Open (reforming)Portugal

Portugal Golden Visa (ARI): Cost, Requirements & Processing Time (2026)

The short version

Portugal Golden Visa (ARI) requires a minimum investment of €200,000 (€200,000 cultural/heritage donation is the cheapest route (non-refundable)), with residency in ~36–40 months and a path to citizenship in 10 years.

Investment routes compared

Route type	Amount (EUR)	Notes	Primary?
Cultural donation	€200,000	Donation to approved cultural/heritage projects; non-refundable.
Investment fund	€500,000	Qualifying CMVM-registered fund; ≥60% Portuguese-companies allocation; 6–8 year hold typical.	Most common
Research donation	€500,000	Contribution to Portuguese research institutions.
Job creation	No financial investment	Create and maintain 10+ full-time jobs in Portugal.
Capital transfer	€1,500,000	Transfer to Portuguese bank account or government bonds.

At a glance

€200,000 minimum qualifying investment
~36–40 months expected end-to-end processing
10 years of residence citizenship timeline
Schengen access travel rights
~7 days/yr physical-presence requirement

Physical presence: 14 days in first 2-year permit, 14 days per each 2-year renewal period.

Official program source · Source: Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo (AIMA) · Last verified Apr 15, 2026 · Verify current rules with an authorized immigration adviser or the destination's consulate before applying.

Next review 2026-08-15.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the minimum investment for the Portugal Golden Visa (ARI)?

The minimum qualifying investment is €200,000. €200,000 cultural/heritage donation is the cheapest route (non-refundable). Qualifying routes: Cultural donation (€200,000); Investment fund (€500,000); Research donation (€500,000); Job creation (€0); Capital transfer (€1,500,000) Most applicants use the Investment fund route (€500,000).

How long does the Portugal Golden Visa (ARI) take to process?

Expected end-to-end processing is ~36–40 months. AIMA backlog: ~50,000 pending files as of May 2025. Government pledged 2026 resolution; 2025 pledge was broken.

Can I get citizenship through the Portugal Golden Visa (ARI), and when?

Citizenship is available after 10 years of legal residence. April 2026 amendment extends to 10 years for most (7 for Portuguese-speaking countries + EU); law pending presidential action. Pre-law applicants may benefit from transitional provisions — test with counsel. It can lead to EU citizenship.

What is the physical-presence requirement for the Portugal Golden Visa (ARI)?

14 days in first 2-year permit, 14 days per each 2-year renewal period.

Are my spouse and children included in the Portugal Golden Visa (ARI)?

Spouse, minor children, adult children in education, parents can be included.

Does the Portugal Golden Visa (ARI) grant Schengen access?

Yes. Portugal Golden Visa (ARI) grants Schengen-area travel access.

Is the Portugal Golden Visa (ARI) currently open to new applicants?

The programme is currently open (reforming). April 2026 nationality-law amendment pending presidential signature — extends citizenship timeline from 5 to 10 years for most applicants.

Who regulates the Portugal Golden Visa (ARI)?

Portugal Golden Visa (ARI) is administered by Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo (AIMA). The canonical source is https://www.aima.gov.pt/. Facts last verified 2026-04-15; next review 2026-08-15.

Investment routes compared

Route type	Amount (EUR)	Notes	Primary?
Cultural donation	€200,000	Donation to approved cultural/heritage projects; non-refundable.
Investment fund	€500,000	Qualifying CMVM-registered fund; ≥60% Portuguese-companies allocation; 6–8 year hold typical.	Most common
Research donation	€500,000	Contribution to Portuguese research institutions.
Job creation	No financial investment	Create and maintain 10+ full-time jobs in Portugal.
Capital transfer	€1,500,000	Transfer to Portuguese bank account or government bonds.