At Almeida & Associados, we support clients at every stage of the Golden Visa process, from the initial assessment of the investor’s profile and the most suitable investment option to the submission of the application, biometrics, issuance of the residence permit, renewals, and the eventual pathway to Portuguese citizenship.

What is the Golden Visa in Portugal

Created by the Portuguese State in 2012, the Golden Visa, officially known as the Residence Permit for Investment (ARI), is a residence-by-investment scheme aimed at citizens from countries outside the European Union.

The program was designed to:

• attract foreign investment to Portugal

• allow international investors to establish a stable legal connection with the country and the European area

Under this scheme, a foreign national who makes a qualifying investment may obtain authorization to:

• reside in Portugal

• work in Portugal

• study in Portugal

The residence permit also allows free movement within the Schengen Area.

Family members of the investor may be included in the process through family reunification, ensuring the same rights as the main applicant.

7 days

Minimum stay in Portugal during the first year of residence.

14 days

Minimum stay during each subsequent two-year period.

This flexibility allows many investors to maintain their primary residence or professional activity in other countries without losing the benefits associated with residence in Portugal.

In many cases, this limited stay also means that the investor does not meet the legal criteria to be considered a tax resident in Portugal, remaining subject to the tax regime of the country where their primary tax residence is established.

Assess whether the Golden Visa is suitable for your case

Our team can analyze your investor profile and the available investment options.

Currently eligible investment options

The Golden Visa regime currently provides five main investment routes:

5

Incorporation or capitalization of a commercial company

Minimum investment of €500,000 in the incorporation of a company based in Portugal, combined with the creation of at least 5 permanent jobs.

⚠️ Following legislative changes introduced in recent years, real estate investment is no longer an eligible route for the Golden Visa.

For this reason, any investment strategy must be structured in accordance with the current legal framework.

Who can apply for the Golden Visa

The Golden Visa is intended for so-called third-country nationals, meaning individuals who are not citizens of:

• a Member State of the European Union

• the European Economic Area

• Switzerland

In addition, applicants must meet the applicable legal requirements, namely:

• make an eligible investment as defined by law

• maintain the investment for the required period

• comply with applicable immigration rules

• have no relevant legal impediments, such as certain criminal convictions

In many cases, family members may also be included in the process under Portuguese family reunification rules.

Assess the Golden Visa options available for your case

How the process works in practice

The Golden Visa process involves several administrative steps in Portugal.

In general, the procedure can be summarized as follows:

1. Initial preparation

It is necessary to set up the administrative framework in Portugal, including obtaining a Portuguese tax number (NIF) and opening a bank account.

2. Making the investment

Once the administrative structure is in place, the qualifying investment is carried out according to the chosen option.

3. Submission of the application

After gathering all required documentation, the residence permit application is submitted online to the competent authorities.

4. Biometrics

Once the application is reviewed, a visit to Portugal is scheduled for the collection of biometric data with AIMA.

5. Issuance of the residence permit

After final approval and payment of applicable fees, the residence permit card is issued, initially valid for two years.

The role of Almeida & Associados

At Almeida & Associados, we provide legal assistance to investors and families seeking to benefit from Portugal’s residence-by-investment regime.

Our involvement begins with an initial assessment of the investor’s profile and the available investment options, in order to identify the most suitable solution for each case.

From there, we support clients throughout all stages of the process, including:

• preparation of documentation

• structuring of the investment

• submission of the application to Portuguese authorities

• ongoing administrative follow-up

• preparation for the biometrics stage

• support with subsequent renewals

In addition to the Golden Visa process, our team also provides assistance with related matters that frequently arise in this context, such as:

• tax matters

• corporate matters

• real estate issues

• Portuguese citizenship applications

Our goal is to provide clients with comprehensive and well-informed support throughout the entire process, from the initial investment decision to the later stages of residence.