Guide · updated July 2026

The Portugal golden visa, explained straight.

The golden visa grants Portuguese residency to investors and their families. Since real estate left the programme in 2023, the principal route is a qualifying investment of €500,000 in regulated Portuguese funds, with cultural contributions and company creation as alternatives. Average required presence: about seven days a year.

Praia do Guincho · photo Alvesgaspar, CC BY-SA

What it gives

A residence permit for you and your family that behaves, day to day, almost like citizenship: the right to live, work, study and build in Portugal, access to public health and education, and visa-free movement across the Schengen area. Of the rights that matter in practice, only the vote is missing.

Unlike almost every other residence permit in Europe, the golden visa does not ask you to move your life. It was designed for families who want a European base and an option, not an emigration.

What it asks

The routes in force are set by law and they change. Real estate is gone since 2023; anyone still selling it is selling the past. We confirm the current routes and figures, with sources, in a free consultation.

The routes in force

Exact amounts, conditions and eligibility are stated in the legislation in force and confirmed at source before you commit to anything.

Who it suits

Families who want the option of Europe without moving their lives; parents planning education and mobility for their children; entrepreneurs who want a base inside the European market; and anyone who watched a simpler route close and prefers to act while this one is open.

How we work

One free hour first: your situation, the programmes in force, the honest timeline. If you proceed, the legal file sits with independent Portuguese counsel under professional privilege, and we handle everything around it: the investment landing, the company, the people, the ninety days. Fees are disclosed before we begin.

Asked constantly

Three answers before the conversation.

Is real estate still a route to the golden visa?

No. Real estate left the programme in October 2023. The principal route today is a qualifying investment of €500,000 through regulated Portuguese funds; cultural contributions and company creation are the main alternatives. Older pages still selling property routes are out of date.

Can the whole family be included in one application?

Yes. The spouse or partner and dependent children are included, and in defined cases dependent parents as well. One qualifying investment covers the family; each member receives a residence permit. Exact family rules are confirmed with sources in consultation.

How long does the process take?

Longer than the brochures say. Processing backlogs at the immigration agency are real and measured in many months. We say this up front because it is true, and because the sensible response is to start earlier, not to wait for a faster year.

One conversation

An hour on your case, free, with sources.

Bring your questions; we bring the legislation in force and the honest timeline. If the golden visa is not right for you, we will say so and show you what is.

Book your free consultation