Golden Visas FAQs
Read our frequent asked questions about getting a Golden Visa in Portugal, and speak to one of our experts.
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Which quantitative requirements must be fulfilled by an investor to enable him / her applying for an ARI / Golden Visa?
The minimum quantitative requirement is deemed fulfilled when one of the following conditions is met in national territory:
- Capital transfer with a value equal to or above 1 million Euros;
- The creation of, at least, 10 job* positions;
- The purchase of real estate property with a value equal to or above 500 thousand Euros*;
- The purchase of real estate property, with construction dating back more than 30 years or located in urban regeneration areas, for refurbishing, for a total value equal to or above 350 thousand Euros*;
What are the minimum time requirements for the investment activity (i.e. how long does it have to continue?)
The minimum time requirement for maintaining the investment is five (5) years, from the date of issuance of the first Residence Permit.
What are the requirements in terms of cautionary measures and documents?
All of those interested in obtaining ARI/Golden Visa are, cumulatively, subject to a number of cautionary measures, whereby they may not:
- have been convicted of an offense punishable in Portugal with penalty involving – deprivation of liberty of more than one year;
- have been banned from entering national territory, following expulsion from the country;
- have had an alert in their name issued in SIS (listed person);
- have had an alert in their name issued in SEF’s Integrated System.
All of those interested in obtaining ARI/Golden Visa are, cumulatively, subject to a number of document requisites, whereby they have to:
- Hold a valid passport;
- Hold a Schengen Visa, when applicable, and legalize their entry with SEF within 90 days from the date of their first entry in Portugal;
- Deliver a criminal record issued by their country of origin and by the country where they have been residing for more than one year;
- Up‐to‐date declarations issued by the Portuguese Tax Authorities and by the Portuguese Social Security confirming the absence of any debts to those entities;
- Affidavit, signed by the applicant, undertaking the responsibility of fulfilling the requirements correlated to the investment activity conducted in national territory;
- Health insurance;
- Receipt of ARI application fee (EUR 520.40/investor | EUR 81.10/each family member).
- Any document that is not written in Portuguese must be translated by a translator recognized by the Portuguese diplomatic or consular post at the country of origin, and then authenticated by that same authority or by the Hague’s Apostille.
More about Documents for ARI/Golden Visa.
As ARI holder, what family members may benefit from this same scheme, where and when may I apply for family reunification, and how much does it cost?
The following are considered conventional relatives:
- Spouse;
- Minor children and incapacitated children under the custody of the couple or of one spouse; Children who have been adopted by an unmarried applicant, or by a married applicant or by his / her spouse, provided such adoption was authorized by the relevant authority of the country of origin and has the same legal effects to those of natural children, and that such decision is recognized in Portugal;
- Children of age, who are dependent on both or one parent, provided they are single and studying in an education establishment, regardless of the Country in which that establishment is located;
- First degree ascendants (parents) of the applicant or of the spouse, provided they are dependent;
- Minor siblings, under the custody of the applicant by order of a legal decision by the relevant authorities of the country of origin, if such order is recognized in Portugal;
The following are considered relatives resulting from non‐marital partnership:
- Life partner, with registered partnership under the law, either in national territory or abroad; Minor, single or incapacitated children, including children who have been adopted by the life‐partner who has been given legal custody over those children.
Family reunification can be applied at the same time as the main application or at a later stage, according to the preference of the investor. In any case, it is always dependent on the decision on the application of ARI.
What means of proof are accepted for renewing ARI?
In order to renew his/her ARI permit, the investor shall:
- Submit the means of evidence required according to the type of investment made;
- Provide up‐to‐date declarations issued by the Portuguese Tax Authorities and by the Portuguese Social Security confirming the absence of any debts to those entities;
- Have a health insurance, if living in Portugal and not covered by the social security system in Portugal;
- Show evidence of the minimum period of permanence (7 days in the first year and 14 days in the subsequent periods of two years, consecutive or unsequential);
- Exhibit a valid passport and flight tickets or proof of accommodation;
- Provide an affidavit, stating that the applicant will comply with the minimum quantitative requirements and with the minimum investment time of the investment activity.
