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Portugal Golden Visa in 2026: How It Works Now
✨ What Is the Golden Visa?
It’s a residence permit for non-EU citizens who make a qualifying investment in Portugal. Its main advantages:
- Very low minimum stay — you don’t need to live in Portugal full-time
- Free movement within the Schengen area
- Family members can be included
- A path to permanent residence and, later, citizenship
💰 Qualifying Investments in 2026
- Investment funds: at least €500,000 in qualifying non-real-estate investment funds, with a focus on Portuguese companies
- Company creation or capital increase: at least €500,000 in a company headquartered in Portugal, with the creation or maintenance of at least five permanent jobs
- Job creation: creating at least 10 jobs in Portugal
- Scientific research: at least €500,000 in research activities at recognised institutions
- Arts and cultural heritage: at least €250,000 in artistic production or the recovery of national cultural heritage
Some amounts may be reduced by 20% for investments in low-density areas.
🏠 What about real estate? Since October 2023, buying property no longer qualifies for new Golden Visa applications. Existing permits based on real estate can still be renewed.
📅 Minimum Stay
- At least 7 days in Portugal in the first year
- At least 14 days in each subsequent two-year period
This makes the Golden Visa ideal for people who want a European residence without moving full-time — but if you want to apply for citizenship later, you’ll need to check the specific residence requirements.
👨👩👧 Family Members
You can include:
- Your spouse or partner
- Minor children
- Adult children who are dependent and studying
- Dependent parents
Golden Visa holders are exempt from the two-year waiting period introduced for family reunification in 2025.
📋 Main Requirements
- Make the qualifying investment and maintain it for at least five years
- Clean criminal record
- Valid passport and legal entry into Portugal
- Health insurance
- NIF and Portuguese bank account
- Proof that the investment funds come from abroad
🛤️ The Process
- Get your NIF and open a Portuguese bank account.
- Make the qualifying investment and gather proof.
- Submit the application online on the AIMA platform, with all documents.
- Pay the application fee.
- Attend your biometrics appointment in Portugal.
- Receive your residence permit once approved.
- Renew your permit periodically, proving that the investment is maintained and that you’ve met the minimum stay.
Processing times can be long — plan conservatively.
🛤️ Path to Permanent Residence and Citizenship
- After five years, you can apply for permanent residence.
- Citizenship rules changed in 2026: for new applications, the legal residence requirement is now generally 10 years (7 years for citizens of Portuguese-speaking and EU countries), along with language and civic requirements.
🧾 Taxes
Having a Golden Visa doesn’t automatically make you a tax resident in Portugal — especially with such a short minimum stay. Your tax situation depends on where you actually live. Getting tax advice before investing is essential.
🚀 Final Considerations
The Golden Visa remains one of the most flexible residence options in Europe — but with real estate out, choosing the right investment and checking the fund’s eligibility is more important than ever.
📢 Expert Advice: Before investing in a fund, confirm in writing that it qualifies for the Golden Visa. Not every fund marketed to investors meets the legal requirements.
Considering the Golden Visa? Step Inside Portugal can guide you through the investment options and the full application process — find out more about our Golden Visa services here. ✨
This article is for general information only and doesn’t constitute legal, tax or investment advice. It reflects the rules as of October 2026; confirm the requirements that apply to your case.
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