Portugal’s Golden Visa remains active in 2026, but the rules look different from earlier years. You now face tighter eligibility checks, fewer qualifying investments, and closer scrutiny of compliance, while the long‑term residency and citizenship benefits still attract global interest.

In 2026, you can qualify for the Portugal Golden Visa mainly through a €500,000 investment in CMVM‑regulated funds, meet clear legal and background requirements, and keep a five‑year path to permanent residency and citizenship, with application processing typically stretching over many months rather than weeks.

This article breaks down who qualifies under the current Portugal Golden Visa programme, which investment routes still work, how long each stage usually takes, and how the Golden Visa 2026 fits into your longer‑term plans in Portugal and the EU.

Portugal Golden Visa 2026: Eligibility Criteria and Requirements

In 2026, the Portugal Golden Visa continues to offer a structured route to Portuguese residency and long-term EU residency through qualifying investments. Eligibility depends on your nationality, clean legal record, ability to maintain an approved investment, and compliance with residency and documentation rules.

Who Can Apply in 2026

You can apply if you are a non-EU, non-EEA, and non-Swiss national. This includes applicants from the UK, making the Portugal Golden Visa for UK citizens a practical post-Brexit option to move to Portugal with limited physical presence.

You must be at least 18 years old and hold a clean criminal record in your country of residence. Portuguese authorities also review your international background through police clearance certificates.

CPLP nationals may still apply, but recent legal changes affect processing and nationality timelines. You must hold the qualifying investment for a minimum of five years and meet all Portugal Golden Visa requirements in force at the time of application.

Essential Documentation

You must submit a complete and accurate file to avoid delays. All documents require legalisation or apostille and, where applicable, certified Portuguese translations.

Key documents include:

• Valid passport and proof of legal entry into Portugal
• Criminal record certificates from your country of origin and residence
• Proof of qualifying investment, such as fund subscription certificates
• Portuguese tax number (NIF) and local bank account
• Health insurance valid in Portugal

Portuguese immigration authorities may request updated documents during renewals. You must keep records current throughout the five-year residency period to maintain compliance with golden visa requirements.

Family Inclusion Policies

You can include close family members under one Golden Visa application. Portugal allows family reunification once your initial residency approval is granted.

Eligible dependants include:

• Your spouse or legal partner
• Minor children or adult children in full-time education and financial dependence
• Dependent parents of either spouse

Each family member receives Portuguese residency with the same validity and renewal schedule as yours. Family members must meet basic background checks but do not need to make separate investments. This structure supports long-term Portugal residency planning for families seeking EU residency together.

Residency and Physical Presence Rules

The Portugal Golden Visa remains attractive due to its low stay requirement. You must spend at least 7 days in Portugal in the first year and 14 days in each subsequent two-year period.

You can fulfil these days consecutively or in multiple visits. This flexibility suits investors who do not plan a full-time move to Portugal.

You must maintain your qualifying investment and comply with tax and legal obligations during the five-year period. After five years, you may apply for permanent Portuguese residency or citizenship, subject to nationality law in force at that time and basic language requirements.

Investment Routes for the Portugal Golden Visa in 2026

The Portugal Golden Visa programme now centres on capital contributions that support regulated investment, employment, research, and cultural activity. You must hold a Portuguese tax number and a Portuguese bank account before you invest, as all qualifying routes require verified domestic transactions.

CMVM-Regulated Investment Funds

Investment funds remain the most common route for residency by investment under the Golden Visa Portugal framework. You invest a minimum of €500,000 into a CMVM‑regulated fund with at least a five‑year term.

These golden visa investment funds cannot hold residential property, but they may invest in private equity, venture capital, or Portuguese operating companies. You must keep the investment for the full visa period to remain compliant.

Fund selection matters. You should review the fund’s strategy, exit timeline, and management fees, as performance and liquidity vary widely. Most applicants complete this route after opening a Portuguese bank account and transferring capital from abroad.

Job Creation and Company Investment

This route focuses on direct economic activity in Portugal. You can qualify by creating at least 10 full‑time jobs, or 8 jobs in low‑density areas, through a Portuguese company you control.

An alternative option allows a €500,000 investment into an existing company, combined with the creation or maintenance of five permanent jobs for a minimum of three years. The company must operate locally and comply with labour and tax obligations.

You must register the business, obtain a Portuguese tax number, and maintain payroll records. This route suits investors seeking hands‑on involvement rather than passive golden visa investment funds.

Scientific Research Funding

You may qualify by investing €500,000 in approved scientific or technological research conducted by public or private institutions. The research must form part of Portugal’s national science or innovation system.

Eligible recipients include universities, research foundations, and accredited laboratories. You do not receive equity or financial returns, but you gain full access to the Portugal Golden Visa programme.

This route appeals if you prefer a low‑maintenance structure with clear compliance. You still need a Portuguese bank account to transfer funds and document the contribution for immigration authorities.

Cultural and Artistic Donations

The cultural route requires a €250,000 donation, reduced to €200,000 in low‑density areas. Funds must support recognised artistic production or the preservation of national heritage.

You donate to approved institutions such as museums, foundations, or cultural bodies. This contribution is non‑refundable and does not generate financial return.

Despite the lower capital threshold, scrutiny remains strict. You must evidence the lawful source of funds, hold a Portuguese tax number, and complete the transfer through a Portuguese bank to qualify under the Golden Visa Portugal rules.

Application Process and Timelines

The Portugal Golden Visa application follows a defined administrative path with strict documentation rules. In 2026, digital submission and post‑SEF transition procedures shape how you plan costs, scheduling, and relocation steps.

Step-by-Step Application Procedure

You begin by selecting an eligible investment route and completing the capital transfer before filing the golden visa application process. In 2026, qualifying routes focus on €500,000 regulated investment funds, with real estate excluded.

You then prepare core documents, including a valid passport, criminal record certificates, proof of investment, Portuguese tax number (NIF), and health insurance. You submit the application through AIMA’s online platform, either directly or via a legal representative.

Key cost items usually include:

Item	Typical Amount
Government application fee	~€550 per applicant
Approval fee	~€5,300 per applicant
Legal and fund fees	Varies by provider

You pay government fees only after pre‑approval. Once approved, you schedule biometrics in Portugal, which often aligns with plans to relocate to Portugal or make short compliance visits.

Biometrics and Identity Verification

You must attend a biometrics appointment in person in Portugal. AIMA collects fingerprints, photographs, and signature data to finalise identity checks for the Portuguese Golden Visa.

Appointments occur at designated immigration offices and usually cover all family members included in your application. You should bring original documents, updated criminal records, and proof that the investment remains active.

Missed or incomplete appointments can delay residence card issuance. Many applicants coordinate biometrics with a brief stay, as no long‑term residence is required at this stage.

After biometrics, AIMA completes background verification with Portuguese and international authorities. You receive your first residence card once checks clear, allowing legal residence and Schengen travel.

Typical Processing Times in 2026

Processing times in 2026 reflect the shift to a fully digital workflow, though backlogs still affect some stages. From initial submission to pre‑approval, you should expect 6 to 9 months in most cases.

Biometrics scheduling may add 2 to 4 months, depending on appointment availability. Residence cards typically issue 3 to 6 months after biometrics.

A simplified timeline looks like this:

• Investment completed: Month 0
• Online application filed: Month 1
• Pre‑approval: Months 6–9
• Biometrics: Months 8–12
• Residence card issued: Months 11–18

Renewals follow a similar process but often move faster. These timelines influence when you plan travel, family relocation, and long‑term residency goals.

Path to Permanent Residency and Citizenship

The Portugal Golden Visa keeps a defined route from temporary residency to permanent status and, later, Portuguese citizenship. You follow set holding periods, meet renewal rules, and prepare for a possible citizenship application under laws that Parliament may revisit in 2026.

Minimum Holding Period and Renewal

You must hold the Portugal Golden Visa for five years to qualify for permanent residency or to apply for Portuguese citizenship. This timeline remains in force, despite recent legal challenges and court decisions that preserved the five‑year route.

Renewals focus on compliance rather than ongoing investment growth. You keep your qualifying investment during the holding period and meet minimum stay requirements.

Key requirements

• Physical presence: about 7 days in the first year and 14 days in each subsequent two‑year period.
• Renewal cycle: residence permits renew on a rolling basis, typically every two years.
• Investment continuity: you maintain the approved route, such as €500,000 in regulated funds or a cultural donation.

Permanent residency removes the need to keep the original investment and provides long‑term stability for living in Portugal.

Potential Changes to Citizenship Laws

Portugal has discussed adjustments to its nationality law, including how authorities calculate the residency period. Courts have upheld the current five‑year citizenship route for Golden Visa holders, but Parliament plans a review in 2026.

You should expect debate rather than immediate disruption. Existing applicants generally rely on transitional protections, especially those already in the system.

What to watch

• Clarification on how residency time counts toward citizenship by investment.
• Possible procedural changes, not a repeal of the Portugal golden passport pathway.
• Continued separation between residency rights and future investment rules.

Planning early helps you adapt if timelines or documentation standards shift.

Transition from Residency to Portuguese Citizenship

After five years, you may choose permanent residency or proceed directly to Portuguese citizenship, provided you meet all criteria. Citizenship grants full EU rights and removes renewal obligations.

You must show a basic command of Portuguese (A2 level), a clean criminal record, and effective ties to the country. Golden Visa holders meet the residence requirement without relocating full time.

Comparison

Option	Key Benefit	Ongoing Duties
Permanent residency	Lifetime right to live in Portugal	Renew card every five years
Portuguese citizenship	EU passport and voting rights	None after approval

This structure supports long‑term plans for living in Portugal with flexibility and legal certainty.

Ready to take the next step towards EU residency or citizenship? Speak to Coates Global today for clear, compliant guidance tailored to your goals. Whether you need a portugal golden visa solicitor, a hungary golden visa solicitor, an italy investor visa consultant, or a malta citizenship by investment solicitor, we’ll help you understand eligibility, costs, timeframes, and documentation—so you can move forward with confidence. Book a consultation and get a clear plan from day 1.