A free PDF guide — 7 days a year in the country
A guide to the Golden Visa of Portugal:the funds, the timings and the terms
Residence in the European Union with the mildest presence requirement there is — 7 days a year. Property has been taken out of the programme; we set out the options in force, the budget, the choice of fund and the path to an EU passport.
- PDF in English
- Free of charge
- Verified on 11.08.2026
- Sent by email, WhatsApp or Telegram
Preliminary information is not a guarantee of approval. Whether the programme is open to you and the final cost are settled after the check on the applicant.
01 / The essentials first
What to know about the programme before the calculation
Four things that decide both the budget and what the status will actually give you.
- Property has been taken out of the programme
Since October 2023 you cannot buy a property and obtain the status on it. The main option now in force is units in a licensed fund supervised by the CMVM, from €500,000.
- Only 7 days a year in the country
One of the mildest presence requirements in Europe. On that footing you do not become a tax resident of Portugal — residence arises from actually living there.
- The path to an EU passport is the longest of the mild ones
The right to naturalisation opens after 10 years. In return you do not have to live in the country through those years: meeting the days requirement is enough.
- One application for the whole family
A spouse, children and dependent parents are included in one status. New members of the family can be added after the residence permit has been granted.
02 / The budget
The budget for your family
Choose the option and the family. The state fees rose in March 2026 and are confirmed on the date of filing — in the quotation they stand on a line of their own.
03 / Two options
A fund or cultural projects
Both give the same status. They differ in the threshold, in whether the money comes back and in how hard they are to evidence.
The values were checked against the official material on 11.08.2026. Only the rows for which there is no official wording are marked separately.
| Criterion | The fundUnits supervised by the CMVM from €500,000 | CultureProjects from €200,000 |
|---|---|---|
| The size of the investment | €500,000 | €200,000 |
| What happens to the money | units in a fund, returned on the fund’s terms | a non-refundable contribution to a project |
| Supervision | the fund is licensed and supervised by the CMVM | the project is approved by the responsible authority |
| How hard it is to evidenceA BRIDGES estimate | the standard procedure | stricter: the project has to be approved |
| The share of applicantsA BRIDGES estimate | more than 78% | a small one |
| Presence in the country | 7 days a year | 7 days a year |
| Who it usually suitsA BRIDGES estimate | You want a predictable, well-worn path | You are ready to put money into a project with no return |
- The size of the investment
- €500,000
- €200,000
- What happens to the money
- units in a fund, returned on the fund’s terms
- a non-refundable contribution to a project
- Supervision
- the fund is licensed and supervised by the CMVM
- the project is approved by the responsible authority
- How hard it is to evidenceA BRIDGES estimate
- the standard procedure
- stricter: the project has to be approved
- The share of applicantsA BRIDGES estimate
- more than 78%
- a small one
- Presence in the country
- 7 days a year
- 7 days a year
- Who it usually suitsA BRIDGES estimate
- You want a predictable, well-worn path
- You are ready to put money into a project with no return
Property was taken out of the programme in October 2023 and no longer gives any status.
04 / The country
What the country looks like
Briefly about the country and about what sets the terms of the programme.
- LisbonThe cover of the guide: the country and the key terms of the programme.
- The essentials firstWhat to know before the calculation: the key facts of the programme.
- The terms of the optionsThe parameters of the programme in one table, on the official terms.
- The road mapThe process step by step — from the check to the documents.
- The check on the applicantWhat is examined before the status is granted, and where people stumble.
- The limitsThe limits that bear on the timings and the sum.
- Your teamWho runs the case and what each specialist answers for.
05 / The order of work
How the process runs
Choosing the fund is the key step: it bears not on the status but on whether the money invested comes back.
- The preliminary check
The applicant’s nationality, the family, the source of funds. We settle the option and count the budget before the first outlay.
- Choosing the fund
The fund has to be licensed and supervised by the CMVM. Its strategy, its term, its fees and its exit terms are examined — the return of your investment depends on them.
- The account and the NIF
The Portuguese tax number and a bank account are arranged. Some of the steps go through a power of attorney, with no travel.
- The investment and the application
The funds are placed with the fund, the pack of documents is assembled and the application is filed. The state fees are paid at the rates on the date of application.
- Biometrics at AIMA
A trip to Portugal is needed only to give biometrics. Everything else is arranged remotely.
- The residence card and the renewals
The card is issued, then renewed. The whole process takes 6-18 months depending on how loaded the authority is.
07 / The check
What is examined before you enter a fund and before you file
Both the applicant and the fund itself are examined: the licence, the strategy and the exit terms.
- The source of funds
A clear chain from the earnings to the account the money is sent to the fund from. It is examined by the bank, by the management company and by the authority.
- The check on the fund
The CMVM licence, the strategy, the fees, the life of the fund and the exit terms. A mistake at this step affects not the status but the return of the money.
- The family
A spouse by registered marriage, children and dependent parents. Financial dependence is evidenced with documents.
- No criminal record, and insurance
Certificates of no criminal record from the country of nationality and the countries of long residence, and medical insurance for every participant.
The financial dependence of parents and of adult children is evidenced with documents — who can be in the application turns on it.
08 / The limits
What has changed and what to take into account
Five limits that bear on the budget, the timings and the return of the investment.
Property no longer qualifiesThe option closed in October 2023
Buying a property gives no right to the status. Offers of a «Portuguese Golden Visa through property» made after that date have no lawful basis.
The state fees have risenThe rates changed in March 2026
The duties on the application and the renewal have been revised. The exact sums for your application are confirmed on the date of filing, not taken from older quotations.
The processing time moves6-18 months depending on the load
The timings depend on the queues at the authority. Planning a move or a transaction for a fixed date on this programme is risky.
The return depends on the fundThis is not a guaranteed deposit
The fund’s units are returned on its own terms and on the results of its management. The strategy and the life of the fund are examined before you go in.
The path to a passport is longNaturalisation after 10 years
This is the longest period among the mild European programmes. In return no real residence is required — only that the days requirement is met.
09 / Your team
Who runs your case
The work is led by specialists in the European programmes and in dealing with funds.
The editorial record
The material was prepared and checked by
- First published
- 11 August 2026
- Last updated
- 11 August 2026
The official sources
- AIMA — the Agency for Integration, Migration and AsylumThe Government of Portugal · checked 11.08.2026The authority that receives the applications and issues the residence permit; the procedure and the timings.
- CMVM — the Portuguese securities market commissionComissão do Mercado de Valores Mobiliários · checked 11.08.2026Supervision of investment funds: the register of licensed funds that qualify for the programme.
- Diário da República — the official gazette of PortugalImprensa Nacional-Casa da Moeda · checked 11.08.2026Where changes in the law are published, including the removal of property and the revision of the fees.
10 / Common questions
Questions about the Golden Visa of Portugal
Can the status be obtained through property?
No. Property was taken out of the programme in October 2023. The options in force are units in a licensed fund from €500,000 and cultural projects from €200,000.
How many days a year do I have to spend in the country?
7 days in the first year — one of the mildest requirements in Europe. On that footing you do not become a tax resident of Portugal.
When can I apply for citizenship?
The right to naturalisation opens after 10 years. The status has to be maintained and the days requirement met throughout.
What does it cost all in?
On top of the investment come the state fees for your application, the fund’s charges and the legal work. The fee rates rose in March 2026, so the exact quotation is fixed on the date of filing.
Who is included in the application?
A spouse by registered marriage, children and dependent parents. New members of the family can be added after the status has been granted.
Do I have to travel to Portugal?
Only to give biometrics at AIMA. The investment and the documents are handled remotely, under a power of attorney.
How is the fund chosen?
The fund has to be licensed and supervised by the CMVM. Its strategy, fees, life and exit terms are examined: that choice decides whether the money comes back. More than 78% of applicants take this option.
How long does the process take?
6-18 months from the application to the status, depending on how loaded the authority is.
Free of charge
Take the guide and a quotation for your family
We will send the PDF with the options in force and a budget calculation for your family.
- The options in force now that property has been taken out
- The budget with the state fees and the fund’s charges
- What to look at when choosing a fund
- The days requirement and the path to citizenship