PortugalARI
Autorização de Residência para Investimento
Portugal ARI — the Portuguese golden visa (residence by investment), a path to permanent residence and EU citizenship; the real estate route is currently excluded.
- What it is
- Portugal ARI — Portugal’s golden visa (residence by investment)
- Form
- Investment funds, business, job creation (real estate excluded)
- Advantage
- Few days of residence, a path to EU PR and citizenship
- Bottom line
- Portuguese citizenship after ~5 years
- Can you prepare
- Yes: choose an investment with the route to a passport in view
In plain words
Portugal ARI (Autorização de Residência para Investimento) is the official name of Portugal’s “golden visa”, its residence permit by investment. For many years it was one of the most popular programmes in Europe thanks to its famous advantage: a minimal residence requirement — on average only about 7 days a year — with a full path to EU permanent residence and citizenship.
An important change: since 2023 the property purchase route has been excluded from the programme. The qualifying investments now are investment in accredited investment funds, supporting a business and creating jobs, and contributions to science or culture. The amounts depend on the option chosen, and the capital goes into the real economy of Portugal.
The value of ARI lies in its combination of ease and result: you hardly need to live in the country, yet after the set period (about 5 years) the right to Portuguese citizenship — a full EU passport — opens up. It is one of the most convenient routes to European citizenship for those not ready to relocate. We help choose the investment and map out the route to the passport.
Who Portugal ARI suits
What matters about Portugal ARI
- Investment funds
- Business and jobs
- Science and culture
- ~7 days a year
- A path to an EU passport
- Schengen freedom
- PR and citizenship
- ~5 years to the passport
- For the family
- Real estate excluded
- Funds check
- Conditions have changed
How to obtain the golden visa
- 01Choosing the investment
- 02Preparing documents
- 03Investment and filing
- 04Residence permit and renewals
- 05EU PR and citizenship
What you need to know
- Portugal ARI is the official name of Portugal’s golden visa
- Famous for minimal residence (~7 days a year)
- Since 2023 the real estate route has been excluded
- The investment is funds, business, jobs, science/culture
- After ~5 years it opens the right to EU citizenship
Common mistakes
- Counting on the excluded real estate route
- Failing to evidence the source of funds
- Choosing a fund without checking its reliability
- Missing renewals and losing time towards citizenship
- Not planning the move to PR and a passport in advance
What this means for a BRIDGES client
We handle Portugal’s ARI golden visa end to end under the current rules: we help choose a reliable qualifying investment (real estate is excluded) and prepare the documents and evidence of funds. We map out the route from a residence permit with minimal residence to EU citizenship — for you and your whole family.
Frequently asked questions
01 /What is Portugal ARI?
Autorização de Residência para Investimento — the official name of Portugal’s golden visa, a residence permit by investment with a path to EU citizenship.
02 /Can the visa be obtained through real estate?
No, since 2023 the property purchase route has been excluded from the programme. Qualifying investments now are funds, business, job creation, science and culture.
03 /How long do you need to live in Portugal?
Very little — on average about 7 days a year. That is the programme’s main advantage: a path to an EU passport almost without relocating.
04 /After how many years is citizenship possible?
The right to apply for Portuguese citizenship opens after about 5 years, subject to the conditions and renewals. It is a full EU passport.
05 /What should you invest in now?
Most often an accredited investment fund; supporting a business, creating jobs, or a contribution to science or culture are also possible. We choose a reliable option.
06 /Does it extend to the family?
Yes, the status is granted to the applicant and family members. They all follow the path to EU PR and citizenship together.
See also
Read next
This material has undergone editorial review by BRIDGES.
An EU passport without relocating?
We will choose an investment for Portugal’s golden visa and map out the route to EU citizenship — with minimal residence.