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Europe · Residency to citizenship

Residency by investment in Portugal

A residence permit earned through a qualifying fund, donation or research investment, with a path to citizenship after five years of lawful residence.

Invest from
EUR 500,000
Outcome
Residency to citizenship
Time to status
About 5 years to citizenship
Passport reach
about 190
Overview
Official authorityAgency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA)
Programme typeResidency to citizenship
Stay requiredAn average of seven days per year in Portugal across the residence period.
Information current as ofJune 2026

Information, not advice. Figures are indicative and current as of June 2026. Always confirm the present rules with the official program authority and a licensed professional before you act.

Official source →

What Portugal offers

A residence permit earned through a qualifying fund, donation or research investment, with a path to citizenship after five years of lawful residence. This page sets out the qualifying routes, the indicative cost, the timeline and what the status unlocks, drawn from AIMA and the Portuguese Golden Residence Permit framework. Every figure carries an as of date because these programmes change often, sometimes with little notice. Treat what follows as a starting map, not a final answer.

Qualifying routes

Investment fund subscription

from EUR 500,000

A subscription into a Portuguese fund regulated by the CMVM, with a term of at least five years and at least 60 percent invested in Portuguese companies. Funds with real estate exposure do not qualify.

Cultural and heritage donation

from EUR 250,000

A contribution to artistic production or the restoration of national heritage. Reduced to EUR 200,000 in designated low density territories.

Research and development

from EUR 500,000

A transfer of capital into approved research activity carried out by public or private institutions within the Portuguese science and technology system.

Job creation

at least 10 positions

Creation of at least ten permanent jobs, with a reduced count permitted in low density territories.

The Journey

A timeline of about 5 years to citizenship.

Step 1

Preparation

Confirm eligibility for your nationality, assemble documents and choose a route. An independent advisor is engaged on terms you control.

Step 2

Application

The file is submitted to Agency for Integration, Migration, with the qualifying investment placed or pledged as the rules require.

Step 3

Due diligence

Background and source of funds checks are completed. This stage protects the programme and, ultimately, the value of the status.

Step 4

Approval

Approval in principle is issued, followed by the formal grant once the investment and any remaining conditions are settled.

Step 5

Status and beyond

You receive your residence card or certificate. A separate path to citizenship may open later.

Indicative Costs

What it tends to cost.

A realistic budget has three parts, the qualifying investment, the government and processing charges, and your professional fees. The figures below are indicative and current as of June 2026. Family size, route and timing all move the total.

ItemIndicative amountNotes
Qualifying investmentEUR 500,000 and upVaries by route. Some routes are a non refundable contribution, others a recoverable investment.
Government and processingConfirm with the authorityApplication, due diligence and issuance charges set by Agency for Integration, Migration.
Professional feesAgreed in advanceYour advisor and legal costs. We help you judge whether a quote is fair.
DependantsPer person additionsSpouse, children and in some programmes parents can be added for further amounts.

Figures are indicative only. Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) publishes the binding fees. Verify before you act.

What It Unlocks

Beyond the document.

Mobility

A passport or residence that reaches about 190 destinations, depending on the source and the year.

Security

A considered second home and a lawful base for your family, held quietly for when it matters.

Continuity

Succession and stability that travel with you, independent of any single jurisdiction.

Questions

Before you go further.

Is this a guarantee of approval?

No. Every programme runs due diligence and reserves the right to refuse. A credible advisor will tell you honestly whether your case is strong before you spend.

Will the rules still be the same when I apply?

Possibly not. Investment migration rules change often. We date every figure and name the official authority so you can check the current position.

Does the route exist for my nationality?

Most programmes exclude certain nationalities. Confirm your eligibility first. If a route does not exist for you, we will say so rather than sell you a page.

How do you make money if firms do not pay you?

You do. We are an independent resource paid by the people we help, never by a government and never by an advisory firm. That is what keeps us candid.

Get Matched

Considering Portugal?

We will introduce you to independent advisors who know this programme well, in confidence and at no obligation. Your programme and country are noted for you below.

Information, not advice. Figures are indicative and current as of June 2026. Always confirm the present rules with the official program authority and a licensed professional before you act.

Thank you. Your enquiry is with us.

A member of the team will reply discreetly, usually within one business day, to understand your goals and introduce you to advisors worth your confidence.