Golden Visas: Key Laws and Requirements for Portugal

What is Immigration?

Immigration is the legal process of entering and living in Portugal for work, study, family, investment, or retirement. In Portugal, it covers visas, temporary and permanent residence permits, and eventual citizenship under a framework set by Law 23/2007 and the Nationality Law 37/81.

In practice, immigration starts outside Portugal at a Portuguese consulate with a visa application for stays over 90 days. After arrival, you complete residence formalities in Portugal with AIMA, I.P. (Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo), which replaced SEF for most immigration services.

Why Might You Need Legal Help with Immigration?

You may need a lawyer to choose the correct route, prepare compliant documents, and navigate AIMA scheduling and consular requirements. Lawyers also help calculate total cost, explain physical presence rules versus tax residency, and avoid delays or refusals.

Portuguese immigration relies on statutory criteria and strict evidence: income thresholds, criminal record certificates with apostille, sworn translations, health insurance, and financial documentation. There have been several recent changes, including the end of real-estate Golden Visas (Law 56/2023) and the operational transition from SEF to AIMA, which makes experienced local guidance valuable.

How Does the Immigration Process Work?

For most people, the process is: pick the right visa, apply at a consulate, enter Portugal with your visa, then obtain a residence card from AIMA. After 5 years of legal residence you can apply for permanent residence or citizenship if you meet the criteria.

1. Choose your route:
   • D-visa categories (work D1, highly qualified D3 or EU Blue Card, entrepreneur D2, passive income D7, digital nomad D8, study, family reunification D6) or the investment route (ARI - Golden Visa).
2. Get a Portuguese tax number (NIF) and, if relevant, open a bank account to demonstrate funds. The NIF is issued by Autoridade Tributária e Aduaneira (AT).
3. Collect documents:
   • Criminal record certificates from countries where you lived for more than 1 year in the past 5 years, apostilled under the Hague Convention.
   • Proof of income or investment, accommodation (rental or ownership), health insurance, and civil status documents.
   • Certified translations into Portuguese as needed.
4. Apply for a visa at a Portuguese consulate or through VFS Global where applicable. Typical decisions take 60-90 days, sometimes up to 120 days.
5. Enter Portugal and attend your AIMA appointment (biometrics, originals, and fees). Card issuance usually takes several weeks to a few months after biometrics.
6. Maintain residence and renew:
   • Temporary residence cards are typically valid for 2 years, renewable. Golden Visa cards are valid for 2 years with specific stay rules.
   • Comply with physical presence: standard permits generally should not exceed 6 consecutive or 8 total months of absence per permit period, unless justified. The Golden Visa allows low physical presence (see below).
7. After 5 years of legal residence, consider:
   • Permanent residence (Autorização de Residência Permanente) or
   • Citizenship by naturalization under Law 37/81, requiring Portuguese A2 language (CIPLE A2), clean criminal record criteria, and ties to Portugal.

What are the Specific Portugal Legal Requirements?

Portugal’s requirements depend on the route, but every applicant needs a valid passport, clean criminal record, proof of means and accommodation, and health insurance for the visa stage. Investment routes have minimums and due diligence, while work or income-based routes have set thresholds.

Below are the most common paths and what they require.

• D7 Passive Income or Retirement:
  • Stable passive income (pensions, rentals, dividends) generally meeting at least the Portuguese minimum wage per month for the main applicant, plus 50 percent for spouse and 30 percent per dependent child.
  • Accommodation in Portugal (lease or ownership), NIF, and bank statements showing funds to support yourself.
  • Total cost estimate: consular fee around EUR 90-150 per person, AIMA card fees around EUR 170-300 per adult, translations/apostilles EUR 200-500, legal fees commonly EUR 1,500-3,000 for a family dossier.
• D8 Digital Nomad:
  • Remote work or self-employment for non-Portuguese entities with monthly income of at least 4 times the national minimum wage. In 2024 this equated to about EUR 3,280 per month; check the current year’s wage.
  • Employment or service contracts, company registration, and proof of ongoing activity.
  • Total cost: similar to D7 for government fees, with legal fees often EUR 1,500-3,000.
• D2 Entrepreneur or Independent Professional:
  • Business plan aligned to Portuguese economic activity, company incorporation or proof of services, and sufficient means to operate. Share capital often set between EUR 5,000-10,000 for credibility.
  • Evidence of clients, contracts, or innovation value; sometimes support from incubators adds weight.
  • Total cost: government fees similar to D7, plus company formation and taxes; legal fees often EUR 3,000-6,000 depending on complexity.
• D3 Highly Qualified / EU Blue Card:
  • Higher education and a Portuguese work contract meeting salary thresholds. Blue Card has EU-wide standards; D3 is Portugal’s national scheme for highly qualified roles.
  • Recognition of qualifications may be required; check Ordem professional bodies if applicable.
• Family Reunification (D6):
  • Spouses, minor children, dependent adult children, and dependent parents can reunify if the sponsor holds valid residence and has means and accommodation.
  • Civil registry documents legalized and translated; family ties must be proven.
• Investment - ARI (Golden Visa):
  • Real estate is no longer eligible under Law 56/2023. Current eligible routes include:
    • Investment of at least EUR 500,000 in qualifying investment funds or venture capital funds regulated by CMVM.
    • EUR 500,000 in research activities by public or private scientific institutions.
    • EUR 250,000 to support artistic production or cultural heritage (often lower in low-density areas).
    • Company creation with 10 jobs, or capital injection of EUR 500,000 into a Portuguese company plus creation or maintenance of at least 5 permanent jobs for 3 years.
  • Physical presence: average of 7 days per year during each 2-year validity period.
  • Government fees are high: initial analysis fee roughly EUR 533 per applicant plus an issuance fee above EUR 5,000 per person, with renewals around half of issuance. Expect legal fees of EUR 6,000-12,000 for the main applicant and EUR 2,000-5,000 per dependent, plus bank, translation, and fund subscription fees.
  • Total cost example for a family of 3 using a EUR 500,000 fund:
    • Investment: EUR 500,000 (plus fund setup/subscription fees often 1-3 percent upfront and annual management fees).
    • Government fees: approximately EUR 12,000-18,000 total for the family at application and card issuance.
    • Legal and ancillaries: EUR 10,000-20,000 depending on scope, translations, and KYC.

Residency vs citizenship: Portugal offers residency-by-investment (RBI) via the ARI but no citizenship-by-investment. Citizenship generally follows after 5 years of legal residence under Law 37/81 if you meet language and good-conduct requirements.

Physical presence vs tax residency: meeting immigration presence rules does not automatically make you a tax resident. You typically become a tax resident if you stay 183+ days in a year or have a habitual home in Portugal on 31 December. Always get tax advice before relocating assets or income streams.

How does Portugal compare to other popular investor options?

Here is a high-level comparison focused on total cost, presence, and whether the program is RBI or CBI. Always verify current laws before applying.

Industry shift: Across Europe, programs are moving away from classic real estate toward regulated funds and productive investments. Portugal’s 2023 changes are a prime example, making professional fund due diligence and manager selection critical.

What Portugal Laws and Regulations Apply?

Portugal’s immigration law is centered on Law 23/2007 of 4 July (Lei de Estrangeiros), as amended, and Regulatory Decree 84/2007, which sets procedures and documentation. The Nationality Law is Law 37/81, as amended, for citizenship after residence.

Key recent changes and bodies:

• Law 56/2023 (Mais Habitação) ended Golden Visa real estate and classic capital transfer options, refocusing ARI on funds, research, culture, and job creation.
• AIMA, I.P. officially took over most immigration functions from SEF between late 2023 and 2024. Borders are policed by PSP/GNR; AIMA manages residence permits and integration.
• CMVM (Comissão do Mercado de Valores Mobiliários) regulates funds eligible for ARI investments.
• Autoridade Tributária e Aduaneira (AT) issues NIFs and administers tax residency rules.
• Law 37/81 (as amended by Law 38/2023) improved the counting of residence time toward citizenship in cases of administrative delay, helping applicants affected by backlog.
• Hague Apostille Convention applies to document legalization; translations must be certified for use in Portugal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Portugal Golden Visa still available in 2025?

Yes, but without real estate. Since Law 56/2023, eligible options include qualifying funds, research, culture, and job-creating company investments, with a minimum of EUR 500,000 for funds and EUR 250,000 for culture.

How much time do I need to spend in Portugal to keep my residence?

For most temporary residence permits, avoid being absent more than 6 consecutive or 8 total months during the card’s validity unless justified. For the Golden Visa, the rule is an average of about 7 days per year across each 2-year period.

Do I become a Portuguese tax resident just by holding a residence card?

No. You usually become a tax resident if you stay 183+ days in a year or have a habitual home on 31 December. Immigration status and tax status are separate, so get tax advice before moving assets or spending extended time in Portugal.

What are the main D-visa options and income thresholds?

D7 requires stable passive income around the national minimum wage per month for the main applicant, with add-ons for family. D8 requires monthly income equal to 4 times the minimum wage from remote work or self-employment; D2 focuses on a viable business plan and company setup.

How long until I can apply for Portuguese citizenship?

Generally after 5 years of legal residence under Law 37/81. You need A2 level Portuguese, a clean criminal record under Portuguese standards, and continued ties to Portugal.

Can I include my family on my application?

Yes. Spouses, minor children, dependent adult children, and dependent parents are commonly eligible for family reunification if you have means and accommodation. Golden Visa investors can add family members as dependents with separate government fees.

What is the “total cost” to immigrate to Portugal?

For standard D visas, government fees are usually under EUR 500 per adult, plus translations, apostilles, and legal fees from EUR 1,500-6,000 depending on complexity. For the Golden Visa, expect EUR 500,000 investment plus government fees exceeding EUR 5,000 per applicant and higher legal and fund costs.

What changed when SEF became AIMA?

AIMA, I.P. now handles residence permits, scheduling, and integration policies. The transition created backlogs in some regions, so plan for longer lead times from visa issuance to AIMA biometrics and card delivery.

Can I work in Portugal on D7 or Golden Visa?

Yes. D7 and Golden Visa residence permits allow you to live and work in Portugal, though your initial D7 application focuses on passive income. Ensure you register with tax and social security when you start Portuguese employment or business.

Does Portugal still have a special tax regime for newcomers?

The Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) regime closed to most new entrants at the end of 2023, with transitional and new-targeted incentives for certain scientific and innovation roles. Ask a Portuguese tax advisor about current incentives applicable to your profile.

When Should You Hire a Lawyer?

Hire a lawyer as soon as you are deciding the route to avoid missteps and to correctly calculate total cost. Good timing is critical because consulate visa slots, AIMA appointments, and fund subscriptions often require coordination.

Legal counsel is especially useful if you have complex finances, multiple nationalities or residences, prior visa refusals, criminal record disclosures, or if you are choosing an ARI fund. Lawyers vet fund eligibility, confirm CMVM regulation, and align the investment with immigration timing.

What are the Next Steps?

Define your goal: residency flexibility for travel, a relocation with work, or a path to EU citizenship. Then pick the visa category that fits your income, work, or investment plan.

1. Consult a Portugal-focused immigration lawyer to confirm eligibility and total cost, including government fees, taxes, and professional fees.
2. Secure a NIF and, if applicable, a Portuguese bank account. Prepare accommodation (lease or purchase) and health insurance.
3. Compile documents: criminal records with apostille, income proofs, marriage and birth certificates, and certified translations.
4. Submit the visa at the Portuguese consulate or VFS and track the 60-90 day timeline.
5. Travel to Portugal, attend AIMA biometrics, pay issuance fees, and collect your residence card.
6. Comply with presence rules, renew on time, and keep records that will support permanent residence or citizenship after 5 years.

Tip: For ARI fund investments, perform due diligence on the fund’s strategy, CMVM registration, liquidity, fees, and exit mechanisms. Given the shift away from real estate after Law 56/2023, fund selection now drives both immigration success and financial outcomes.