European Residence • Investment • Family Mobility
Portugal's Autorização de Residência para Investimento (ARI), commonly known as the Golden Visa, provides qualifying third-country nationals with Portuguese residence through eligible investment activity.
The program can provide Portuguese residence, Schengen mobility, family-reunification opportunities and potential longer-term residence or nationality options, subject to the separate legal requirements applicable at the relevant time.
Start Your Assessment Discuss Portugal WhatsApp NKICPortugal currently provides several qualifying ARI investment categories. The appropriate route should be selected only after reviewing the investor's objectives, source of funds, risk profile and legal, financial and tax circumstances.
Capital transfer of at least €500,000 for acquisition of units in qualifying non-real-estate collective investment undertakings established under Portuguese law and meeting the applicable statutory requirements.
Capital transfer of at least €500,000 applied to qualifying research activities conducted by public or private scientific-research institutions integrated into Portugal's scientific and technological system.
Capital transfer of at least €250,000 for qualifying investment or support involving artistic production or the recovery or maintenance of Portuguese national cultural heritage.
Creation of at least 10 qualifying jobs may constitute an eligible investment activity under Portugal's ARI framework.
Capital transfer of at least €500,000 into a qualifying Portuguese commercial company combined with the applicable permanent job-creation or job-maintenance requirements.
Qualifying ARI investors may seek family reunification for eligible family members under Portugal's applicable immigration rules.
Qualifying investors obtain Portuguese residence authorization, subject to maintaining the applicable investment and ARI requirements.
Portuguese residence provides mobility within the Schengen Area subject to applicable European and national travel rules.
Qualifying family members may potentially obtain residence through Portugal's family-reunification framework.
ARI holders may later seek permanent residence or Portuguese nationality if they independently satisfy the requirements in force when they apply.
AIMA currently states that ARI holders generally need to remain in Portugal for at least seven days during the first year and at least 14 days during subsequent applicable periods.
The comparatively limited physical-presence requirement makes the ARI particularly relevant to internationally mobile investors and families who do not intend to relocate immediately to Portugal on a full-time basis.
The fund route remains one of the principal ARI investment categories, but not every Portuguese investment fund qualifies for the Golden Visa.
A qualifying capital transfer of at least €500,000 may be used to establish a commercial company headquartered in Portugal when combined with creation of at least five permanent jobs.
Qualifying reinforcement of the share capital of an existing Portuguese commercial company may also qualify when combined with the required creation or maintenance of employment. Current rules include a minimum employment component and a minimum three-year period.
Family-reunification eligibility depends on the relationship, documentation and rules applicable to each family member. The investor's spouse or qualifying partner, children and other eligible dependants should be assessed individually before the application structure is finalized.
Portugal's nationality legislation changed significantly in May 2026. Golden Visa applicants should therefore be cautious about older advertising that describes Portugal as providing citizenship after five years.
Qualifying ARI holders may potentially request permanent residence under Portuguese immigration law when they satisfy the separate requirements applicable to permanent residence.
Portuguese nationality is a separate legal process. Under the nationality rules that entered into force on 19 May 2026, the general naturalization residence period for new applications is longer than under the previous law and varies according to nationality.
Applicants must demonstrate the required qualifying investment and supporting financial transactions.
Banking and application procedures may require documentation demonstrating the lawful origin and transfer of investment capital.
Identity, criminal-record, immigration and other supporting documentation forms part of the residence process.
Portuguese banking and investment providers conduct their own compliance and due-diligence procedures independently of immigration eligibility.
Review nationality, family members, source of funds, investment objectives and potential ARI eligibility.
Coordinate required Portuguese legal, banking, tax and investment steps with appropriately qualified local professionals.
Coordinate preparation and submission of the required ARI documentation through the applicable Portuguese process.
Complete applicable AIMA appointment, biometric and residence-card requirements and subsequently maintain investment and renewal obligations.
Portugal residence-by-investment matters can involve Portuguese immigration law, nationality law, banking, taxation, investments, corporate matters, source-of-funds documentation and family planning.
NKIC coordinates with appropriately qualified Portuguese lawyers, tax professionals and regulated financial or investment professionals where their specialist advice or representation is required.
Request the NKIC 2026 guide to Portugal ARI routes, qualifying investments, family planning, renewals and long-term residence options.
Request the 2026 Program GuideComplete the NKIC Online Intake Questionnaire so we can review your nationality, family structure, residence objectives, financial profile, source of funds and investment preferences before discussing Portugal ARI options.
Complete Online Intake Book a Consultation WhatsApp +41 76 818 00 66Portugal's immigration, investment, residence, taxation and nationality rules can change. Eligibility depends on the investor, family members, nationality, source of funds, selected investment and legal requirements in force at the relevant time. Nothing on this page constitutes Portuguese investment, financial, legal or tax advice. Investment values are not guaranteed and investments involve financial risk.