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ARI · Golden Visa

Golden Visa (ARI)

Last verified: 2026-08-02

Overview

The Golden Visa allows non-EU citizens to obtain residence in Portugal through a qualifying investment.

Eligibility requirements

  • General requirements

    Be a third-country national who cannot benefit from the regime for Portuguese, EU, EEA, Andorran or Swiss citizens.
  • Carry out one of the eligible investment activities provided by law.
  • Maintain the investment activity for the legal minimum of 5 years from the granting of the ARI.
  • Stay in Portugal at least 7 days, consecutive or interpolated, in the first year, and 14 days in each subsequent 2-year period.
  • Prove lawful entry and stay in Portugal.
  • Have means of subsistence and meet the remaining generally applicable legal conditions.
  • Have health coverage through the SNS or an internationally recognised health insurance.
  • Have no conviction for a crime punishable in Portugal by more than one year in prison, and no legal bars to entry/stay.
  • Have a regularised tax and social-security situation in Portugal, or prove the absence of registration when applicable.

  • Eligible investment modalities

    Job creation: creation of at least 10 jobs.
  • Scientific research: capital transfer ≥ €500,000 for research activities integrated into the national scientific and technological system.
  • Culture / heritage: capital transfer ≥ €250,000 for artistic production or recovery/maintenance of national cultural heritage.
  • Non-real-estate funds / CIUs: ≥ €500,000 in non-real-estate collective investment undertakings formed under Portuguese law, minimum 5-year maturity and at least 60% invested in commercial companies based in Portugal.
  • Commercial company: ≥ €500,000 to incorporate a Portuguese company + 5 permanent jobs; or reinforce capital of an existing company, creating at least 5 permanent jobs or maintaining at least 10 jobs, of which 5 permanent, for at least 3 years.

Required documents

General documents12
  • Valid passport or other travel document
  • Proof of lawful entry and stay in Portugal
  • Proof of health coverage: SNS or internationally recognised health insurance
  • Criminal record certificate from the country of origin or countries of residence for more than one year
  • Criminal certificate issued less than 3 months ago, duly authenticated and translated into Portuguese
  • Tax identification number or equivalent from the country of origin, residence or tax residence
  • Application authorising consultation of the Portuguese criminal record
  • Sworn declaration to maintain the minimum quantitative and temporal investment requirements
  • Certificates of regularised tax and social-security status with AT and Social Security or, when applicable, a declaration of no registration
  • Proof of payment of the ARI analysis fee
  • Portuguese NIF, required for processing/payment on the ARI Portal
  • Family documents when family reunification is requested (Optional)
Investment-specific documents6
  • Proof that the eligible investment was made
  • Proof of capital transfer, when applicable (Optional)
  • Declaration/certification from the competent entity regarding the investment made
  • Documents proving ownership of the investment, when applicable (Optional)
  • Company and job documentation when required by the chosen modality (Optional)
  • Fund/CIU-specific documents, including ownership of units and manager declaration, when applicable (Optional)

Full procedure

  1. 1
    PreparationOnline

    Choose investment

    Select an eligible investment modality provided by law.

  2. 2
    PreparationOnline

    Prepare NIF / structure

    Obtain a Portuguese NIF and prepare the structure needed for the investment.

  3. 3
    InvestmentIn person

    Make the investment

    Complete the eligible investment and gather proof of ownership and transfer.

  4. 4
    ARI PortalOnline

    Register on the ARI Portal

    Create the application online on the AIMA ARI Portal.

    https://aima.gov.pt
  5. 5
    ARI PortalOnline

    Submit documents and pay analysis fee

    Upload the documentation and pay the ARI analysis fee.

    https://aima.gov.pt
  6. 6
    AIMAOnline

    AIMA validation

    AIMA validates the application documents. Legal decision period for granting: 90 days.

  7. 7
    AIMAOnline

    Book appointment

    Book the in-person appointment for biometrics.

  8. 8
    AIMAIn person

    AIMA biometrics

    Attend the in-person appointment for biometric capture.

  9. 9
    AIMAOnline

    Approval and fee

    After approval, pay the ARI granting fee through the digital channel.

  10. 10
    AIMAOnline

    Receive ARI permit

    Receive the ARI residence permit and confirm renewal and stay requirements.

Summary and timelines

Prazo / Timeline

Variable — no consular phase. The application is submitted online on the ARI Portal, followed by document validation and an in-person appointment. Legal decision period for granting: 90 days.

Custo / Cost

€632.10 analysis + €6,314.20 ARI granting fee on the digital channel + chosen investment

Renovação / Renewal

Initial ARI: 2 years → renewals for 2-year periods, maintaining the investment and remaining requirements

Cidadania / Citizenship

As a rule, eligible after 7 years of legal residence for nationals of Portuguese-speaking countries and 10 years for other nationalities, subject to the remaining legal requirements

Perfil / Profile

Third-country investors seeking residence in Portugal through an eligible investment, with a reduced physical-presence requirement

  • Residential real estate excluded since October 2023

Taxas / Fees

  • AIMA analysis fee€632.10
  • ARI granting fee (digital channel, adult applicant)€6,314.20
  • Minimum investment (by modality)From €250,000