Citizenship by Investment in Portugal: Golden Visa Path

For a few years now, golden visa or citizenship by investment programs started to become very appealing for entrepreneurs from all over the world. Portugal makes no exception, as in 2012, the government implemented its residence by investment (golden visa) program which rendered very good results.

The Portuguese citizenship by investment program offers great advantages to foreign entrepreneurs provided that they invest a specific amount of money in various assets. Below, our lawyers provide useful information on how to buy a golden visa in Portugal. We can also help with the application forms when choosing to enter the golden visa/citizenship by investment program.

Who is eligible for Portuguese citizenship by investment scheme?

Portugal is one of the European countries and EU member states to have created a golden visa program through which non-EU citizens can relocate here, so this scheme addresses wealthy individuals who can dispose of the minimum amount of money required by the Portuguese government to enroll in the program. Even if there are other options for foreign citizens who want to obtain citizenship in Portugal, the residence and citizenship by investment program is one of the safest and most attractive compared to the programs of other EU member states.

Compared to other European countries offering citizenship by investment, Portugal also has one of the cheapest golden visa schemes.

Foreign citizens from non-EU countries who want to buy a golden visa in Portugal or any other country in Europe are invited to discuss their options with our specialists who can guide them accordingly.

We can provide more information on the golden visa program in Portugal.

Conditions for entering the citizenship by investment program in Portugal in 2026

Those interested in buying a golden visa for Portugal must first know the conditions imposed by the Foreigners Act (Law 23/2007) and applied by AIMA, the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum in the country. The following categories of investors can enroll in this program:

non-EU citizens – the program was created to attract investors from non-EU states only;
the applicant must have a clean criminal record in order to be allowed to join the program;
the entrepreneur must have entered Portugal legally (with a Schengen visa or visa exemption);
submit proof that the investment is legitimate and comes from outside the EU.

Our lawyers can advise on all the mandatory conditions imposed on foreign investors who want to buy a golden visa for Portugal in 2026. They will carefully analyze the applicant’s case and advise them on the best course of action.

There are several countries that offer golden passports in Europe.

We invite you to see our scheme on the benefits of obtaining Portuguese citizenship by investment:

Investment options when buying a golden visa for Portugal

As mentioned earlier, those who want to enter Portugal through the citizenship by investment program are required to invest in specific assets. Capital investments in various activities or projects of national interest and job creation are the main options available for applicants.

When it comes to capital investments, one of the following options can be chosen:

the applicant can invest at least 500,000 euros in research and development activities;
the applicant can invest at least 250,000 euros in art or reconstruction of a building of national interest;
the applicant must buy shares in investment funds or make venture capital investments worth at least 500,000 euros;
alternatively, the applicant can create at least 10 jobs in Portugal.

Our lawyers can also advise on residence by investment programs in other countries like Italy, Greece, or Cyprus. These countries have similar conditions to Portugal. It is one of the most sought golden visa countries in Europe.

New conditions for the citizenship by investment scheme in Portugal

The Portuguese Golden Visa Program has undergone the following significant revisions:

real estate acquisition has been abolished as an investment option;
other investments associated with real estate are also no longer accepted. Among the investment choices
for applying for a Golden Visa in 2026 remain fund and cultural investment (restoration and preservation of national cultural heritage), and job creation.

These changes do not affect people who applied before the new amendments were made, nor those who have already obtained their visas. So, if you want to apply for a golden visa under the current requirements, you can rely on our local agents.

The 2026 citizenship by investment scheme in Portugal falls under the supervision of AIMA (Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum), which replaced SEF in October 2023.

Europe is a leading center for citizenship by investment countries.

The investment options explained

When applying for a Golden Visa in Portugal, people can select one of two investment pathways. The minimum
EUR 250,000 donation implies that your donation is sent straight to a recognized cultural heritage institution. The Portuguese government has authorized particular organizations. The project must receive the entire investment amount. The option
for fund investment, which requires at least EUR 500,000, means that money must be placed in a government-regulated investment fund that allocates at least 60% of its capital within Portugal. There are many different types of funds. Some are more recent and made mainly for investors with Golden Visas. Others are well-established funds with a strong track record and significant capital (some over EUR 1 billion), frequently obtained from institutional sources such as state pension funds.

Citizenship by investment by entrepreneurship in Portugal

Investors from non-EU countries who want to run their own businesses in Portugal have the possibility of investing in companies. This requires investing at least EUR 500,000 in a Portuguese company and creating or keeping at least 5 permanent jobs for at least 3 years (the real estate option was abolished in October 2023). Our golden visa agents can offer more information on the citizenship by investment scheme in Portugal. We can also help those interested in similar programs in Cyprus, Malta, and Italy.

We can also advise on the golden visa program in Antigua and Barbuda.

Documents required for the Golden Visa Scheme in Portugal

The following documents must be prepared and submitted with AIMA in Portugal upon enrolling in the citizenship by investment program:

a clear criminal record;
proof that the funds to be invested are originated abroad and come from secure sources;
the passport with a valid Schengen visa;
proof of payment the application and processing fees.

The applicant is also required to live for 7 days in the first year after the investment was made and for 14 days for the following two years. It is important to note that successful candidates must hold their investments for at least 5 years and the minimum stay requirements apply only for those who want to obtain residency by investment. Those who seek citizenship by investment in Portugal in 2026 must live here several days in a calendar year in order to obtain a permanent residence which leads to citizenship.

Our golden visa specialists in Portugal can offer the necessary details regarding the requirements for obtaining citizenship by investment.

We can also offer support to those who want to apply for golden passports in other parts of the world.

Most citizenship by investment countries require you to prove that the funds you invest are yours and come from legitimate sources. Additionally, you will be required to keep the investment in place for at least the bare minimum of time. Possessing a clean criminal history is another thing these countries have in common.

What are the benefits of the Portuguese golden visa program?

Foreign citizens who enter the citizenship by investment program in Portugal will have various benefits, among which one of the greatest advantages is obtaining permanent residence in this country after 5 years. The same program can help those interested in acquiring a Portuguese passport after 10 years of legal residence (7 years for EU and CPLP nationals), under the nationality law amended in May 2026.

Other advantages of golden visa/citizenship by investment program in Portugal in 2026 are:

the possibility of traveling to other EU countries without additional visa requirements;
the applicant can choose to relocate to Portugal with the family;
the applicant can choose to live in Portugal or in their home country, however, he or she is required to come to Portugal every 2 years in order to renew the visa;
the applicant can also choose to live, work, or study in Portugal.

You won’t be subject to taxation under the Portugal Golden Visa Program until you stay there for more than 183 days in a calendar year. If you do, you subsequently become a resident for tax purposes in Portugal. For foreigners who are thinking about moving to Portugal and becoming tax residents, Portugal has an advantageous tax system. For the first 10 years of residence, the non-habitual residency (NHR) scheme offered tax benefits, but it closed to new applicants from 2024 and was replaced by the IFICI regime ("NHR 2.0") for qualifying professions. In 2020, the program underwent a minor adjustment that introduced a flat 10% tax on foreign pension income for new NHR beneficiaries.

Those interested in applying for the golden visa program should know that Portugal is one of the safest countries in the world (7th in the 2025 Global Peace Index). In Europe, Portugal is one of the most beautiful and warm countries.

If you need details on other golden visa countries, you can rely on our specialists.

Why choose the Portuguese golden visa scheme instead of other programs?

When having to choose between citizenship by investment programs, or better said between the countries offering them, the investment options and amount of money are probably the most important aspects the applicants consider.

Portugal’s citizenship by investment program stands out among others thanks to a series of attributes, among which a recent change in the legislation that allows those who have obtained residence by investment to be eligible for citizenship; since 19 May 2026 (Organic Law 1/2026) this requires 10 years of legal residence (7 for EU and CPLP nationals). The main requirement they need to comply with is to live for 35 days during the 5 years they benefited from the residence by investment visa. As a matter of fact, Portugal has one of the lowest minimum stay requirements when it comes to a golden visa. It should also be noted that the golden visa through which residence by investment is obtained counts towards the legal residence period needed to obtain citizenship in Portugal.

If you want to relocate to Portugal and apply for a golden visa in 2026, we can help you. If you need advice on other citizenship by investment countries, you can send us your inquiries.

If you decide to move to Portugal through the citizenship by investment program, you can rely on our local specialists for assistance in preparing the documentation to be submitted with the authorities and compiling the application file. Do not hesitate to contact us for detailed information and guidance in applying for citizenship by investment in Portugal.