Mexican citizens can apply for residency in Portugal through the Golden Visa by making a qualifying investment. This page sets out who qualifies, the routes that remain open, and what to confirm before you act.
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.
The Golden Visa is open to citizens of countries outside the European Union, the European Economic Area and Switzerland. Mexican citizens fall within that group, so nationality alone does not exclude you.
You must be at least eighteen, hold a clean criminal record, and show that the funds you invest were lawfully obtained. AIMA applies strict checks on the source of funds, and applications with missing documents can be refused outright. Mexico permits its citizens to hold more than one nationality, so acquiring Portuguese status later does not by itself require giving up your Mexican passport. Confirm both positions with the official authority and a licensed professional.
Qualifying investment now centres on capital routes rather than property purchase. Commonly cited options include a subscription into an approved investment or venture capital fund, a contribution to scientific research, a contribution to cultural heritage, and the creation of a business with job creation in Portugal.
Each route carries its own minimum and conditions, and the eligible categories have changed over time. Treat the figures below as indicative and verify the route you intend to use with AIMA before transferring any money.
After your investment and a complete application, AIMA reviews the file and, once approved, issues a residence card that is renewed across the qualifying period. Processing has faced a significant backlog, so plan for a wait that can run well beyond a year from submission to card issuance.
Residence can lead toward permanent residence and, in time, an application for citizenship. The qualifying residence period before naturalisation has been under reform, with a longer track applying to nationals of countries outside the European Union and outside the Community of Portuguese Language Countries. Mexico belongs to neither group, so confirm the current required period with the official authority.
Beyond the qualifying investment itself, expect government application and card fees per applicant, professional and legal fees, and the cost of gathering and translating documents. The table below lists the headline items. Confirm every current figure with AIMA, since amounts are revised from time to time.
| Item | Indicative amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Investment fund subscription | From 500,000 EUR | Approved venture capital or private equity fund that meets the rules |
| Cultural heritage contribution | From 250,000 EUR | Supports national cultural heritage |
| Scientific research contribution | From 500,000 EUR | Reduced amount can apply in low density areas |
| Business and job creation | Business plus ten jobs | Create a company that employs people in Portugal |
| Government and card fees | Confirm the current figure with the official authority | Charged per applicant and on renewal |
| Professional and translation fees | Confirm the current figure with the official authority | Varies by adviser and family size |
Figures are indicative and current as of June 2026. Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) publishes the binding detail. Verify before you act.
Yes. The programme is open to citizens of countries outside the European Union, the European Economic Area and Switzerland, which includes Mexican nationals who meet the investment and integrity conditions.
The property purchase route has been removed. Qualifying investment now centres on capital routes such as approved funds, research and cultural heritage. Confirm the eligible categories with AIMA before acting.
Portugal does not require you to renounce a prior nationality on naturalisation, and Mexico permits multiple nationality. Confirm both positions with the official authority and a licensed professional, since rules change.
Residence can lead toward citizenship after a qualifying period of lawful residence, which has been under reform with a longer track for nationals from outside the European Union and the Community of Portuguese Language Countries. Confirm the current period with AIMA.
The Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum, known as AIMA, administers residence permits in Portugal. Always verify current rules at the official source.
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.
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