About
Why Portugal.
Portugal sits on the western edge of Europe, with a temperate Atlantic climate and one of the most flexible golden-visa frameworks in the European Union. The Golden Residence Permit Programme (ARI, "Autorização de Residência para Investimento") was launched in 2012 and has approved over 13,000 main applicants.
The defining feature is residency without relocation. To maintain your Portuguese residence permit, you need spend only 7 days in Portugal during the first year and 14 days during each subsequent 2-year cycle. For HNWIs running businesses elsewhere or relocating in stages, this is uniquely accommodating.
After 5 years of legal residence, with that same low physical-presence requirement, you become eligible for Portuguese citizenship through naturalisation. Portuguese citizenship is EU citizenship: the right to live, work, study, and start a business in any of the 27 member states, plus visa-free access to 184 destinations including the United States and Japan.
The October 2023 reform (Law 56/2023) closed the real-estate-based application path. As of 2024, the most-used route is investment in qualifying funds (typically CMVM-regulated venture capital or private equity), starting at €500,000. A cultural / scientific donation route starts lower at €250,000 but is non-refundable.
Portugal's NHR tax regime was restructured in January 2024. The new IFICI regime offers preferential tax treatment to high-value professionals in technology and R&D, plus certain export-oriented sectors. The historic 20% flat rate on qualifying Portuguese employment income remains attractive for relocating entrepreneurs.
Tax regime
The tax planning angle.
NHR (Non-Habitual Resident): 10 years of preferential tax on Portuguese-sourced and qualifying foreign income (program restructured Jan 2024).
Investment routes
How the investment works.
3 routes are available. Pick the one that fits your goals.
Fund
Qualifying investment fund (post-2023 reform)
From
€500,000
Investment in a Portuguese-regulated qualifying fund (venture capital, private equity, or other CMVM-approved vehicle). This is the most-used route since the October 2023 reform closed real-estate-based applications.
- RecoverableRecoverable after the 5-year minimum hold period.
- Hold period5 years minimum
Benefits
What this residency gives you.
5-year fast track to EU citizenship
After 5 years of residency (with very low physical-presence requirement), you can apply for Portuguese citizenship, which is EU citizenship.
7+14 day minimum stay
Only 7 days in the first year and 14 days per 2-year cycle thereafter. The lowest residence requirement among EU golden visa programs.
Schengen freedom of movement
As a Portuguese resident, travel visa-free across the entire Schengen Area, plus the right to live, work, and study in Portugal.
NHR tax regime access
Portugal's restructured NHR offers 10 years of preferential taxation: flat 20% on Portuguese employment income, exemptions on most foreign income.
Family included
Spouse, dependent children, and parents over 65 (financially dependent) included in the principal application.
Eligibility
Who can apply.
Main applicant
- ✓At least 18 years old
- ✓Clean criminal record
Family members eligible
- ✓Spouse
- ✓Children
- ✓Parents
Process
How it works, step by step.
Initial residency: ~6–10 months for initial approval; biometrics scheduling adds time.
- 1
Pre-engagement
2 weeksKYC pre-screening, investment vehicle selection, NIF application.
- 2
Investment
4–8 weeksFunds transferred to qualifying investment vehicle (most commonly a CMVM-regulated investment fund).
- 3
Application submission
2 weeksAIMA (Agency for Integration, Migrations and Asylum) application filed online.
- 4
Biometrics appointment
8–16 weeksIn-person appointment in Portugal for biometric data collection. Scheduling delays are the main timeline variable.
- 5
Decision
8–16 weeksAIMA approves residence permit; card issued.
- 6
Renewal cycles
Every 2 yearsTwo-year residence cards, renewed if you've spent at least 14 days in Portugal per cycle. After 5 years, eligible for permanent residence or citizenship.
Documents
What you'll need to prepare.
10 documents required.
- 1Passport copy (notarized)
- 2Police clearance from home country and any country of 1+ year residence
- 3Medical insurance valid in Portugal
- 4Proof of accommodation in Portugal (lease or property)
- 5Proof of investment (fund subscription, donation receipt, etc.)
- 6Bank statements showing source of funds
- 7Birth certificate (apostilled)
- 8Marriage certificate (apostilled, if applicable)
- 9Children's birth certificates (apostilled)
- 10Tax identification number (NIF)
FAQ
Questions, answered.
Is the real-estate route still available?
How long until I become a Portuguese citizen?
What is NHR and is it still available?
Do I need to live in Portugal?
When can I apply for citizenship?
Legal basis
Law 23/2007 of August 4, Article 90-A (Golden Residence Permit Programme), as amended by Law 56/2023 of October 6 (closing the real-estate path)
