Visa

Golden Visa Portugal Guide

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Coming to Portugal is the answer for your thoughts. Portugal, a safe and culturally rich country, has been attracting entrepreneurs and foreigners due to its affordable cost of living and warm attitude.

The Golden Visa Portugal or 'Autorização de Residência para Investimento' (Residence Permit for Investiment) - ARI Process, is the perfect option for those who intend to have Portugal as a second (or third!) home in a tax-friendly country while investing in its culture, science or business world.

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Portugal rating from Lusolynk

⭐️ Overall Living

92%

💶 Cost of living

78%

💻 Internet

95%

👍 Safety

91%

👥 Community score

85%

Quick resume about D9 Visa Portugal

⏳ Time for Application:

Processing time: 9 to 12 months*

*Highly depending of the processing times of the country in which you are applying.

💶 Financial Requirements:

✅ Minimum investment in eligible areas: 250,000€

Who is this visa for?

☑️ Qualified foreign investors

Individuals willing to make substantial financial investments in Portugal.

🏠 High net worth individuals

Those seeking to establish Portugal as a second home while benefiting from its tax-friendly environment.

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🟦 Fast Application 🟢 Easy to get ⭐ Most popular Visa

Get to know the Golden Visa Portugal

Commonly known as Golden Visa Portugal, the 'Autorização de Residência para Investimento', is officially a residence permit for investment activity (ARI), provides valid Portuguese residence to non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens who wish to invest in Portugal

What is a Golden visa?

Anyone who is a qualified foreign investor willing to invest in the country can apply for the Portugal Golden Visa. Despite no longer accepting investments in real estate, there are a wide range of options to choose from and enjoy the several benefits of a Portuguese visa.

What are the benefits of the Portugal Golden visa?

The Golden visa enables you to come to Portugal and travel within the Schengen Area without the need for additional visas or time constraints, while also investing in a stable economy.

Another significant advantage of choosing Portugal on a Golden Visa (sometimes mentioned as D9 visa) is enjoying the low-cost Portuguese education and medical services. After five years, you and any family members who accompanied you during your application can apply for Portuguese nationality and lifetime residence rights.

This visa also has a reduced threshold for time spent in the country. You only need to stay 7 days in the country to keep the visa valid.

What are the main requirements for the Golden visa?

You must not be a citizen of the EU, EA, or Switzerland, have no criminal convictions, invest at least 250.000 euros in one of the eligible investment areas, and spend at least 7 days per year in Portugal.

What qualifies as an eligible investment area for my Golden visa?

There are varied options, in a wide range of areas, that must be kept during five years. They are:

→ Job creation ＋

Creating 10 full-time positions in a company that you own. ⚠️ Eight jobs if located in a low-density area.

→ Arts and culture ＋

Donating or investing at least €250,000 in qualified projects related to Portuguese arts, national heritage, or culture. ⚠️ The project must be pre-approved by the Portuguese government. ⚠️ €200,000 if located in low density area.

→ Company system ＋

Either start a company in Portugal with a share capital of €500,000 and create five permanent jobs, or increase the share capital of an existing Portuguese company by €500,000 while creating five full-time positions.

→ Science research ＋

Invest €500,000 in research activities carried out by either private or public scientific research organizations linked to the national scientific or technological system. ⚠️ €400,000 if located in low density area.

→ Arts and culture ＋

Who can I bring as a dependent on my Golden visa Portugal application?

You can bring:

1. Your spouse or civil partner.

2. Your minor children (above 18 qualifies if enrolled in a Portuguese educational facility).

3. Dependent parents (when included at your tax return or under your care).

4. Anyone whom you or your spouse may have legal guardianship (like disabled children or family members under your care, siblings you may have legal guardianship, adopted children).

What will I need to present with my ARI Portugal application?

For the successful issuance of your D9 Golden visa, you will need to provide several necessary documents. Prior to your arrival in Portugal, it is necessary to submit specific documents, such as the NIF, to the officials.

How can I get ready for my Golden visa application?

Proper planning is essential for an effective D9 golden visa application.

1 Register for a NIF Portugal for your Golden visa. ＋

This document is a paper, short version of the checklist we are providing here. This is the official document from the Portuguese government!
You must check all the boxes from this list before arriving to your Visa Interview.
Tips: You can download the digital nomad visa checklist from our application.

2 Check your passport expiry date ＋

Give evidence to demonstrate that you have invested the necessary amount required.
We can help you on that, contact us on the chat to have more information.

3 Double-check the validity date on your passport. ＋

To begin your new life in Portugal, you must obtain an NIF, also known as a "Número de Identificação Fiscal" or Tax Identification Number 🫡.
⚠️ A NIF will be required for your Visa application, to secure a place and to open a Portuguese bank account.
What precisely is a NIF? The NIF represents your Portuguese tax identification number. It's a simple and straightforward approach to identify yourself for tax purposes in Portugal. 💸

4 Book your Visa Interview ＋

It's essential that you find the right application center as early as possible in the process, and that you consider its specifics!
For our customers: If you need help finding your application center, please don't hesitate to contact us - we'll be happy to point you in the direction of the most suitable center for you.

How can I apply for the Portuguese Golden visa?

To apply for the Golden Visa, take the following steps:

1. Gather the required documents: You have already seen the step-by-step instructions! Gather all of the necessary documents, such as proof of income, lodging information, and travel insurance.

2. To complete the visa application process, ensure that you fill out the application form accurately.

3. Submit your visa application with AIMA.

⚠️ Whenever you're having questions about your documentation, our Visa Dossier Review service is available to assist. Our qualified attorneys will review your documents, approve them, and make any necessary corrections.

Which documents should I include in my Golden visa application?

1. Portuguese NIF;

2. Portuguese bank account;

3. Copy of a valid passport with six months of validity;

4. Proof of investment;

5. Document confirming status with tax authority;

6.Document confirming status with Social Security;

7. Bank declaration confirming funds transfer;

8. Declaration of honor declaring investment timeline;

9. Portuguese travel insurance covering up to 50,000 euros and repatriation;

10. Criminal record check from previous countries (where you lived for one year or more);

11. Visa Fee.

⚠️ Due to the nature and amount of the investment, we highly recommend you consult with a lawyer to guide you through the process and assure an effective investment, besides guiding you and scheduling AIMA responsabilities.

How much is my Golden visa fee?

For single applicants, the cost ranges between €5,000 and €8,000. Dependents under the age of 18 can be included in the application free of charge. Dependants range from €500 to €2,000.

How is the timeline for my Golden visa?

You submit the visa application and supporting documentation electronically to AIMA. Once they have approved your application, you must attend an in-person interview at AIMA. You and all of your dependents can schedule an AIMA appointment at the same time as the main applicant.

After that, you will have to wait between 9 and 12 months for the issuance of your residence permit. Once issued, the initial permit is valid for two years.

What is AIMA?

Previously called 'SEF - Serviços de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras' (Immigration and Borders Service), AIMA, 'Agência para an Integração, Migrações e Asilo' (or Agency for Integration, Migration, and Asylum), is the agency in charge of dealing with foreigners in Portugal, including their entry, exit, and legalization.

How long is my Golden visa residency card valid?

Your original residence card will be good for two years.

After my residence card expires, how do I renew it and how long will it be valid?

Follow the identical steps for your first AIMA residence permit, but with updated paperwork, and consult the chart below to determine the duration period.

Duration since issue	Minimum stay in Portugal	Renewal period	Renovation qualification
2 years	7 days per year	End of 2nd Year	Residency card with 2 years
2 years	7 days per year	End of 2nd Year (or 4th year in total)	Residency card with 2 years
2 years	7 days per year	End of 2nd Year (or 6th year in total)	Permanent residency card

The Path to Citizenship

Only five years after receiving your Golden Visa, you can apply for Portuguese citizenship. This will provide you the flexibility to travel throughout the EEA and live in any nation inside the EU, EEA, or Switzerland.

What are the prerequisites for citizenship with a Portugal Golden visa?

To meet the requirements, you must have legal residency in Portugal for either five consecutive years or five non-consecutive years within the previous 15 years. In addition, you must have an A2 level competence in Portuguese and a clean criminal record in both Portugal and any previous countries where you have lived, and ties with Portugal (like an investment).

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