The Portugal Golden Visa, in 2026.
Residency by investment in the EU, advised end to end by an independent partner - from choosing a qualifying route to holding the investment for the long term.
Residency by investment
What is the Portugal Golden Visa?
The Portugal Golden Visa is a residency-by-investment programme: in exchange for a qualifying investment in Portugal, an investor and their family obtain Portuguese residency, with the right to live, work and travel in the Schengen Area and, over time, a path to permanent residency and citizenship. It is administered by AIMA (the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum).
One point matters more than any other in 2026: the direct real-estate purchase route was removed in October 2023. Buying a property no longer qualifies for the Golden Visa on its own. The programme continues through the investment routes below, and any “from €280,000” figure you may have seen refers to the price of a specific property, not a Golden Visa qualifying amount.
01 · Qualifying routes
How you qualify in 2026.
As of 2026, the Golden Visa qualifies through investment (not real estate). The most common routes and their typical minimums:
| Route | Typical minimum (2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Regulated investment funds (CMVM) | from €500,000 | Fund at least 60% invested in Portuguese companies |
| Cultural heritage support | from €250,000 | Contribution to national artistic or heritage production |
| Eligible lower-density investment | from €200,000 | Designated lower-density areas |
| Scientific research | from €500,000 | Into accredited research institutions |
| Business & job creation | Job-based | Create or maintain qualifying Portuguese jobs |
Routes and minimums as of 2026, based on current programme guidance; amounts and eligibility change. Smith & Adams confirms the current position against AIMA before you commit.
02 · The process
How the Golden Visa works, step by step.
- Define your goals. Return, residency, family and timeline - so the route fits the outcome, not the other way round.
- Choose a qualifying route and complete due diligence on the specific investment (for a fund, its strategy, managers and CMVM regulation).
- Prepare and invest. Obtain a Portuguese tax number (NIF), open a bank account and make the qualifying investment.
- Apply through AIMA with the supporting documents, including proof of the investment and a clean criminal record.
- Give biometrics at an appointment in Portugal and receive the residence permit.
- Renew and maintain the investment and permit; over time, apply for permanent residency and, later, citizenship.
03 · Golden Visa vs D2
Golden Visa or D2: which route fits?
Portugal offers a second, often-overlooked route to residency: the D2 visa for entrepreneurs. The Golden Visa suits passive investors; the D2 suits those building a business here.
| Golden Visa | D2 Visa | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Passive investors | Entrepreneurs & business owners |
| Basis | Qualifying investment | Viable business plan |
| Entry amount | Route-dependent (from €200k–€500k) | No fixed minimum |
| Physical stay | Light-touch | Genuine residence, with justified-absence exceptions (Art. 85, Law 23/2007) |
| Path to citizenship | Yes, over time | Yes, over time |
See our full comparison on the Invest in Portugal page, where we set the two routes side by side.
Family, stay & citizenship
Family, stay and the path to citizenship.
Family. The Golden Visa allows family reunification - typically a spouse or partner, dependent children and dependent parents - subject to the current rules, so the whole family holds residency together.
Stay. The Golden Visa has a light-touch physical-presence requirement, which is why it suits investors who do not intend to relocate full time.
Citizenship. Golden Visa holders can move to permanent residency and, later, apply for Portuguese (and therefore EU) citizenship. The qualifying period is under legislative review in 2026, so we confirm the current timeline for your case before you rely on it.
Information as of 2026 and general in nature; not legal or tax advice. Golden Visa rules change - Smith & Adams confirms the current position for your case against official sources (AIMA).
Advised, not sold.
Independent counsel, accountable from the first analysis to long-term ownership.
Why Smith & Adams
Advisers, not brokers.
The Golden Visa is a means, not the goal. Our single mandate is your outcome: an independent read on which route (and which underlying investment) actually serves you, structured cleanly and held for the long term.
One team is accountable from first analysis to ongoing management, with net-of-cost, euro-denominated performance reported every quarter. Where an alternative route or provider is genuinely better for you, we say so.
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