What the Golden Visa / ARI is and what changed in 2026
The Golden Visa is a residence-permit scheme for non-EU citizens who make and maintain a qualifying investment in Portugal. It grants the right to live, study and work, with reduced stay requirements, and counts towards permanent residency and citizenship.
The headline change of recent years is the removal of real estate: buying property is no longer an eligible route. The programme still exists, but is now focused on productive capital — chiefly subscription to eligible CMVM-registered investment funds, cultural or scientific donation and job creation. Exact amounts and conditions are subject to legislative change and are confirmed case by case at the initial assessment.
Eligible investment routes
The main routes currently in force are:
- Eligible venture-capital / investment funds (CMVM) — subscription of units in funds registered with the CMVM that meet the legal requirements (minimum maturity and exposure to the Portuguese economy). This is the most popular route today.
- Cultural or scientific donation — support for heritage, the arts or research through recognised entities.
- Job creation — creating jobs in Portugal under the conditions required by law.
Each route has its own eligibility requirements, holding periods and documentation. The thresholds in force are confirmed at the assessment — we never work with assumed figures.
Minimum stay: 7 days/year vs. other European programmes
One of the Golden Visa's defining advantages is its reduced minimum stay: the scheme requires only a very light presence on Portuguese soil each year, unlike effective-residency routes that assume you live in Portugal full-time.
This makes the ARI especially suited to people who keep professional or family ties outside Europe yet still want to build a valid residency link. We confirm the exact days required and the obligations for each renewal year. For those who want to live in Portugal from day one, we compare this route with the D7 and D8 visas.
Permanent residency and citizenship under the new Nationality Law
Time spent as a resident under the Golden Visa counts towards permanent residency and, later, towards an application for Portuguese citizenship, subject to the legal requirements (notably language knowledge and a clean record).
In 2026 the Nationality Law was revised: the general residence period required for naturalisation was extended, with a shorter route for nationals of the European Union and of the CPLP (Portuguese-speaking) countries. Because this is an evolving area with specific counting rules, we review your case individually and set out the applicable timeline — without promising deadlines the law does not guarantee.
Including your family
The Golden Visa allows family reunification within the same application or an associated one. The following may be included, under the conditions provided by law:
- the spouse or de facto partner;
- minor children;
- dependent adult children (for example, students in your care);
- dependent parents of the applicant and/or the spouse.
Proof of dependency and of the family link is decisive, and we prepare it carefully to avoid AIMA requests for further evidence.
Due diligence, lawful source of funds and capital transfer
A solid Golden Visa case rests on proving the lawful origin of the funds and on a documented, compliant capital transfer. We handle due diligence with the rigour of a law firm: traceability of the source of money, anti-money-laundering compliance and documentary consistency.
We pay particular attention to demanding contexts — for instance, China's currency controls and capital-outflow limits, which call for transfer planning, and the sanctions regimes applicable to nationals of Russia and Belarus, which can affect eligibility. We assess viability before starting, candidly.
Step-by-step process, AIMA timelines and costs
A typical path looks like this:
- Eligibility assessment and choice of investment route;
- NIF and a bank account in Portugal — we obtain the tax identification number quickly through our NIF Express service;
- Making the investment and gathering documentary proof;
- Submitting the application to AIMA and following it through to biometrics;
- Issuance of the card and management of renewals.
AIMA timelines and total costs (official fees, professional fees and the cost of the investment vehicle) vary with the case and the moment — we give you a transparent quote and a realistic calendar at the initial assessment. For settling into daily life in Portugal, we coordinate with Reside Portugal.
Comparison: Golden Visa vs D7 vs D8
The right route depends on your profile:
- Golden Visa (ARI) — for those who invest and want to keep their main residence outside Portugal, with a reduced minimum stay.
- D7 visa — for those with passive income (pensions, rents, dividends) who intend to live in Portugal.
- D8 visa (digital nomad) — for those working remotely for foreign clients or employers who want to reside in Portugal.
In an assessment we identify the best route for your residency, tax and citizenship goals. Talk to us for a diagnosis of your case.