Investment fund — €500,000
Subscribe to units of a qualifying investment fund. It suits investors who prefer a passive, professionally managed holding.
Portugal Golden Visa
Portugal Golden Visa by investment
Secure EU residence through a qualifying investment, with only a few days a year required in Portugal. Our legal team helps you choose the route, document your funds and see the application through to your residence card.
Talk to an advisor- Investments from €250,000
- Only 7 days in year one
- Citizenship eligibility after 5 years
Advisors in English and Portuguese
At a glance
The Portugal Golden Visa in five figures
The essentials of Portugal's residence-by-investment programme in 2026.
€250,000 Minimum investment
The entry point, through cultural heritage projects. Fund and research routes start at €500,000.
6–18 months Typical processing time
Depends on your country, appointment availability and how quickly your documents are ready.
2 years Permit validity
Each residence permit runs for two years and is renewed in further two-year periods.
7 days Stay in the first year
After that, 14 days in every two-year period keeps your status valid.
5 years Path to citizenship
Counted from the date your application is submitted. Dual nationality is allowed.
Who it suits
Who the Portugal Golden Visa is for
The Golden Visa fits people who want EU residence rights without moving their life to Portugal straight away.
- Investors seeking EU residence and mobility
- Families planning a future in Europe
- Entrepreneurs who travel often
- Patrons of arts and cultural heritage
- Fund investors diversifying into Europe
- Applicants wanting a second citizenship
- People who cannot live in Portugal full time
How it works
What the Portugal Golden Visa is
The Golden Visa is Portugal's residence-by-investment programme. Instead of proving a salary or pension, you qualify by placing capital into an approved investment. In return you receive a Portuguese residence permit with a very light presence requirement, so you can keep living and working elsewhere.
Real estate purchases no longer qualify. Today the main routes are a €500,000 subscription to an investment fund, €500,000 in research activities or €250,000 towards cultural heritage projects, and other qualifying routes also exist. Whichever you choose, the money must be shown to come from a lawful source.
Permits are issued for two years at a time and renewed in two-year periods. You need to spend 7 days in Portugal during the first year and 14 days in each two-year period after that. Processing usually takes between six and eighteen months.
After five years, counted from the day your application is submitted, you can apply for Portuguese citizenship — and you can keep your existing nationality.
- EU residence and freedom to travel within Europe.
- Minimal time in Portugal compared with other residence visas.
- A route to Portuguese nationality, with dual citizenship allowed.
- Tax and lifestyle advantages for those who later relocate.
Eligibility
Golden Visa requirements in 2026
Every applicant must meet these conditions. Our legal team reviews each one before your application is filed.
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A qualifying investment
You must complete one approved investment, starting from €250,000 for cultural heritage and €500,000 for an investment fund or research activities. Property purchases are no longer accepted.
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Proof of the source of funds
Bank statements, tax returns, sale agreements or similar records must show the lawful origin of the capital and satisfy anti-money-laundering checks.
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Health insurance
Private cover must pay for all medical expenses in Portugal until you are registered with the national health service.
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Clean criminal record
You need a police certificate from your country of residence and from every country you have lived in during the last five years. Each one must be under 90 days old, apostilled or legalised, and translated into Portuguese.
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Proof of accommodation
A rental contract, a property deed or a declaration from a host confirms your address in Portugal.
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Commitment to the minimum stay
You must be able to spend 7 days in Portugal in the first year and 14 days in each two-year period that follows.
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Portuguese tax number and bank account
A NIF and a Portuguese bank account are needed to transfer and hold the investment funds.
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Additional documents
The full document list depends on your consulate and your personal circumstances. We confirm exactly what your case needs.
Investment routes
Golden Visa investment options
Choosing the right route is the most important decision in your application. These are the main options in 2026.
Research activities — €500,000
Fund scientific or technological research carried out by qualifying public or private institutions in Portugal.
Cultural heritage — €250,000
Support artistic production or the recovery and upkeep of national cultural heritage. This is the lowest-cost entry point to the programme.
Other qualifying routes
The programme includes further investment pathways beyond these three. We assess which one fits your capital and goals.
Real estate — no longer eligible
Buying property in Portugal no longer qualifies for a Golden Visa, although you can still buy a home separately.
Your family
Your spouse and children can apply alongside you, and dependants can also be added to the application later.
The process
How to apply for the Portugal Golden Visa
From choosing an investment to receiving your residence card, these are the stages your application goes through.
- 01
Plan your investment route
We review your goals, your family and the origin of your capital, then recommend the route that suits you best.
- 02
Get a NIF and open a bank account
A Portuguese tax number and bank account let you move and hold the investment funds in Portugal.
- 03
Make the investment and build your file
You complete the investment while we gather source-of-funds evidence, police certificates, apostilles, translations, insurance and proof of accommodation.
- 04
Submit your application
The application is filed with AIMA. Your five-year count towards citizenship starts on the day it is submitted.
- 05
Attend your biometrics appointment
You attend an appointment to give biometrics and present originals. A decision usually takes six to eighteen months.
- 06
Receive and renew your residence card
Once approved, your card is valid for two years and is renewed in two-year periods, as long as you meet the stay requirement.
What's included
How we help
At OlaVisa, we take on the bureaucracy so you can concentrate on the move itself. Our legal team owns your application from the first document to the final decision, making sure it is accurate, complete and aligned with what the consulate expects. We make a complicated process simple, so your attention stays on your next chapter rather than on paperwork.
Talk to an advisorFull-Service Visa Support
We run your application from beginning to end, so every step is done correctly, without wasted time and to the exact requirements of the consulate that will decide it.
Residency Permit Support
The visa is only the first milestone — the residence card is the real goal. Our support carries on until you hold it, and one fee covers the whole journey to your new life in Portugal.
Thorough Document Review
Each document is checked for accuracy and compliance before it is submitted, which prevents the delays and refusals small errors cause. A secure client portal keeps your files and our updates in one place.
Consulate Scheduling
We book and coordinate your VFS, consulate and AIMA appointments as quickly as availability allows, on dates that fit around your plans.
Appeals & Revisions
If something does not go to plan, we handle the appeal or correction to put your application back on course. It is never one attempt and done — we stay with you until there is an outcome.
Uncapped Access to Our Legal Team
Ask as many questions as you need, with no cap of one or two calls. Our legal team is available by email and phone throughout your case, with clear and timely answers.
Strategic Legal Planning
The most obvious route is not always the one with the best chance of success. We take the time to understand your whole situation and point you towards the path we believe serves you best.
After the visa
Legal & Financial Setup
Our support carries on once your visa is granted. From your Portuguese NIF number to your bank account, we take care of the details so you can settle in with confidence and peace of mind.
Taxes
Start compliant from day one, with tax guidance built around expats and businesses.
NIF / Bank
Get your Portuguese tax number (NIF) and a Portuguese bank account quickly and without the hassle.
Learn moreCompany Formation
Launch your business in Portugal with full legal support, from setting it up to registering it.
Employee Relocation
Move your team smoothly, with visa, tax and legal support at every step.
Portugal questions
Golden Visa: questions answered
Get answers to common questions about visa applications, requirements, and processes.
What is the minimum investment for the Portugal Golden Visa in 2026?
The lowest route is €250,000 towards cultural heritage projects. Investment funds and research activities require €500,000, and other qualifying pathways are also available.
Can I still get a Portugal Golden Visa by buying property?
No. Real estate purchases no longer qualify. You can still buy a home in Portugal, but the Golden Visa must be based on one of the eligible investment routes.
How long do I need to stay in Portugal on a Golden Visa?
You need 7 days in Portugal in the first year, then 14 days in every two-year period after that. This makes it one of the lightest stay requirements of any residence permit.
How long does the Golden Visa take?
Processing usually takes between six and eighteen months. The timing depends on your country, appointment availability and how quickly your documents are prepared.
When can I apply for Portuguese citizenship?
After five years. The count starts on the date your Golden Visa application is submitted, not when it is approved, and Portugal allows you to keep your current nationality.
Can my family be included in the Golden Visa?
Yes. Your spouse and children can apply with you, and dependants can also join the application at a later stage.
What documents prove the source of my investment funds?
Typical evidence includes bank statements, tax returns and sale agreements showing how the money was earned. The file must satisfy anti-money-laundering checks, so we review it carefully before submission.
Is the Golden Visa better than the D7 or D8?
It depends on your plans. The Golden Visa suits people who will not live in Portugal full time, because the stay requirement is minimal. If you intend to move permanently and have regular income, the D7 or D8 can be a simpler route.
Right here with you, wherever you're headed
Local offices. Global support.
Relocating is easier with people on your side. With offices in Portugal, the UK, the UAE, Turkey and Australia, our team is on the ground to help you settle in with confidence.
- PT
Coimbra, Portugal
Praça da República 9, Sala 8, 3070-304 Mira, Coimbra, Portugal +351 938 599 748 - GB
London, United Kingdom
30 Berkeley Square, Mayfair, London W1J 6EF, UK +44 (0) 203 393 1028 - AE
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Silicon Oasis, Digital Park, IFZA Buildings A2, Dubai +971 56 00 65 007 - TR
İstanbul, Turkey
Bostancı Mah, Bağdat Cad. No: 472/A, Kadıköy / İstanbul +90 530 754 35 67 - AU
Melbourne, Australia
Suite 329/98-100 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia +61 1300 440 170
Other services
More ways we help in Portugal
Ready to go?
Talk to an advisor Start your Golden Visa plan
Talk to an advisor about the investment routes, your source of funds and the timeline for your family.