OpenPortugal
Portugal Golden Visa (ARI): Cost, Requirements & Processing Time (2026)
The short version
Portugal Golden Visa (ARI) has a minimum investment of €250,000 via the cultural donation route and is currently open.
[Data] AIMA — Autorização de Residência para Investimento · verified
Programme detail
Portugal Golden Visa (ARI) requires a minimum investment of €250,000 (€250,000 non-refundable cultural/heritage capital transfer is the cheapest route (Lei 23/2007 art. 90.º-A vi; a 20% low-density-territory reduction to €200K exists but is geography-restricted). (The fund route is €500K.)), 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 | €250,000 | Capital transfer to approved cultural/heritage projects; non-refundable. €200K only in low-density territories (20% reduction). | |
| 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. |
Eligibility check
Do your investable assets meet Portugal's golden-visa minimum?
Investable assets: $290,550
A ~$375k investable-asset profile clears this threshold.
Source: Portugal Golden Visa (Residence permit for investment activity) · checked 2026-10-13
Modelled estimate from published thresholds — not immigration, legal, or tax advice. Covers income / savings / age only; other eligibility gates are not modelled.
Check against your savingsAt a glance
- €250,000 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: 7 days in the first year, then 14 days in each subsequent 2-year period (AIMA ARI FAQ).
Official program source · Source: AIMA — Autorização de Residência para Investimento · Last verified Oct 7, 2026 · Verify current rules with an authorized immigration adviser or the destination's consulate before applying.
Next review 2026-11-07.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum investment for the Portugal Golden Visa (ARI)?
The minimum qualifying investment is €250,000. €250,000 non-refundable cultural/heritage capital transfer is the cheapest route (Lei 23/2007 art. 90.º-A vi; a 20% low-density-territory reduction to €200K exists but is geography-restricted). (The fund route is €500K.) Qualifying routes: Cultural donation (€250,000); Investment fund (€500,000); Research donation (€500,000); Job creation (€0) 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. ENACTED (Lei Orgânica 1/2026, in force 19 May 2026): 7 years for Portuguese-speaking/CPLP + EU nationals, 10 years for all others (this field shows the 10y 'others' tier). Pending applications keep the prior regime. The earlier '5-year' claim is now outdated. It can lead to EU citizenship.
What is the physical-presence requirement for the Portugal Golden Visa (ARI)?
7 days in the first year, then 14 days in each subsequent 2-year period (AIMA ARI FAQ).
Are my spouse and children included in the Portugal Golden Visa (ARI)?
Spouse, minor children, adult children in education, dependent 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. Nationality reform ENACTED: Lei Orgânica n.º 1/2026 published in Diário da República 18 May 2026, in force 19 May 2026. Citizenship clock now 7 years (Portuguese-speaking/CPLP + EU nationals) or 10 years (all others); pending applications keep the prior regime. Source: Diário da República + Ministério da Justiça. The €1.5M capital-transfer route (bank deposit / government bonds) closed to new applications on 7 October 2023 with the real-estate routes (Lei 56/2023).
Who regulates the Portugal Golden Visa (ARI)?
Portugal Golden Visa (ARI) is administered by AIMA — Autorização de Residência para Investimento. The canonical source is https://aima.gov.pt/pt/viver/que-facam-prova-de-atividade-de-investimento-nos-termos-a-que-se-refere-a-alinea-d-do-artigo-3-o-art-122-o-1-al-r. Facts last verified 2026-10-07; next review 2026-11-07.