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Golden Visa / ARI (Fund Route)

Real-estate route is gone — only fund investment, job creation, research, or cultural contribution now qualify.

Buying property has not counted towards the Golden Visa since the 2023 Mais Habitação law. The citizenship timeline was extended to 10 years from 19 May 2026.

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Official program name
Autorização de Residência para Investimento (ARI / Golden Visa)
Program category
Investing in a qualifying business, fund, or approved asset
Current status
Active and accepting applications (real-estate acquisition route removed)
Best suited for
Investors willing to route capital through a qualifying fund, research contribution, cultural donation, or job-creation commitment — not real-estate buyers
Overview
Portugal's Golden Visa survives, but its most popular historical route — direct real-estate purchase — was removed in 2023 under the "Mais Habitação" law. What remains: investment in a qualifying fund (€500,000), research contribution (€500,000), cultural contribution (€250,000), or creating 10 jobs. Separately, Portugal's citizenship residency requirement was extended from a shorter period to 10 years (7 for CPLP/EU nationals) under a nationality-law reform that took effect May 19, 2026.
Minimum investment
€500,000 (qualifying fund or research route); €250,000 (cultural contribution); or 10 jobs created
Active involvement required
No — this is a passive investment route
Residence status granted
Temporary residence permit, renewable
Family inclusion
Yes — family reunification
Spouse work rights
Yes
Permanent residence pathway
Conditional — PR after 5 years; citizenship now requires 10 years of residence (7 for CPLP/EU) as of the May 2026 reform
Official source
aima.gov.pt; vistos.mne.gov.pt

Want more background?

Our guide explains how this route works in practice and what to prepare first.

Read the Portugal guide →

Directional guidance only, not immigration or investment advice. Confirm current qualifying fund lists and citizenship-timeline transitional rules with AIMA. Last verified September 15, 2026.