydney consulate general and the Canberra embassy.
Sources: European Union (EUR-Lex), Agency for Integration, Australian Federal Police, Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH), Australian Treasury, Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (visa portal). Checked 16 October 2026.
New Zealand passport
- New Zealand citizens can enter for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a Schengen visa, and the permit waives the residence visa. If you must hand over a police record yourself, NZ Police points you to a Ministry of Justice criminal record check, which the Ministry aims to answer within 20 working days; New Zealand has been party to the Apostille Convention since 22 November 2001.
- Inland Revenue lists a Portugal tax treaty as under negotiation, and Work and Income's list of social security agreements does not include Portugal; the portal names the Canberra embassy for New Zealand applicants.
Sources: European Union (EUR-Lex), Agency for Integration, New Zealand Police, New Zealand Ministry of Justice, Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH), Inland Revenue (New Zealand), Work and Income (New Zealand), Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (visa portal). Checked 16 October 2026.
Other visas
Other visas in Portugal.
The country
More on Portugal.
Questions about Golden visa in Portugal.
Is Portugal's golden visa still open to new applicants in 2026?
Yes, through investment routes other than property. AIMA's 2026 page lists five routes open to new requests, including jobs, research, cultural heritage, investment funds and a company, and the Portal ARI takes new candidates. Buying property is no longer a route.
How much must I invest for Portugal's golden visa?
The routes ask for about €250,000 to €500,000, or the creation of 10 jobs. To be safe, have more than €510,000 for the research, fund and company routes, and more than €260,000 for the cultural route, which is lower in low-density territories.
How many days must I spend in Portugal on the golden visa?
At least 7 days in the first year and 14 days in each later two-year period, AIMA says. Proof may be asked for when there is doubt. Tax residence is a separate test, set at more than 183 days or a habitual home.
What are the government fees for Portugal's golden visa?
AIMA's table lists €842.80 to analyse the request, €8,418.90 to grant the permit and €4,210.30 to renew it, in person; digital rates are €632.10, €6,314.20 and €3,157.80. The same grant and renewal fees apply to reunited family. The table is indexed each 1 March.
Can my family join me on Portugal's golden visa?
Yes. A spouse, children up to 17 or incapable, single children aged 18 to 25 who are studying, dependent first-degree parents and minor siblings under guardianship are listed. Under Law 61/2025 the two-year wait for reunification does not apply to investor permits.
Does Portugal's golden visa lead to permanent residence or citizenship?
AIMA says holders may ask for permanent residence under the foreigners law and for naturalisation if they meet the requirements. Permanent residence needs 5 years on a temporary permit. Organic Law 1/2026 sets 10 years of legal residence for most other nationalities.
Sources
Official sources we used.
Government and official pages only, each with the date we checked it.
- Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 (visa list), European Union (EUR-Lex). Checked 16 October 2026. Annex II lists Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States as exempt from the short-stay visa requirement; article 4(1): 90 days in any 180-day period.
- Residence permit for investment activity (art. 90-A), Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA). Checked 16 October 2026. Page in Portuguese, footer 2026.
- Status table: Apostille Convention of 5 October 1961, Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH). Checked 16 October 2026. In force: Portugal 4 February 1969, United States 15 October 1981, Australia 16 March 1995, New Zealand 22 November 2001, Canada 11 January 2024.
- Where should you lodge a visa application, Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (visa portal). Checked 16 October 2026. US: Washington embassy plus consulates in Boston, Newark, New York, San Francisco and New Bedford; Canada: Ottawa embassy plus consulates in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver; Australia: Sydney consulate general or Canberra embassy; New Zealand: Canberra embassy.
- US–Portugal income tax convention, Internal Revenue Service. Checked 15 October 2026. 1994 convention with protocol; general effective date 1 January 1996.
- US citizens abroad: filing requirements, Internal Revenue Service. Checked 3 October 2026. US citizens living abroad.
- US–Portugal totalization agreement, US Social Security Administration. Checked 3 October 2026.
- Tax treaties in force, Department of Finance Canada. Checked 4 October 2026. Canada–Portugal convention signed 14 June 1999.
- Social security agreement, Government of Canada. Checked 4 October 2026. Agreement in force since 1 May 1981; CPP and OAS only.
- National police checks, Australian Federal Police. Checked 16 October 2026. Fees as shown on the page; the page does not mention apostilles.
- Treaty signed, Australian Treasury. Checked 4 October 2026. Signed 30 November 2023.
- Treaties in force, Australian Treasury. Checked 15 October 2026. Table last updated 24 March 2026; Portugal not listed.
- Vetting process for visas, New Zealand Police. Checked 16 October 2026.
- Criminal records, New Zealand Ministry of Justice. Checked 16 October 2026. Online service; the page states no fee and does not mention apostilles.
- Tax treaty status, Inland Revenue (New Zealand). Checked 15 October 2026. Portugal listed as under negotiation, not in force.
- Social security agreements, Work and Income (New Zealand). Checked 4 October 2026. Portugal not listed.
- Portal ARI, Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA). Checked 16 October 2026. Page in Portuguese, footer 2026; says renewals have been electronic-only since 16 February 2026.
- ARI request, sub-paragraph vii (investment funds), Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA). Checked 16 October 2026. AIMA checklist PDF in Portuguese; undated.
- ARI request, sub-paragraph viii (company and jobs), Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA). Checked 16 October 2026. AIMA checklist PDF in Portuguese; undated.
- ARI request, sub-paragraph vi (cultural heritage), Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA). Checked 16 October 2026. AIMA checklist PDF in Portuguese; undated.
- ARI frequently asked questions, Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA). Checked 16 October 2026. Page in Portuguese, footer 2026.
- Table of fees and other charges for administrative procedures, Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA). Checked 16 October 2026. Undated table under Portaria 307/2023; two columns (in-person and digital or assisted service with the point XIV reductions); amounts are indexed each 1 March, so the charge can differ slightly.
- Permanent residence permit (art. 80), Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA). Checked 16 October 2026. Page in Portuguese, footer 2026.
- Organic Law 1/2026 of 18 May (amends the Nationality Law, Law 37/81), Assembleia da República, Diário da República 1st series, no. 95. Checked 16 October 2026. Enters into force the day after publication; procedures pending at that date stay under the earlier wording.
- Portuguese tax residence (article 16), Portuguese Tax and Customs Authority. Checked 15 October 2026. Includes the transitional note on the non-habitual resident regime (Law 82/2023, article 236).
- Worldwide income for residents (article 15), Portuguese Tax and Customs Authority. Checked 15 October 2026.
- General income tax rates (article 68), Portuguese Tax and Customs Authority. Checked 16 October 2026. Table as amended by Law 73-A/2025 of 30 December.
- IFICI regime: frequently asked questions, Portuguese Tax and Customs Authority. Checked 15 October 2026.