Portugal's golden visa still exists in 2026, but two things have changed that most older guides get wrong. Real estate no longer qualifies — it was removed in 2023, and the dominant route is now a €500,000 qualifying investment fund. And since 19 May 2026, the residency needed for citizenship is 10 years, not 5 (7 years for EU nationals and citizens of Portuguese-speaking countries). The investment programme itself was not touched by that change — the naturalisation clock was. The stay requirement remains light: an average of about 7 days per year.
What does the Portugal golden visa actually give you?
It is residence by investment: a qualifying investment leads to a renewable Portuguese residence permit with an unusually low physical-stay requirement, giving you the right to live in Portugal and travel in the Schengen area. It is designed for investors who want EU residency without relocating full-time. It does not make you a citizen — that is a separate, later application with its own conditions.
What investments still qualify in 2026?
| Route | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Qualifying investment fund | €500,000 |
| Cultural heritage contribution | €250,000 |
| Scientific research contribution | €500,000 |
| Company investment + job creation | €500,000 into an existing Portuguese company + 5 new jobs |
| Job creation only | 10 new full-time jobs (no capital minimum) |
The €500,000 fund route is where the large majority of new applications now go. The fund must be constituted under Portuguese law, have a maturity of at least five years at the time of investment, and invest at least 60% of its value in commercial companies headquartered in Portugal. Critically, it must have no direct or indirect real-estate exposure — a fund that routes back into property does not qualify, which is exactly the trap the 2023 reform was written to close.
Is real estate still an option?
No. The property purchase route was abolished in 2023. If a website, agent or brochure is still offering you a Portuguese golden visa "through real estate" in 2026, that is a reliable signal to walk away — either the information is years out of date, or you are being sold something that will not produce the permit.
Fund quality varies enormously, and your money is committed for years in an illiquid vehicle. Have a lawyer independently confirm the fund's eligibility, structure, maturity and real-estate exposure before you transfer anything — approval for the visa is not a judgement on the investment.
How long until citizenship? (This changed in May 2026)
This is the most important update for anyone planning around the programme. Portugal's revised Nationality Law was approved by Parliament on 1 April 2026, promulgated by the President on 3 May 2026 and came into force on 19 May 2026. It extends the residency required to naturalise:
- 10 years for most applicants (previously 5);
- 7 years for EU nationals and citizens of Portuguese-speaking countries — including Brazil, Angola, Mozambique and Cape Verde.
Two things worth being precise about. First, this is not a golden-visa rule: it applies to every legal residency status in Portugal, so the change is about naturalisation generally, not about investors specifically. Second, permanent residence is unaffected — golden visa holders can still apply for it after five years, which gives a long-term right to live and work in Portugal without keeping the investment in place. Losing five years on the passport is not the same as losing the residency.
There is also a reported transitional rule about when your clock starts — broadly, whether it runs from the date you paid your submission fee or from the date your card is issued, depending on timing around the law's publication. That distinction can be worth years, and it is precisely the kind of point to confirm with a Portuguese lawyer on your own dates rather than to assume from a guide.
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How much time must I spend in Portugal?
An average of roughly 7 days per year — the defining feature of the programme and the reason it suits people who cannot relocate. Compare that with Portugal's ordinary residence routes, such as the D7 or the digital nomad visa, which expect you to actually live there. If your goal is to move, the golden visa is usually the expensive way to do it.
How long does the application take?
Budget 12–18 months from submission to your first residence card. Biometric appointments have been reported at roughly 6–9 months after submission, varying by office and filing date. The bottleneck is AIMA, the immigration agency that replaced SEF and inherited a large backlog; officials reported around 386,000 residence permits issued in 2025 — roughly 60% more than 2024 — and say the majority of pending files have been cleared. Timelines are improving, but plan for a year-plus, not for weeks.
Figures last verified July 2026 against the sources listed at the end of this guide. This programme has been amended repeatedly — routes, amounts and the naturalisation period have all moved in recent years. Confirm current eligibility with AIMA or a Portuguese lawyer before you transfer any money.
What is the process, in outline?
- Obtain a Portuguese tax number (NIF) and open a bank account;
- Complete due diligence on the route — for a fund, its eligibility and real-estate exposure;
- Make the qualifying investment;
- Compile the application, including a clean criminal record certificate;
- Submit, pay fees, attend biometrics, and renew on schedule while keeping the investment in place;
- After five years, consider permanent residence — and note the 10-year (or 7-year) clock for citizenship.
Frequently asked questions
Can I still get the golden visa through buying property?
Do not assume so. Real-estate routes have been restricted, and some previously popular property categories have been removed, so a property purchase may no longer qualify. The eligible routes now centre on qualifying funds and other approved investment or contribution categories. Because the rules have changed more than once, verify the current qualifying routes and figures with a lawyer before transferring any money.
How much time do I actually have to spend in Portugal to keep the permit?
A defining feature of the golden visa is its low minimum-stay requirement compared with ordinary residence — you generally need to spend only limited time in Portugal each year to keep the permit valid. That is exactly what makes it attractive to people who cannot relocate full-time. Confirm the current stay obligation with a lawyer, since specifics are set by regulation.
Does the golden visa lead to an EU passport?
It can lead toward permanent residence or citizenship, but only after you have held residency for the required number of years and met the conditions, which can include a basic language requirement. The exact period and conditions are subject to the rules in force at the time, so confirm the current requirements rather than relying on older accounts.
What does the application process look like in outline?
In broad terms you get a Portuguese tax number (NIF) and open a bank account, make the qualifying investment through an approved route, compile the application with the required documents and a clean criminal record, then submit, attend biometrics, and renew on the required schedule. A lawyer can confirm which route and documents fit your situation before you commit funds.
Can I still get it through real estate?
Real-estate routes have been restricted; do not assume a property purchase qualifies. Check the current approved routes before planning around property.
Do I have to live in Portugal?
No — only a limited minimum stay is required to maintain the permit, which is the programme's main appeal.
Does it lead to an EU passport?
It can lead toward citizenship after the required years and conditions are met, subject to the rules in force at the time.
Official sources
Rules, fees and thresholds change. Confirm anything in this guide with the official source before you act.
- Portal das Finançastax authority
- AIMAimmigration authority
- Ordem dos Advogadosbar association — verify a lawyer