Obtaining a residence permit in Portugal under the Golden Visa program. Service offer

The Portugal’s Golden Visa is the official mechanism for obtaining a residence permit by foreign investors who are citizens of non-EU countries.

Advantages of the programme

allows living in Portugal;

allows visa-free travel to the Schengen countries;

allows engaging in any professional or commercial activity in Portugal;

allows setting up companies and opening accounts at European banks;

gives access to high-quality healthcare and education (for both children and adults);

for keeping the status, it is sufficient to stay in Portugal at least 7 days per year and to renew the residence permit card in time;

allows applying for permanent residence or citizenship after 5 years of being a resident (no need to renounce previous citizenship).

IMPORTANT: A bill proposing to extend the required residency period for naturalization to 10 years is now again being considered in Parliament*.

*As of March 2026.

Basic requirements for the applicant

be a national of a non-EU country;
be over 18 years old;
have a clean criminal record;
hold valid health insurance;
have no outstanding debts to tax or other Portuguese authorities;
provide proof of legitimate source of investment money (confirmation that the capital was obtained outside Portugal);
make an investment.

Requirements for the investment

The investor can choose one of the following options (the minimum investment sum depends on the investment instrument):

• Buying shares in investment funds – from EUR 500 000.

The investor purchases shares in Portuguese-registered funds that focus on capitalization of compa-nies.

Minimum investment period: 5 years.

Return of investment: Shares cannot be sold within 5 years after receiving the residency. The inves-tor can expect both a return on the invested capital and potentially profit from the increased value of the shares.

• Supporting cultural heritage – from EUR 200 000 (for low-density areas) / from EUR 250 000 (for other areas).

A non-refundable contribution.

• Supporting scientific research – from EUR 250 000.

A non-refundable contribution.

• Investment in an existing business – from EUR 500 000 + creating at least 5 new jobs.

• Starting a new company – no statutory required investment amount; the mandatory requirement is to create at least 10 jobs.

Family members who may be included in the application

Spouse, legally married or common-law;
Minor children – no additional conditions;
Children aged 18 to 26 – subject to all of the following conditions:
- unmarried;
- studying at a Portuguese higher education institution.
Parents of the investor and of their spouse – subject to proof of financial dependence.

Procedure and timeline

Preliminary due diligence

Analyzing investor documents and data, identifying risks, and selecting alternative solutions (if necessary).

Obtaining a tax identification number (NIF) for the investor (under a power of attorney)

A tax identification number is required for renting and buying real estate, opening a bank account, purchasing investment fund shares, making contracts, and accessing healthcare and government services.

Opening a bank account (if applicable)

Meeting the investment requirement

Collecting documents and submitting the application:

compiling a complete set of documents (translations, notarizations);
submitting the application and supporting documents to the Agency for Integration, Migration, and Asylum (Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo / AIMA).

Submitting biometric data:

appointment with AIMA;
in-person submission of documents;
receiving temporary status confirmation (entitles an applicant to reside in the country until their cards are issued).

Approval and obtaining of residence permit cards:

review of original documents;
payment of government fees;
making and issuing of cards (residence permit cards do not have to be collected personally).

Total processing time: from 8 to 12 months from the application date to receipt of residence permit cards*.

*The application review timeline by government authorities is not guaranteed and is outside GSL Law & Consulting’s control.

Residence permit validity period: the first residence permit card is issued for 2 years, then it can be renewed an unlimited number of times for a period of 3 years.

Residence permit retention requirements:

retaining the investment (for the options where this requirement may apply);
spending in the country 7 days a year (7 days during the first year, 14 days during each subsequent two-year period);
renewing the residence permit cards in good time.

Fees*

Services

Fees (EUR)**

Assistance in obtaining a residence permit in Portugal under the Golden Visa program via Investment Funds and Cultural Heritage options:

- for the main applicant (investor)	12 000
- for a family member (each).	3 000

The fee includes:
• advice on obtaining a residence permit in Portugal under the Golden Visa program;
• assistance in filling in application forms;
• advice on preparing supporting documents for the application;
• obtaining a tax identification number in Portugal under a power of attorney;
• assistance with selecting an investment instrument;
• assistance with getting health insurance;
• assistance with opening a bank account (for investment in investment fund shares);
• submitting a residence permit application under the Golden Visa program and supporting documents to AIMA;
• personalized support and accompanying the applicants in Portugal for submitting biometric data to obtain a residence permit card.

Payment procedure:
70% payable in advance;
30% payable before submitting the residence permit application under the Golden Visa program and a package of supporting documents to AIMA.

The following costs are not included in the fee and are payable by the applicant additionally:
• government fees and duties related to the application review and issuance of a residence permit:
- application fee – EUR 605;
- residence permit card fee – EUR 605 (per each).
• notarization, apostille, and legalization of supporting documents; notarized translation of supporting documents;
• courier delivery of documents;
• health insurance;
• expenses, fees, and duties related to making the investment.

*The fees are valid as of March 2026.

**Not including VAT.

Are you interested in the offer?

from EUR 12 000

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