Portugal Golden Visa 2026: Investment Residency Program | Rona Legal
Obtain EU residency through Portugal's Golden Visa program. Learn about 2026 investment options (€250k-€500k), citizenship pathway, family reunification, and application process.
Portugal Golden Visa, Portugal Investment Visa, EU Residency by Investment, Portugal Citizenship, Golden Visa 2026, Investment Funds Portugal, Rona Legal
Portugal Golden Visa:
European residency for you and your family through Portugal's Golden Visa programme. Note that the citizenship timeline changed on 19 May 2026: seven years of residence for EU and CPLP nationals, ten years for everyone else.
Your Gateway to EU
Through Strategic Investment
Investment Routes for 2026
Portugal has restructured its Golden Visa program, removing residential real estate qualifying investment. Here are the current investment options:
Investment Funds
Capital transfer to qualifying private equity or venture capital funds registered with CMVM (Portuguese Securities Market Commission). Funds must invest at least 60% in Portuguese companies and have a minimum 5-year maturity period.
Cultural Heritage & Arts
Investment in artistic production or recovery/maintenance of national cultural heritage. This amount is reduced to €200,000 in low-density areas.
Scientific Research
Investment in research activities conducted by public or private institutions integrated into the national scientific and technological system.
Job Creation
Creating a minimum of 10 new full-time jobs in Portugal, OR investing €500,000 in a Portuguese company with creation of 5 permanent jobs or maintaining 10 jobs for 3 years.
Golden Visa Benefits
The Portugal Golden Visa offers extensive advantages for investors and their families:
EU Residency
Legal residency in Portugal with the right to live, work, and study throughout the country.
Schengen Access
Visa-free travel across 27 Schengen Area countries in Europe.
Path to Citizenship
Eligibility to apply for Portuguese citizenship after seven years of lawful residence for EU and CPLP nationals, or ten years for all other nationalities (Lei Orgânica n.º 1/2026, in force 19 May 2026).
Family Reunification
Include spouse/partner, dependent children, and financially dependent parents in your application.
Minimal Stay Requirements
Only 7 days in the first year, and 14 days per subsequent 2-year period.
Tax Advantages
Option to benefit from Portugal's Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) tax regime with significant tax reductions.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the Portugal Golden Visa program, applicants must meet the following criteria:
Must be at least 18 years old
Clean Record
No criminal record in Portugal or country of origin
Non-EU Citizen
Golden Visa is for non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals
Investment Maintenance
Maintain qualifying investment for minimum 5 years
Health Insurance
Proof of full private healthcare coverage in Portugal
Legal Source of Funds
Investment funds must originate from outside Portugal with documented legal source
Application Process with Rona Legal
We manage the entire Golden Visa process on your behalf, from initial consultation to residence card issuance.
Investment Strategy & Selection
We analyze your profile and help select the most suitable investment route based on your goals, risk tolerance, and budget. Full due diligence on investment opportunities.
Legal Setup & Documentation
We obtain your NIF (Tax Number), open Portuguese bank accounts, prepare all required documentation (criminal records, proof of funds, etc.), and attend to compliance with Portuguese immigration law.
Investment Execution
Facilitate the investment transaction with legal oversight. For fund investments, we work with CMVM-registered fund managers. All transactions are conducted with full legal protection.
Application Submission & Follow-up
Submit your complete Golden Visa application to AIMA (Agency for Integration, Migrations and Asylum). We handle all communications, responses to queries, and appointment scheduling throughout the 12-18 month processing period.
Biometrics & Card Collection
Coordinate your biometric appointment in Portugal and residence card collection. Your card is valid for 2 years initially, renewable for successive 3-year periods.
Expected Timeline
The Golden Visa process typically takes 12-18 months from initial application to residence card issuance. Key milestones:
Investment selection, document gathering, NIF and bank account
Preparation
Executing the qualifying investment transaction
Investment
AIMA review and approval process
Application Processing
Final appointment and residence card issuance
Biometrics & Card
Program Costs
In addition to your qualifying investment (€250,000-€500,000), budget for the following fees:
* Costs are estimates and may vary based on exchange rates and family size. Investment amount is maintained separately and is not an expense.
Golden Visa Application Fee
Residence Card Fee (Initial 2 years)
Renewal Fee (Every 3 years)
Legal & Advisory Fees
Document Translation & Apostille
Path to Portuguese Citizenship
Under Lei Orgânica n.º 1/2026, in force from 19 May 2026, the residence period before a citizenship application is seven years for EU and CPLP nationals and ten years for all other nationalities — replacing the former five-year rule. Time counts only for lawful residence under a valid permit and runs from the date the permit is issued. Further requirements also apply:
Portuguese citizenship grants you full EU citizenship with all associated rights, including the ability to live, work, and study anywhere in the European Union.
Seven years of lawful residence (EU/CPLP) or ten years (all other nationalities), with the investment maintained
Basic Portuguese language proficiency (A2 level)
No serious criminal record
Knowledge of Portuguese culture and society
Effective ties to Portugal (property ownership, employment, family, etc.)
Frequently asked questions
Can I still qualify through real estate?
No. The residential real estate route was removed in October 2023. The remaining routes are capital-based, with fund subscription the most used, alongside cultural and artistic contribution options.
What are the current investment routes?
Principally a capital transfer into qualifying private equity or venture capital funds registered with the CMVM, which must invest a majority of their capital in Portuguese companies and have a minimum term. Cultural and artistic contributions sit at lower thresholds.
How long must the investment be held?
At least five years, and it has to be maintained throughout the residence period. Disposing of it early puts the permit at risk regardless of how long the applicant has held the card.
What is the physical stay requirement?
The programme is built around a low presence requirement, averaging a small number of days per year. That is enough to maintain the permit; it is not enough to satisfy naturalisation, which turns on actual residence.
How long until citizenship now?
Seven years of lawful residence for EU and CPLP nationals and ten years for all other nationalities, under Lei Orgânica n.º 1/2026 in force from 19 May 2026. The former five-year rule no longer applies, and time runs from the date the permit was issued rather than the application date.
Can family members be included?
Family reunification is available within the programme, with the eligible relatives and the evidence required set by the immigration rules. Each family member's own timeline for naturalisation is assessed separately.
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