# Portugal Golden Visa and property: what qualifies today Buying a home in Portugal no longer leads to a Golden Visa. Other routes do, for non-EU nationals, and we help you choose between them. Answer and evidence ## Can buying property in Portugal get me a Golden Visa? No. Real estate was removed from the Portuguese Golden Visa (ARI) in 2023, and no property purchase qualifies today. The routes that do qualify start at EUR 250,000 for arts and cultural heritage support and EUR 500,000 for a qualifying investment fund, and that fund may not invest in real estate. You can still buy a home in Portugal, but it will not count. - 01 Real estate no longer qualifies for the Golden Visa [AIMA](https://aima.gov.pt/pt/viver/autorizacao-de-residencia-para-investimento-art-90-o-a)*OFFICIAL* 29 October 2026 - 02 Qualifying investment fund from EUR 500,000 [AIMA](https://aima.gov.pt/pt/viver/autorizacao-de-residencia-para-investimento-art-90-o-a)*OFFICIAL* 29 October 2026 The routes that lead to a Portuguese Golden Visa ## What qualifies for the Portugal Golden Visa instead of property? The Portugal Golden Visa now rewards investment in Portuguese business, research and culture rather than property, and AIMA states that the investment activity may not go directly or indirectly into real estate. Compare the routes by how much involvement and job creation each asks of you, not only by its minimum. Figures as held in our data, checked against AIMA. | Route | Minimum | Condition | | --- | --- | --- | | Investment fund | EUR 500,000 | Units in a qualifying fund that does not invest in real estate | | Arts and cultural heritage | EUR 250,000 | Support for cultural or heritage projects | | Company formation or capital increase | EUR 500,000 | With 5 jobs created | | Scientific research | EUR 500,000 | Research by public or private institutions | | Job creation | No minimum amount | At least 10 jobs created | Government fees apply on top. From choosing a route to residence card ## How do you get a Portugal Golden Visa without buying property? A Portugal Golden Visa without property starts with choosing a qualifying route, making the investment and applying to AIMA, followed by biometrics and the residence card. In practice the process takes 12 to 18 months, because AIMA publishes no processing time and its caseload varies, so plan your family's timing with that range in mind. - **Choose a route** We compare the qualifying routes against your goals, from arts and cultural heritage support at EUR 250,000 to a qualifying investment fund at EUR 500,000. - **Invest and gather documents** The investment is made, and you gather criminal record certificates, proof of the investment and health cover for each applicant. - **Apply** The application is filed through AIMA's ARI portal, and AIMA carries out its review and background checks. - **Biometrics and residence card** AIMA schedules a biometrics appointment in Portugal, and the residence card follows approval. - **Renew** The first renewal comes after 2 years: you show that the investment is maintained and that you met the minimum stay of 7 days in the first year and 14 days in each later two-year period. What the permit gives your family ## What does the Portugal Golden Visa give you and your family? The Portugal Golden Visa gives non-EU investors a residence permit with the right to live and work in Portugal, valid for two years at first and renewable, with a short minimum stay. Naturalisation is a separate step, after 10 years of legal residence for most nationalities under the law in force since May 2026. ### Live and work in Portugal The permit gives you the right to live and work in Portugal, with a minimum stay of 7 days in the first year and 14 days in each later two-year period. ### Schengen travel You can travel across the Schengen area without a visa for short stays, up to 90 days in any 180. ### Your family Family reunification can cover your spouse, children under 18, unmarried dependent children aged 18 to 25 who are studying, and dependent parents of you or your spouse. Questions ## What do people ask about property in Portugal? Portugal Golden Visa enquirers ask most whether property still counts, what the minimum is now, who is eligible and how long citizenship takes. In short, no property purchase qualifies, routes start at EUR 250,000, the programme is for non-EU nationals, and naturalisation is a separate step after 10 years of legal residence for most nationalities. ### Does buying property in Portugal give residence? Not through the Golden Visa: real estate no longer qualifies. Qualifying routes start at EUR 250,000, and the fund route starts at EUR 500,000. ### How much do I have to spend on property in Portugal to get a Golden Visa? No amount qualifies. Real estate was removed from the Portuguese Golden Visa in 2023, so the price of a home makes no difference to your eligibility. You can still buy a home in Portugal, but it will not count towards the permit. ### What is the minimum investment for the Portugal Golden Visa now? EUR 250,000 for arts and cultural heritage support, and EUR 500,000 for a qualifying investment fund, a company route with 5 jobs created or scientific research. A route based on creating at least 10 jobs has no minimum amount. ### Can a Golden Visa fund invest in property? No. A qualifying fund must not invest in real estate, directly or indirectly. ### Who can apply for the Portugal Golden Visa? Nationals of countries outside the European Union, the European Economic Area and Switzerland. Citizens of those countries already have the right to live in Portugal and do not use the programme. ### What does the Portugal Golden Visa cost in government fees? Government fees are charged per person, for you and for each family member, under AIMA's fee table, for the application, the grant of the permit and each renewal. They come on top of the investment, which itself does not rise with the size of your family. A specialist confirms the current total for your family. ### How long must I stay in Portugal to keep the Golden Visa? At least 7 days in the first year and 14 days in each later two-year period. You also keep the qualifying investment in place and renew the permit on time. ### Does the Portugal Golden Visa lead to citizenship? Not directly. The Golden Visa is a residence permit. Naturalisation is a separate application after 10 years of legal residence for most nationalities, or 7 years for CPLP nationals, with Portuguese language and culture requirements, a clean record and the means of subsistence. ### How do I start with Mirabello Consultancy? Book a free consultation with Mirabello Consultancy through our contact form or WhatsApp, in any of our 11 languages. A specialist reviews your goals, family and budget, compares the qualifying routes and sets out the next steps before you commit any money. Official references - [AIMA: residence permit for investment (ARI)](https://aima.gov.pt/pt/viver/autorizacao-de-residencia-para-investimento-art-90-o-a) - [AIMA fee table](https://aima.gov.pt/media/pages/documents/dc677d0005-1772305205/tabela-de-taxas-e-demais-encargos-a-cobrar-pelos-procedimentos-administrativos.pdf) - [Portugal Golden Visa programme page](https://www.mirabelloconsultancy.com/immigration/portugal-golden-residence-permit) ## Considering Portugal? We compare the qualifying routes for your goals and handle the application. --- Source: Mirabello Consultancy, verified 2026-10-29, https://www.mirabelloconsultancy.com/real-estate-countries/portugal Free consultation: https://www.mirabelloconsultancy.com/contact-us-for-your-free-consultation Machine-readable data: Mirabello MCP https://mcp.mirabelloconsultancy.com