So you’re ready to start your journey into acquiring Portuguese residency, but you’re stuck. How do you successfully secure your Portugal Golden Visa?
We’ve created a step-by-step guide on using the Portugal Golden Visa official website for your application.
You’ll learn about:
- How to navigate the Portugal Golden Visa government website
- How to submit your Portuguese Golden Visa application
- How to acquire permanent residency
- The Portugal Golden Visa program and its top benefits
- Portugal Golden Visa changes
Step-by-Step Instructions on Navigating the Portuguese Golden Visa Official Website
When applying for your Golden Visa, a key requirement is to pre-register via the Portugal Golden Visa government website and follow all the necessary steps. While the application process for the Golden Visa program is relatively simple, it can be challenging for those unfamiliar with the Portuguese bureaucratic system.
We’ve broken Portugal’s Golden Visa process into six easy steps.
Step 1: Determine your eligibility
If you tick the following boxes, congratulations! You’re eligible to apply for the Portugal Golden Visa program.
- Be a non-EU, non-swiss, or non-EEA citizen
- Hold a clean criminal record
- Have a valid passport
- You must spend at least seven days in Portugal for the first year and no less than 14 days each subsequent two-year period.
- Have enough funds to invest in (minimum investment requirements start from €250,000)
Do you have questions or concerns? Chat with one of our Portugal Golden Visa Consultants so we can understand your objectives and determine what you need to do to succeed.
Step 2: Choose your Golden Visa investment route
There are several investment routes to choose from. From venture capital funds and research projects to investing in scientific research, there’s a Golden Visa investment program for you to acquire your residence permit.
Below are the accepted investment routes, as stipulated by the official website for the Portugal Golden Visa.
Note that some of these investment routes have changed following new legislation on the Portugal Golden Visa changes. Following introducing new rules, some investment options, such as buying residential property and making capital transfers, no longer qualify for the program.
For more information, read up on the Portugal Golden Visa Changes article.
Investment options for the Portugal Golden Visa:
- Investment fund subscription: Contribute to a qualified Golden Visa investment fund (such as qualifying private equity funds or venture capital funds) worth at least €500,000. Investment funds have emerged as one of the most popular ways to apply for the Golden Visa program.
- Investment or donation in the arts or preserving national heritage with a donation of at least €250,000 (Read more: Portugal’s Cultural Production Golden Visa)
- Scientific research: Science or Technology research contribution of at least €500,000
- Creation of ten jobs: Creation and maintenance of ten jobs during the required period
- Share capital and job creation: Incorporation of a commercial company in the national territory or reinforcement of the share capital of an existing Portuguese business, in either case with an investment of €500,000, combined with the creation of five or maintaining ten full-time jobs (five of them permanent)
- Real estate investment: Acquire a real estate property worth more than €500,000 in Portugal (NO LONGER ELIGIBLE)
- Real estate purchase: Purchasing real estate property, with construction dating back more than 30 years or located in urban regeneration areas, for refurbishing for a total value equal to or above €350,000 (NO LONGER ELIGIBLE)
- Capital transfer: Make a transfer to a local bank account of a value equal to or above €1.5 million (NO LONGER ELIGIBLE)
If unsure about investment pathways, crunch some stats here on top nationalities and investment routes to residency in our Portugal Golden Visa Statistics guide.
Step 3: Look at the document requirements
Carefully read the required paperwork beforehand to avoid disappointments or delays in your application processing. Even better, start compiling your list of documents early so that you’re ready to go when the time comes to submit your application.
The document checklist is on AIMA’s (formerly SEF’s) website.
Important note regarding SEF:
Portugal has made significant changes in its approach to immigration services by dissolving the Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras (SEF), the immigration and borders service agency responsible for managing foreign documents, including Golden Visa applications. The Portuguese government introduced the Agency for Integration, Migration, and Asylum (AIMA) to replace SEF. The new agency will automatically shift and process all applications.
To learn more about the recent changes, please read our article AIMA Takes Over SEF
Step 4: Go to the ARI Portal and register
The next step is to register on the ARI Portal. Simply go to the Portal and create an account. Once you’ve done so and confirmed your email address, log into the portal with your account information and complete the registration process.
The following information needs to be supplied:
- Input a valid e-mail (optional if you have a legal representative)
- Select the type of investment you’d like to make
- Identification steps
- Submit passport copy
- Input your address and phone number, preferably in the national territory
- If you have a legal representative, submit their email address
Step 5: Submit the Golden Visa application via AIMA Portal
It’s time to lodge your Portugal Golden Visa application. Simply complete the following steps:
- Log in via the Portal ARI
- Complete the application and hit submit
- Upload the necessary documents according to your investment type
- Submit the application with all documents required (documents should be in PDF format with a maximum of 4MB)
- Confirm application submission
- Proceed to “Payment”
- Supply your NIF number (tax registration number)
- Print the Single Collecting Document (DUC) with the analysis fee
- Submit the DUC in due time
- Wait to receive an e-mail from AIMA. They’ll either say your application has been accepted and you can schedule an appointment with an AIMA representative, or you must submit the application again.
Step 6: Book an appointment with an AIMA representative
After AIMA validates your application, you can schedule an appointment with an agent.
Do the following:
- Login at Portal ARI
- When you get to your application page, go to “Calendar”
- Select the bureau service (availability is guaranteed in several SEF bureau offices in Portugal
- Select Year/Month
- Select Day
- Select Time (if the vacancy is no longer available, schedule another date)
- After receiving an email confirmation with your appointment details, you must visit an AIMA bureau service to deliver the necessary documents and submit biometric data.
Step 7: Receive your Portugal Golden Visa
Roughly four months after you visit an AIMA agent, and provided that your application is approved, you just need to pay the government permit issue fee; you can collect your residence card or get them to send it to your nominated address.
Take a look at our Portugal Golden Visa Ultimate Guide by local experts
Portugal Golden Visa Program: An Overview
What is the Portuguese Golden Visa program?
The Portugal Golden Visa program is an attractive five-year residency by investment initiative for non-EU nationals. Investors must first invest in the nation and are, in return, for permanent residency cards. Family members are also eligible for the Portugal residence permit.
The Portugal Golden Visa program provides a quick, efficient pathway for non-EU nationals to enter the European Union since it allows applicants to live, work, or study in Portugal, an EU member state. After five years of holding your investment, acquiring Portuguese citizenship (and therefore EU citizenship) is possible, provided that a basic language test is passed.
Key benefits of the Portugal Golden Visa Program
- Family reunification: Your dependent family can be included in the application. This means your family can also enjoy the same freedom of opportunities and a second residence in Portugal.
- Attractive investment options: The Portuguese Golden Visa offers several attractive investment options, including donations, capital transfer, job creation, and research activities. Investors can choose the option that best suits their financial goals and preferences, including affordable investments starting from €250,000.
- Free movement within the Schengen Area: Golden Visa holders gain access to the Schengen Area, allowing them to freely enter and move within its 27 countries without an additional visa.
- Pathway to permanent residency permit and Portuguese citizenship: After five years of being a legal resident in Portugal, you may become eligible to apply for permanent residency and Portuguese citizenship (and consequently European citizenship), which allows you to get a Portuguese passport.
- Low physical presence requirement: The Golden Visa program has a minimum stay requirement in Portugal (14 days every two years), making it accessible to investors who do not want to live in the country full-time.
- Opportunity to live in a country with a high quality of life: With a Golden Visa, you’d have legal residency status in Portugal, allowing you to live in a country that often ranks highly in quality of life indices and safety and security rankings.
Eligibility criteria for the Golden Visa Portugal
To be eligible for the Portuguese Golden Visa, individuals must:
- Be either non-EU, non-Swiss, or non-EEA nationals
- Make a qualifying investment in Portugal (there’s a minimum investment of €250,000)
- Have a criminal record proving the absence of conviction in a crime punishable in Portugal for one year or more
- Spend a minimum of 14 days in Portugal for each two-year period (this is called the stay requirement)
Delays to Portugal’s Golden Visa program
AIMA faces a large backlog of residency, family reunification, and citizenship applications. In 2023, there are more than 300,000 outstanding cases to process. It now aims to clear the backlog by mid-2025. In the meantime, Portugal Golden Visa delays persist, and applicants should expect at least 18 months for their applications to be processed.
Why choose Global Citizen Solutions for your Immigration Visa?
GLOBAL APPROACH BY LOCAL EXPERTS
- GCS has offices located across Portugal.
- Members of the US-Portugal and UK-Portugal Chambers of Commerce in Portugal, and the Investment Migration Council (IMC).
- Our expert team can help you throughout your journey to secure your Visa.
100% APPROVAL RATE
- Our successful track record in applications provides reassurance to applicants.
- We have helped clients from more than 35 countries secure residency in Portugal.
ALL-ENCOMPASSING SOLUTION
- With a single channel of communication, our approach ensures that you have complete clarity on your application.
- Our BeGlobal® Onboarding System allows for a total flow of information.
TRANSPARENCY AND PRIVACY
- Our pricing is clear and detailed, you will not face any hidden costs.
- All data is stored within a GDPR-compliant database on a secure SSL-encrypted server.
Frequently Asked Questions About Portugal's Golden Visa Official Website
Does the Portugal Golden Visa lead to a permanent residence permit?
Yes, the Portugal Golden Visa can be converted to a permanent residency permit, provided that you can prove you’ve been residing in Portugal for at least five years.
Is Portugal citizenship possible with the Golden Visa?
Portugal citizenship is absolutely possible. To apply for Portuguese citizenship, you must hold your Golden Visa for a minimum of five years, and apply for Portuguese citizenship in the fifth year. It’s worth noting that Portugal recognizes dual citizenship. This means you wouldn’t have to renounce any existing citizenships provided those countries also allow dual citizenship.
What are the benefits of applying for the Golden Visa program in Portugal?
Besides acquiring a residence permit for yourself and your immediate family members, you can get a permanent residence card after five years and Portuguese citizenship after five years.
Does the Golden Visa let you live in Portugal?
Yes, it does. Essentially, the Golden Visa program provides residency by investment by granting a temporary residence permit to live, work, and study in Portugal freely and travel within the European Union’s Schengen Area without a visa. The temporary residence permit can be converted to a permanent residence permit and card, provided that you have lived in the country for five years.
What are my investment options for the Golden Visa program?
You can choose from a mix of options, including investing in a venture capital fund (or other qualifying investment funds), investing in private scientific research institutions, a job creation route, and donations to arts and cultural heritage projects. Golden Visa program applicants must maintain their investment activity for five years to qualify for a residence permit and citizenship.
In 2024, it will no longer be possible to qualify for the Portugal Golden Visa scheme through property investment (buying real estate in Portugal) or completing a capital transfer. If you’re interested in Golden Visa programs with real estate investment options, you can consider the Spanish and Greek Golden Visa programs.
What is the official website for Portugal visa?
The official website for the Portugal Golden Visa is: https://aima.gov.pt/pt/viver/autorizacao-de-residencia-para-investimento-art-90-o-a
How can I access the official website for Portugal's Golden Visa?
To access the official website for the Portugal Golden Visa, please go to: https://aima.gov.pt/pt/viver/autorizacao-de-residencia-para-investimento-art-90-o-a
What information can I find on the official website for the Portugal Golden Visa?
The Golden Visa Official website is primarily an informational resource where you can find details about the program, its requirements, and application procedures.
Are there any fees associated with using the official website?
Using the Portugal Golden Visa website, provided by the Portuguese government’s Immigration and Borders Service AIMA, which has now replaced SEF, does not involve any fees for accessing information or guidance related to the Golden Visa program.
How can I open a Portuguese bank account for my Golden Visa funds?
To open a local bank account, Global Citizen Solutions can introduce you to a competent English-speaking banker in Portugal who can open a bank account before you even come to Portugal.
Having a Portuguese bank account is still mandatory for the Portugal Golden Visa program, but with a key change as of October 2023: You can no longer qualify for the Golden Visa by simply depositing a certain amount of money into a Portuguese bank account (or via a property investment).
However, a Portuguese bank account is still needed for other investment routes that do qualify in terms of transferring funds to invest in Portugal and managing your finances in Portugal after obtaining the Golden Visa.
